Chapter 1 - THE FALL
The marble floor was cold beneath Amelia Carter’s trembling hands.
She could barely breathe.
At seven months pregnant, every movement had become difficult, but the pain spreading through her abdomen was something entirely different.
She looked up at the woman standing over her.
Victoria Hale.
Victoria’s sparkling crimson gown shimmered beneath the chandelier as if she were attending a celebration rather than standing over a pregnant woman who had just fallen.
Her beautiful face carried a cruel smile.
“Please, stop,” Amelia whispered.
Victoria only laughed.
Then the massive front door opened.
Victoria’s expression changed instantly.
Her smile disappeared.
She stopped moving and dropped onto the marble floor, pretending to have slipped.
“Oh my God, I slipped!”
Amelia stared at her in disbelief.
A second later, Daniel Carter rushed into the foyer.
His black suit was slightly disheveled, and his eyes immediately searched the room.
“What just happened?”
Victoria reached for him.
“Daniel, I don’t know. Amelia attacked me.”
Daniel froze.
Amelia slowly placed one hand over her stomach.
Her voice was barely audible.
“She’s lying.”
Daniel looked between them.
Victoria began crying softly.
“She came at me.”
Amelia shook her head.
“No.”
Daniel stepped toward his wife.
“Amelia, are you hurt?”
Before Amelia could answer, another sensation tore through her abdomen.
She gasped.
Daniel immediately crouched beside her.
“Where does it hurt?”
“My stomach.”
His face went pale.
Victoria watched silently.
For one brief second, the fear vanished from her face.
Then Daniel noticed something.
A small red light blinking high above them.
He slowly looked toward the ceiling.
The security camera.
Its lens pointed directly at the foyer.
Daniel stared at it.
Victoria followed his gaze.
Her face went completely still.
For the first time that evening, she looked genuinely afraid.
Daniel stood.
“Why is that camera recording?”
Victoria swallowed.
“It probably isn't.”
Daniel's voice hardened.
May you like
“Then let's find out.”
And for the first time, Victoria realized her perfect lie might have been captured forever.
