Chapter 1 - THE CRACK OF VELVET
A medium shot inside a luxurious jewelry store with warm, golden lighting.
A young woman with long dark hair, wearing a strapless emerald green dress and a matching emerald necklace, stands facing right in profile.
An elegant older woman with styled grey hair, wearing a beige suit and pearl necklace, stands facing her with an angry expression, her hand raised mid-slap.
The background features glass display cases and soft-focus classical architecture.
The camera is static.
The impact of flesh against skin sounded like a dry branch snapping under a heavy boot.
The force of the older woman’s palm sent the young woman’s head recoiling sharply to the left.
Long, dark hair whipped through the warm air, catching the golden illumination of the crystal chandeliers.
A bright, angry red welt immediately bloomed across the pale skin of her right cheek.
The young woman’s body swayed, her strapless emerald green gown rustling against the polished marble floor.
She did not stumble.
Her spine remained rigid, locked like an iron rod beneath the heavy fabric of her dress.
Across her collarbone, a massive emerald-and-diamond necklace caught the light, flashing a cold, hypnotic green fire.
The older woman lowered her hand, her knuckles trembling slightly inside the cuff of her immaculate beige suit.
The double strand of artificial pearls around her throat clicked together with the rhythm of chattering teeth.
Her styled grey updo did not have a single strand out of place.
Her chest rose and fell in rapid, furious spasms.
The velvet-lined display cases surrounding them seemed to close in, absorbing every ounce of air in the high-end boutique.
The older woman leaned forward, her eyes narrowing into dangerous, venomous slits.
She didn't look at the red swelling marring the young woman's face.
She looked entirely at the green stones resting against the girl's throat.
"Take it off."
The older woman’s voice was a low, brittle hiss that scraped against the glass showcases.
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"You don't deserve to wear our family's jewelry."
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