Chapter 1 - THE FOUNTAIN
Robert’s hands struck my shoulders while I was holding Lily against my chest.
The force drove my heel onto the wet stone rim of the fountain.
“Trash should be washed away with water.”
My foot slipped.
Lily screamed and locked both arms around my neck.
I twisted before we fell, turning my own back toward the carved stone edge. Pain tore beneath my shoulder blade. Then freezing water swallowed us.
For one blind second, Lily disappeared beneath my chin.
I kicked against the fountain floor and surfaced gasping.
“I’ve got you.”
She coughed against my shoulder while I held her face above the water. Her pink party dress clung to her small body. One shoe floated behind us.
Several guests recoiled.
Others laughed.
Chloe stormed toward the fountain, her veil shaking behind her. A pale red wine stain marked the front of her lace gown where Lily had bumped her glass moments earlier.
“How dare your child touch my dress.”
I dragged myself toward the rim.
Ethan raised his champagne glass and grinned.
“This is why you never let bottom-feeders into a black-tie event.”
Lily hid her face against me.
My arms shook as I climbed out. Water streamed from my floor-length dress and pooled beneath my feet.
I looked at Robert, Chloe, and Ethan.
“What have I ever done to you?”
None of them answered.
The ballroom entrance opened.
Alexander walked inside.
He froze when he saw us.
His eyes moved from Lily’s terrified face to my soaked dress, then to the red mark spreading across my back where I had struck the fountain.
The laughter died.
Alexander crossed the terrace with frightening calm.
“Who did this?”
Robert straightened.
“She lost her balance.”
Lily lifted her head.
“He pushed Mommy.”
Alexander stepped between us and the guests.
Robert backed away.
Chloe grabbed her husband’s arm.
“It was an accident caused by that child.”
“My daughter has a name.”
Alexander removed his jacket and wrapped it around Lily and me.
Then a young wedding videographer hurried toward Chloe, holding his camera against his chest.
His face had gone pale.
“Mrs. Mercer,” he whispered, believing no one else could hear him, “you told me to begin recording only after they hit the water.”
Chloe’s eyes snapped toward me.
May you like
The fall had not surprised her.
Only the fact that someone had admitted the camera started late.
