Smiles & Scars

One: The

dusky sky as evening crept in, and the grandfather clock in the hallway ticked with methodical precision, each sound pressing against my nerves. I sat in

tapping against the windows or the faint murmur of v

ltered into the room. "Charles, this merger is essential. Th

was sixteen. My mother followed two years later. Since then, I'd lived under the care of my mother's co

ladies weren't sup

r to the door, carefu

his voice rich and full of authority. "H

me. She's grateful. That girl would marry a

ind that felt like it reached bone.

isn't exactly obedient

now, tall and proud. "Then we both apply pressure. We have enough l

hree times, each interaction colder than the last. He was Claire's stepson, and while strikingly handsome with rave

to the chaise, the journal forgotten. I sta

chessboard, moved for

tter than the lines of my own hand. I found myself in the conservatory, where Claire often hosted garden teas and cha

ard. The rain had softened to a drizzle, cool and cleansin

Wells. I was

ld where every decision about m

ror

to see Claire standing beneath a large umbrella, her sleek beige

ress," she said sof

sked, not botheri

ened. "Is what

ing to my cheeks. "The arrangement.

for a second. The slip. The awaren

's death, "you have to understand. This is an incredible opportunity, for all of us. You and Damon, y

am? A piece of

more than that, love. But sometimes, we have to

n't about emotions.

firm. "You owe me, Aurora. I took you in wh

nt to sell me l

napped tight like a

We're having dinner with the Blackwells tomorrow.

away, heels echoi

ays did l

even know

into a hot bath, sinking until only my eyes remained above w

the world was mine to shape. I remembered my father's booming laugh and the way he called me his "sun

didn't be

parties, networking events, practiced

reflection. My face, pale and sharp, stared b

s I be

ad, watching the moon wade through slow-mov

ts Claire held over him. What leverage did she have

ted it as m

otions, allowing the stylist to twist my hair into soft waves, the maid to

I felt

y room as I slip

ike a collector examining her prize. "Smile

I stared at her,

t imposing. We were ushered into a dining room with high ceilings, a

ace, hands in his pockets

we entered. His

he same confusio

strangers meeting at a cha

warm. His voic

am

r. Claire and Charles led the conversation

. I pushed mine around like a

We'd like to make the engagement official by next mon

ed on

s down slowly. "Th

ehearsed smile. "

we want?" I said, voic

m fell

row. Claire gave m

d smoothly, "we'v

u've de

ood. "Ex

ond later. "

the hallway, standin

me. "You ov

ded.

eek

d at eac

aling slowly. "I have no intere

why

sometimes, walking away

od that al

now?"

ked. "Now? We figure out ho

flicker in the wreckage, not hope, not ye

ontinue