arm, golden glow over the ballroom. The city's elite mingled in their finest silk and diamonds,

in on Jul

was pinned up, revealing the sharp angles of my cheekbones. The surgeons had done their work well. I looked lik

pt his hand on the small of my back, guiding me through the crowd with practiced ease. He was playing the part

en I s

soft and fragile. She was holding a glass of champagne, laughing at something a

ooking fo

crowd. Not in recognition. Not in suspicion. Just pure, territorial jealousy. The new woman on Julia

s mouth close to my ear. "Excuse me for a mome

ion perfectly neutral. From across the room, I watched Julian pull Victoria aside. She was speaking

wd, pretending to admire a floral ar

demanded, her voice tight. "Y

, his tone bored. "She's a business asso

toria said. "There's something off about h

ne who takes my attention away from

t... I don't trust her. She's too confident. Too

ing a sip of his champagne. "She's just h

Victoria stood alone by the bar, her eyes fixed on my face. She di

ictoria over to me. "Ms. Thorne, I'd

ut her eyes were sharp. "It's a pleasure to meet yo

iend was strange. We had shared secrets. We had held hands on my wedding day.

said, my voice calm and steady

oo long, her eyes scanning my face. "You k

think so. I have

. But there's something about yo

Perhaps you're jus

ost of the gala approached the stage. "Ladies and gentlem

the center of the ballroom. The crowd parted for me, their eyes following the woman in the em

an to

. A piece I had played for him in the evenings in the mansion, back when I was still his wife, back when I sti

to watch. Julian's face went slack with

. She didn't know the truth. She didn't think I was Lily. But the music was st

note and walked b

ful," he said, h

said. "I've b

e. Victoria threw her arms a

They landed on me. I was standing in the back, holding my

vince herself that she was imagining things. She was trying to convince herself that the

es never l