Chapter 1 - The Latch of the Velvet Door
The lace of the off-the-shoulder gown rustled like dry leaves across the polished parquet floor.
Vanessa’s French-manicured nails curled into tight claws as she lunged across the golden aisle.
Her diamond drop earrings swung violently under the warm glow of the massive crystal chandeliers.
"Give me that phone!"
The scream sliced through the classical string quartet’s gentle melody, instantly killing the music.
Five feet away, six-year-old Lily shrank into the shadow of a floral pillar.
Her white flower-girl dress was already crumpled at the hem.
Her tiny hands, sticky with melted wedding cake frosting, clutched a black smartphone against her chest.
Vanessa took two jagged steps forward, her satin heels skidding on a stray white rose petal.
Her blonde hair, pinned in an elaborate bridal updo, began to unravel near the nape of her neck.
Lily didn't run.
She simply pressed her back harder against the carved wood of the ballroom door.
Her knees knocked together beneath the stiff tulle of her skirt.
The guests in the front row froze, champagne flutes suspended halfway to their lips.
A crystal glass slipped from an elder's fingers, shattering against the marble base of a brass candelabra.
No one moved to clean the glass.
Vanessa reached out, her thumb nearly grazing the phone's cracked camera lens.
Her teeth were bared, a red lipstick smudge streaking across her upper front tooth.
May you like
Lily squeezed her eyes shut and held her breath.
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