The grand ballroom of the Vance Estate was a sea of shimmering silk and clinking crystal. Hundreds of Northport's elite had gathered to witness the union of two corporate dynasties. In her previous life, Evelyn had spent this evening hiding in the corners, overwhelmed by the noise and Marcus's suffocating presence.
Tonight, she stood at the top of the marble staircase, looking down at the crowd like a general surveying a battlefield.
"There she is! The woman of the hour!" Marcus's voice boomed from the center of the room. He looked exactly as he did in the alleyway—handsome, polished, and utterly hollow.
As Evelyn descended, the crowd parted. She moved with a newfound grace, her heels clicking rhythmically against the stone. Marcus stepped forward, his arms open, a practiced "loving" smile on his face. He leaned in for a kiss, aiming for her lips to seal the image of the perfect couple for the nearby photographers.
Evelyn tilted her head at the last second, letting his lips graze her cheek.
"Careful, Marcus," she whispered, her voice cool as a mountain stream. "My makeup is far too fresh for such... enthusiasm. We wouldn't want to ruin the photos, would we?"
Marcus stiffened, his eyes flickering with a momentary flash of confusion. "Eve? You're acting... different."
"I feel different," she replied, offering a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
She scanned the room and spotted Sarah standing near the champagne fountain. Sarah was holding court with a group of wealthy socialites, intentionally tilting her head so the light caught the necklace around her neck. Evelyn's heart did a slow, painful roll. It was a delicate gold chain with a teardrop diamond—the exact piece Marcus had told Evelyn was being "repaired" for her.
"Sarah, dear!" Evelyn called out, moving toward the group.
Sarah turned, her smile widening. "Eve! Don't you look... bold tonight. That red is quite a choice."
"And your necklace is quite a choice as well," Evelyn said, loud enough for the surrounding women to hear. She reached out, her fingers hovering just inches from Sarah's throat. "Is that the 'Premium Cubic' line from the department store downtown? It looks so much like real diamonds from a distance."
The socialites leaned in, their eyes narrowing as they began to scrutinize the jewelry. Sarah's face turned a blotchy, panicked red. "What? No! Marcus gave me this as a—" She stopped, realizing she couldn't finish the sentence without admitting Marcus was buying his "sister-in-law" jewelry.
"Oh, don't be embarrassed," Evelyn chuckled, patting Sarah's arm. "It's a very clever imitation. Perfect for a crowded party where things might get lost. Marcus, darling, we should really get Sarah something real for her birthday, shouldn't we? It's a bit tragic for a Vance to wear... glass."
The whispers started immediately. Sarah looked as if she wanted to melt into the floorboards, while Marcus stood frozen, his "golden boy" mask cracking at the edges.
Evelyn took a sip of champagne, the bubbles cold against her throat. This was only the beginning.