Anya moved l
the side gate of the Sharp estate during the morning grocer
The security cameras had predictable patterns, patterns she had memorized over years of feeling watc
the second floo
d staircase, the sound of voices fr
ing tones. And another voice, a man's, low and
large marble sculpture, peer
oney that made the Sharps' ostentatious wealth look cheap. Anya recognized him from the society pages: Grant Ste
off her jewelry collection. "And this one is from Paris," she cooed, her vo
eening. "Her engagement to your brother, Hayes, is the talk
ere distant. His fingertips tapped a restless rhythm o
e meltdown yesterday," Falon pouted, turning to Grant. "She's just a charity cas
rateful wretch, Grant. We fed and clothed her for ten years, and she repaid
perceptible motion. He clearly d
gusting tapestry of lies woven to make them look magnanimous and her look pathet
when a flash of light from
eath h
ss was a familiar butterfly. Antique silver, with deli
ther's
led with smug pride as she touched the butterfly. "T
ya's head, so loud it
rlo
mother's. H
ad of her con
ulpture. Her movements were silent
utting through their frivolou
e it
ck. They saw a girl in simple, dark clothes, her face pale but
face contorting in a mask of fury. "Y
ched the brooch. A flicker of pure panic cross
He looked from the girl Veronica had described as an "ungrateful wretch"
Her focus was entirely on Falon. She
d, her voice dangerously calm. "Take it of
ly turned to Grant, her eyes welling up with practiced tears, her lo
She's insane! This is my family's
nya's unwavering stare and Falon's theatrical disp
She took another step closer. "Then tell me, Falon. Tel
he air, a guillotine p
from Falon's fac
cup down with a soft click. A flicker of genuine interest
broken only by the frantic ticking of a grandfath
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