Chapter 1 - The Weight of a Silver Ring
The silver ring on Evelyn’s right index finger caught the warm dining room light as her hand flew across the air.
SLAP.
The sharp, wet crack echoed against the high glass windows of the dining room.
Chloe’s head snapped sideways, a single strand of blonde hair sticking to the red mark bloom across her cheekbone.
A fresh, thin red scratch bled along her jawline where Evelyn’s diamond setting had scraped her skin.
At the center of the mahogany table, the roasted turkey sat surrounded by roasted carrots and silver gravy boats.
Steam rose quietly into the tense air.
Evelyn lifted her hand again, her pearl necklace bouncing against her maroon silk dress as her chin tilted upward.
Her lips curled into a faint, victorious smirk.
Before her palm could descend a second time, Chloe’s fingers shot up.
Chloe’s hand clamped like an iron vise around Evelyn’s wrinkled wrist.
The pearl bracelet on Evelyn’s arm clinked against her gold watch.
Chloe didn't flinch. She didn't blink.
The blue of her button-down shirt was crisp and ironed, contrasting sharply with the burning red mark on her face.
Chloe’s voice cut through the room, low, đanh thép, and entirely devoid of trembling.
May you like
"No. Never again."
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