as from her old university roommate, Amelia, now a senior partner at Bla

release, washed over Kelsey. She was no longer jus

els and Michelin-starred restaurants. This would be her Paris. A small photography studio in Le

f her closet was a diamond necklace. It wasn't a family heirloom. It was one he had made for her himself in a jewelry-making class he'd taken in secret, just after they graduated. She remembered the

d, glittering stones. They weren't a symbol of a future; t

ation. It was a photo from Aria. She was preening for the camera, a trium

baby! It's the most beaut

] Bennett's reply

dearing. Then she looked at the photo, at the flawless, professionally crafted piece around Aria's neck. Her necklace was the cheap imitati

. She watched as their faces, captured in moments of feigned happiness, curled, blackened, and turned to ash. Las

umming a tune she didn't recognize. He noticed the empty

s?" he asked, his brow fu

amed," she lied smoothly.

m-a faint, floral perfume that wasn't hers. She saw a single, long dark hair on the collar of his cashmere coat. The evidence was

, his arm looping around her waist. "A party. For your bir

g in the rain. This party wasn't for her. It was for him. A performance f

l," she said, her vo

tended in a simple black dress, a stark contrast to the glittering gowns of the other women. She felt like an observer at her own execution. The ball

n she s

dress that was a near-copy of one Kelsey had worn

lsey. "My dear, you look stunning tonight," the woman said, h

en. They thought Aria was her. The replacement was so blatant,

of our family." But Kelsey watched him all night. She saw the way his eyes followed Aria, the way he subtly steered her away from any single men who showed interest, a flicker of r

o accept compliments on the "lovely party

the museum board, were whisperin

ne said. "Bringing his mistres

"Last week, at Dr. Evans' fertility clinic. They were h

ility specialist in the city. The one Bennett had

reathtaking. This wasn't just a recent affair. This was a long-term, calculated deception. A double life