Chapter 2: The Room That Forgot to Breathe
Chapter 2: The Room That Forgot to Breathe
Chloe’s smile faltered.
“Excuse me?” she said, louder this time. “Are you seriously calling security over a spilled drink?”
Victoria looked up at her.
For the first time.
Directly.
And Chloe felt something she couldn’t name shift behind those calm eyes.
Not weakness.
Not anger.
Control.
“You made a mistake,” Victoria said softly.
Chloe laughed. “A mistake? I think you’re overreacting, sweetheart. Do you even know where you are?”
A man nearby whispered, “Chloe… maybe stop.”
But she didn’t hear him.
Or refused to.
The double doors at the end of the hall opened.
Two security officers stepped in.
Then two more.
Then a man in a dark suit carrying a tablet.
Chloe’s confidence flickered.
“This is ridiculous,” she snapped. “She spilled wine on herself. That’s it.”
The lead security officer didn’t look at Chloe.
He looked at Victoria.
“Ma’am,” he said respectfully. “Do you want her removed?”
That question changed everything.
Because it wasn’t asked about Victoria.
It was asked to her.
Victoria adjusted her ruined dress lightly, then answered.
“No,” she said.
A pause.
Chloe exhaled sharply. “See? She’s—”
Victoria continued.
“Not removed.”
Another pause.
May you like
Then she looked at Chloe again.
“Detained.”
