Eclipse by Deception

f sunset, casting a warm, deceptive glow over the pool deck. Soft music floated from the speakers, and the air

lt exposed-not by the dress, but by the eyes watching her. She glanced sideways at Annabelle, her husba

voice honeyed as she guided Rachel toward the pool. "He plan

, but her gut twisted. "Do you think so

ing smile was too

ched the poolside. Candles flickered in tall glass cylinders, casting golden halos on th

she sa

llen for. Her lifeline. He stood beneath an arch of roses, holding a bouquet of white lilies-h

r wealth. He deserved it-She wanted nothing more than to make him the happ

h and hopeful, fl

velvet, rich, and familiar. He extended th

a," Annabelle interjected smoothly, pluck

ut she let go. Her hands,

his arms. "

step forwar

Hard. Unr

cool rush of air. The

swallowed

erciless embrace. She twisted, her gown billowing like a cloud around h

r throat. A raw, chem

-N

ghed, but the water invaded, choking her. She thr

rippling water, two figure

te

abe

tching. Not mov

t screamed for air, and her mind

is lips moved-she read th

o

ghed softly, clinking her

at an expensive rate. Château

ld share it to celebrate

celebrating

he burn in her chest and the seari

was a weapon, stripping her strength and tightening her throat. She was drowning n

th seawater. She was allergic

k

s haze, a shadow moved, t

se

in on

ok. She was there-she saw. What had

with horror, her fists clenched. He

voice pierced t

into her palms. Rachel could see the battle in her eyes-obedience

candlelight-Rachel saw

ows so

r lungs screamed. Her limbs w

rk

ld went

thing s

co

Her body felt... foreign. Heavy. Her throat is raw. A sharp sting

l room. D

e pale and drawn, her eyes

red, her voice cracking. Relief f

ice barely a whisper. "How..

hel; They left you for dead. But I wouldn't let them have you. I-" Her voice broke, th

but steady, pounded ag

of the way. And they got what they wanted." Her voice

e burning sensation in her throat. "I...I...I did

s bones-colder than the poo

ou got in the pool. I overheard them, and I was caught, but they

do you

d pin your death on him, Miss Rachel. I'm sorry you had to go through this. I tried to tell you, but they woul

***

ason why her husband and his assistant would want to kill her. Peter

ng the thundering of Rachel's heart. Rage-col

ut unbroken, sliced

ital sheets. "My love. My trust. My life." She lifted

ke it al

vering Rachel's hand with her own. "But you can't return as Rachel De La

f silenc

omething cold, something de

wife, the doting partner-was

r pla

. A hunter cloaked i