Chapter 1 - The Ruined Celebration
Ambient festoon lighting hummed softly over the luxury outdoor patio, casting warm golden hues across polished marble stones and an elegant outdoor dining set. Friends, family, and distinguished guests filled the terrace for Catherine’s 65th birthday celebration.
Catherine stood near the head of the table in her navy blue lace dress, her silver-grey hair neatly styled, her expression calm and dignified.
Beside her, Sloan—her late-twenties blonde daughter-in-law—swirled a glass of red wine in a stylish cocktail dress, her mouth curved into a petty, arrogant smirk.
Without warning, Sloan leaned back, using her elbow to deliberately shove Catherine's custom three-tier 65th birthday cake right off the edge of the patio table.
The cake smashed violently onto the marble patio stones, crumbling into ruined frosting and broken sugar pearls at Catherine's feet.
A collective gasp rippled across the terrace. Guests froze in absolute shock.
Sloan took a slow, deliberate sip of her wine, looking down at the ruined dessert before meeting Catherine's eyes with a smug, mocking whisper.
"Oops."
Catherine didn't flinch. She slowly turned her gaze toward her thirty-year-old son, Harrison, who stood in a tailored dark suit just a few steps away.
"Harrison..." Catherine said in a calm, steady voice that echoed through the quiet terrace. "...are you going to say anything to your wife?"
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Harrison looked down timidly at his polished leather shoes, refusing to make eye contact with his own mother.
👉 What spineless betrayal keeps Harrison from defending his mother against his cruel wife?
