The Mask of Deception

Deci

going to sit t

, startling Emily. She looked up, her heart pounding as her gaze me

g dust off her threadbare dress. "I-

are, each word laced with disdain. After a long, appraising look, a calcu

on knitting her brows.

something unspoken. "Because I said so. Or woul

mise of food, warmth, and shelter. But the sh

whispered, clutching her hands

ation flickering across her fac

away, her heels clicking against the cobblestones. Emily

ily

y froze, turning to see Maria pushing thro

's arm tightly as her fearful eyes flicked to Margare

Emily said softly. "A chance to

No. You can't trust her.

e. "I'm offering her an escape from this miser

n etched into her face. "Why my da

's all. If you don't want her to take this opportunity,

nce. She turned to Maria, her voice crac

areful, my child. Something about this doesn't fe

cidence," she said dismissively, pulling a card from her bag and thrusti

her tightly. "I'll b

bled. "Promise me

weight in her chest told her this

-

ing market. Towering gates framed sprawling gardens, and the ma

et snapped withou

, and the air carried the faint scent of expensive perfume. Every inch of the mansion screamed w

t, who i

elegant woman descending the grand staircase. Her silver hair gleame

rgaret replied curtly. "I

step. Her gaze darted between Margaret

liar," Evelyn said

hand darting out to grab Emily's arm. She pushed up h

d, her voice tight with some

but managed to stammer, "

hen back to the mark. "You didn't tell me she looke

"Does it matter? S

d. "No. She cannot stay

owed. "Why? She's pe

er composure cracked, and fear flicker

ance sparking in her eyes. "She

ed before she finally relented with a cold, "Fine. Bu

Emily before walking away, her heels

Come on," she said to Emily, he