Chapter 1 - The Slap“You will not humiliate me again!”
Adrian’s voice rang beneath the crystal chandelier.
Claire stood before him in an ivory satin gown, her small white handbag hanging from one hand.
Margaret watched from behind her son’s shoulder.
A faint, approving smile touched her lips.
Vanessa stood on the other side of the foyer in a black formal dress, silent and tense.
Adrian struck Claire once across the cheek.
The sound silenced the mansion.
Claire’s handbag fell beside her ivory heels. Its gold chain moved once against the marble.
She did not fall.
She did not scream.
She bent slowly, picked up the bag and stood straight again.
A small red mark appeared on her cheek.
Adrian looked almost disappointed that she had not broken down.
For four years, his family had called Claire too sensitive whenever she objected to their insults.
Margaret mocked the apartment where Claire grew up.
Adrian’s relatives joked that she had “married above her postal code.”
At family dinners, Claire was reminded that her mother had cleaned offices while Margaret’s ancestors had owned banks.
Adrian stepped closer.
“You embarrassed me in front of the board.”
Claire lifted her chin.
“I refused to sign a lie.”
“You are my wife.”
“That does not make my signature yours.”
Margaret’s smile disappeared.
Claire looked directly at Adrian.
“You just made the biggest mistake of your life.”
She walked toward the black double doors.
The uniformed attendant opened them without speaking.
Claire never looked back.
Inside the waiting car, she raised her phone.
“It’s time,” she said calmly. “Do exactly what we discussed.”
A man answered:
“Phase One?”
Claire looked toward the glowing mansion.
May you like
“All of it.”
Behind her, every light in the house went dark.
