Blood spread beneath my cheek.
Somewhere above me, Vivienne was screaming that I had ruined everything.
Then came Adrian’s furious voice.
“GET AWAY FROM HER!”
I glimpsed him catching Vivienne’s wrist and forcing the broken bottle from her hand.
He shoved her backward into the surrounding crowd.
Guests scattered.
Someone called for an ambulance.
Someone else shouted for the police.
But all I could see was Lucy.
My beautiful little girl.
Standing in front of Adrian with tears running down her cheeks.
She held out the envelope.
“Please,” she sobbed. “My mommy said you’re supposed to read this.”
Adrian dropped to his knees.
He took the letter with shaking hands.
Then Lucy whispered the words that broke what remained of my heart.
“You’re my daddy. Please don’t let them hurt Mommy again.”
I tried to reach for her.
My arm wouldn’t move.
Adrian unfolded the paper.
His expression changed as he read.
Shock became horror.
Horror became something darker.
Then my phone slipped from my dress pocket and landed beside my face.
The screen illuminated.
A new message appeared from an unknown number.
Five words.
Why is she still alive?
And as darkness swallowed the ballroom, I realized the woman who had attacked me might not be the only person who wanted me dead.
