Chapter 1 - THE HAND ON HER SHOULDER.
“You were never welcome in this family!”
Margaret Whitmore’s voice cut through the Charleston mansion before her hand landed on Grace’s shoulder.
Grace stood barefoot beside the upper balcony, dressed in pale-lilac pajamas after being dragged from bed to answer questions about a missing trust document. Three house employees watched from several feet away, too frightened to intervene.
Margaret leaned closer.
“You married Julian because you saw marble floors and decided poverty had finally apologized to you.”
Grace pulled away. Her foot slid across a loose satin sash lying beside the railing.
“Julian!”
She tipped over the inside edge.
Julian was already on the staircase. He lunged upward, caught Grace around her back and knees, and carried their momentum down the last two steps before dropping to one knee on the marble.
Grace remained conscious, gripping his shirt.
“Did she touch you?”
Grace looked toward the balcony.
“She knew I was standing near the edge.”
Julian lifted his eyes to Margaret.
“They all saw what happened.”
Margaret’s face went pale.
“That’s not what—”
One of the staff members stepped forward.
It was Rosa, the head housekeeper.
“She also put the sash there.”
May you like
The foyer went completely silent.
Then Rosa added, “And this is not the first woman she made fall.”
