. A moment later, a soft knock came at the door. A young woman in a simpl

Maria. Mr. Carlisle sent me

ing the suffocating weight of the gown fall away. While Maria worke

bad?" she asked, feigning c

his good days and his bad days, madam. His health has bee

a frail, sickly husband hidden away in the East Wing. Chloe felt a flash of dark, private sat

ptable," Maria said, hanging the dress in a cavernou

table; it was a blessi

r now, not with her grandmother's life hanging in the balance. But she could

fore her life had been hijacked, she'd been on the verge of launching her own small collection. If she could wor

first she'd felt all

Chloe asked, "Is there internet access in the hou

re is a desk and computer in the adjoin

stronger. It w

or. The sun set, casting long shadows across the sprawling lawns. In the distance, the East Wing of

gure in the wheelchair. A twisted mind in a ruined body. A shiver traced its w

dustry news, trying to reconnect with the world she'd been torn from. A bitter, ironic laugh escaped her lips when she

o compete with. The thought didn't discourage her. It fuele

Let him stay sick, she thought, directing all her venom towards the dark East

mien had spent the evening dealing with the fallout from his brot

ting for him i

en asked, shruggin

uestions to the staff, her request for internet access,

omething el

aid carefully. "And Maria overheard her... talking

The air in the room seemed to drop ten degrees. So, his little bride wasn't

towards the West Wing. Towards

w, chilling whisper in the silent ha