Chapter 1: The Name No One Expected
Chapter 1: The Name No One Expected
The ballroom fell silent as the silver tray shattered across the marble floor.
Every guest turned toward Martha.
The elderly housekeeper stood frozen, her eyes fixed on the pendant resting against Olivia Carter's neck.
Her hands trembled.
"No..."
She whispered again.
"Miss Emma..."
Richard Hayes stepped toward her.
"Martha."
His voice was calm, but his face had lost all color.
"Who is Emma?"
Martha looked from Richard to Olivia.
Tears welled in her eyes.
"That necklace..."
She pointed with a shaking hand.
"I fastened it around a little girl's neck twenty-four years ago."
Olivia instinctively touched the pendant.
"My father told me it belonged to my mother."
Martha slowly shook her head.
May you like
"No."
"It belonged to Emma Hayes."
