er in Chloe's ears. Every word was a needle pri

gold leaf and silk curtains, twisted before h

s ago, her heart full of love for Julia

t New York under circumstances Chloe never fully understood. Jul

h, a final, desperate atte

alk?" Her voice w

with his mother, his brow furrowed with i

said, summoning all her

tep closer, his tall frame shadowing her, and lowe

appened. If it weren't for what you did three

r entire body. In his mind, she would

ooked at Chloe with the air of a victor. "Chloe, a person

ir identical expressions of cold disdain.

walked silently toward the grand staircase. Her back

"You see? She's so ungrateful. Not even

ound the bend of the stairs, his brow tightening slightly, a fli

ly curated for three years. Her favorite paintings hung on th

looking around. Everything in this room was sta

de of the closet, and began mechanically pulli

ere the shackles the Montgomerys had given her. She only pa

shed against a velvet box. She opened

e years, Julian had never worn it for

it into the deepest corner of the drawer. It was

e rang. The screen displayed the nam

ng to keep her voi

the old witch give you hell again?"

am Chloe had built inside her fin

vants were already at work, following Eleanor's or

en," she said into the phone,

unwavering support came through. "Good! Wait for me. I'm com

g her for three years finally begin to shift. She knew leaving

king about this possibility. But toda

ound a number. It belonged to the mo

ent a

White. I need your hel