CHAPTER 1: THE MAID WHO CALLED THE HEIRESS “SISTER”
The grand ballroom of Hawthorne Manor glittered beneath crystal chandeliers as the city’s elite gathered to celebrate Isabella Hawthorne’s twenty-fifth birthday.
Everything was perfect.
Until a silver serving tray crashed onto the marble floor.
A young maid stood frozen beside the head table, trembling as orange juice spread across the polished stone.
Before she could apologize, Isabella stepped forward and slapped her across the face.
The sound echoed through the ballroom.
Hundreds of guests watched in stunned silence.
Tears filled the maid’s eyes.
Then she whispered:
“Happy birthday... Isabella.”
The room remained silent.
The maid swallowed hard.
“Happy birthday... sister.”
A collective gasp swept through the crowd.
Isabella stared at her.
“What kind of joke is this?”
Without answering, the maid reached beneath her uniform and removed a small silver locket.
Inside was an old photograph.
Two little girls.
Standing together beside the fountain outside Hawthorne Manor.
Whispers spread instantly through the room.
Several older guests recognized the picture.
Then the maid turned toward Eleanor Hawthorne.
The powerful matriarch looked at the photograph and suddenly went pale.
“No...” she whispered.
The maid nodded.
May you like
“You told everyone I was gone.”
And for the first time that night, fear appeared in Eleanor Hawthorne’s eyes.
