Chapter 1 - The Woman in Blue
The first scream cut through the ballroom before the orchestra finished its opening song.
"Dad! Don't let them take her away!"
Seven-year-old Theo Vale broke from his father's side and ran across the polished marble floor. His shoes slipped. His breath came in sharp, frightened bursts. At the far end of the ballroom, a young maid in a pale blue uniform stood beneath the chandeliers with tears running down her face.
"Theo, stop. You don't know this woman."
"Yes, I do!" Theo cried. "I know her. She's the one who carried me out of the fire!"
The maid's hands flew to her mouth. Her face had gone white, but she did not look away from the boy.
"Lena?" Adrian whispered.
The woman lowered her hands. "Hello, Theo."
Theo sobbed and grabbed the front of her apron. "You said you would come back. I waited every birthday. Dad said you left because you didn't love me anymore."
Adrian felt the room tilt. He had told his son that because it was what the police report, the house manager, and his own grief had told him to believe.
Before he could speak, Celeste Harrow swept through the crowd in a silver evening gown. She was elegant, composed, and furious beneath her perfect smile.
"Security," she said. "This woman was dismissed from the Vale household. She has no right to be here."
Lena flinched at the sound of Celeste's voice. Theo tightened his grip.
"No," he said, looking up at his father. "She's not a thief. She's the only person who tried to save Mommy."
For three years, he had believed Lena had stolen his wife's locket and run away while his home burned. Now his son was shaking in the arms of the woman he had blamed, and Celeste looked less angry than afraid.
May you like
"Tell me," Adrian said, his voice suddenly cold, "why is my son crying like he has seen a ghost?"
Lena looked past Adrian at the ballroom doors. "Because, Mr. Vale, the night your wife died was not an accident. And the person who made sure you never learned that is standing right beside you."
