Dicker

wn. Arlena had insisted on a quiet dinner at home, a brief respite before the "important event" she'd hinte

delicate fork across my plate of untouched

from her own plate. "Let them. The higher they fly, the

ered, the pain a raw knot in m

forgiveness. We will ensure they pay for every tear, every ounce of grief." Her voice hardened again, the matria

e buzzed again. It was a notification from a celebrity gossip site. Karly McLaughlin's official birthday bash. Live streamed, o

project manager who meticulously tracked every detail of Devin's life. I was Haley Dicke

ing. Devin, looking impeccably groomed, stood beside Karly, forcing a smile for

his unease. "It's my birthday! Smile for

through his contacts. He found my old number. Tried it. Straight to voicemail. Tried my

laced with venom. "She's probably still wallowing in self-pit

orted, a flash of defensiveness in his

nvenient. Now you have me. Someone with real connections, real influence!" She squeezed his arm,

crowd, a knot of anxiety tightening in his stomach. Wher

up to them, a look of faux concern on her face. "Karly, darling, are you alri

erwhelmed, darling. All this love! It's just so much!" She glanced at Dev

she's not coming? The, you know, the ex? Everyone's

how her face here." A flash of fear crossed her face, quickly masked by a predatory grin. "Unless... unl

e said, her voice sugary sweet. "My grandmother's antique emerald brooch. I left it

distracted. "Can't on

ly where it is. And I'm far too delicate right now." She gav

ease, nodded. "Of cours

ng, go tell everyone the brooch is missing! And that we need everyone to look for it. Especially in the 'staff only' areas. You know, wh

"Oh, Karly, you're brilliant!" She sc

missing! A priceless heirloom!" "Could it be... an intruder?" The atmosphere sh

e urge to cause trouble, to seek revenge. And now, she had set a perfect trap. She envisioned Ha

ooch clasped in his hand. "Got

eek. Her eyes, however, were fixed on the entrance to the ballr

d for the evening's main presenters. A figure began to descend, bathed in a soft, ethereal li

om-made, shimmering like moonlight on water. My hair, styled into elegant waves, framed a face that was both regal and ethereal. My eyes, once dull

. I descended the stairs, each step a deliberate, defiant statement. I wasn't just walking