Chapter 1 - the threat she never should have said out loud
Warm afternoon light stretched across the dark oak floors of the Hamptons estate’s private wine lounge, touching the built-in cabinets and the wide walnut tasting table between the two women.
Catherine Reed sat calmly behind the table with her arms crossed.
Serena Reed stood across from her, leaning forward, shaking with rage.
“I SHOULD’VE MADE SURE YOU NEVER WOKE UP!”
Catherine did not flinch.
Serena pointed straight at her, eyes wild. “MICHAEL WILL NEVER BELIEVE A WORD YOU SAY!”
Only after Serena finished did Catherine push her chair back and stand.
She walked slowly around the same table.
Serena stayed where she was, still glaring, as Catherine came to a stop directly in front of her. For one taut second they stood almost face-to-face, two women on opposite sides of something that had clearly started long before that room.
Then Catherine’s expression turned ice-cold.
She slapped Serena hard across the face.
Serena’s head snapped sideways. She staggered back one step and grabbed her cheek in disbelief.
“YOU ACTUALLY HIT ME?!”
Catherine took one controlled step toward her.
Serena instinctively stepped back.
Then Catherine pointed toward the lounge doors and shouted, “CALL MY SON—AND TELL HIM WHAT YOU DID TO ME!”
Serena froze.
The rage drained out of her face so quickly it was almost frightening.
She went pale.
Because in that instant, Catherine saw what she had needed to see all along: Serena had expected denial, fear, and silence. She had not expected to be told to repeat the truth to Michael herself.
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And whatever had happened between them before that afternoon, it was serious enough that Serena knew one honest phone call could destroy everything she had built with Catherine’s son.
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