D.C. Descent: A Family's Fight

ilitary strip. A pre-arranged ca

I told the driver. "N

who had known me since I was a child, looked shock

g through the manicured gardens. The air was thick

stone driveway. I didn't enter through the main doors. I went around the side,

byists, old-money families. They were all there, sip

the center of it all,

aring a custom-made gown, one I recognized instantly. It was m

as preening, her smil

A diamond and sapphire necklace, a gift to my mother from a former Preside

irl' s throat felt

nd pure, flo

ws of the library and into

walked forward, my gaze locked on the trio on the dais. My dress uniform, with its

front of Molly. She looked down at me, her ex

upposed to be?

hed up, my fingers closing

not belon

clasp snapped. Diamonds scatt

d, a high, pi

ing to her mouth. "Elyse! Wh

rst name from her

ise. I slapped her, hard. The sound cracked

ing through the air. "And you are in my mother's hou

ed, frozen. The