Page 22 of Vows of Deceit
“Performative or not,” she said smoothly, “I’ve always believed truth deserves a spotlight. Don’t you?”
Elaine’s eyes glittered. “Sometimes the truth is better left behind closed doors. Especially when families are involved.”
Damien reached for his glass. His hand shook just enough for Cassie to notice.
Harper leaned in from the other end of the table. “I think it’s brave,” she said pointedly. “Not many women in this town would dare peel back the facade.”
Elaine raised a single brow. “And some women should know when to keep quiet.”
Harper blinked slowly. “And some mothers should know when their son’s leash is strangling him.”
The silence that followed was deafening.
Kelly placed her hand delicately on Elaine’s wrist. “I’m sure Harper didn’t mean any disrespect.”
Cassie’s gaze snapped to her. “And I’m sure you didn’t mean to insert yourself in a family dinner.”
Kelly’s eyes narrowed just slightly, but she smiled.
“I’m practically family, after all.”
It was subtle. Designed to wound without bleeding.
Cassie tilted her head. “Funny. I thought mistresses came and went.”
Forks paused mid-air. Elaine let out a quiet breath. Charles didn’t react at all. Sienna’s expression cracked, just for a moment.
“I think you’ve had enough wine,” Damien muttered.
Cassie didn’t look at him. “And I think you’ve had enough secrets.”
Elaine stood abruptly. “Perhaps we should move to the sitting room.”
“No,” Charles said, finally lifting his gaze. “Let them finish.”
Everyone stilled.
Charles met Cassie’s eyes. “Finish what you started, Cassandra. You’ve never been one for half-measures.”
It wasn’t approval. But it wasn’t dismissal either.
Cassie stood slowly. “Then let me say this clearly. Whatever mask you all came here wearing tonight, I see through it. And soon, so will the rest of the world.”
She stepped back, her chair sliding with an elegant scrape against the tile.
“Dinner was lovely,” she said to the stunned room. “Truly. A performance worthy of an encore.”
With a nod to Harper, she turned and walked out. Her heels clicked like gunshots across the marble. Outside, the night air was cold against her skin, but Cassie didn’t shiver. The cracks had finally begun to show. And soon, the entire facade would fall.
Chapter Sixteen
The Sibling Showdown
The private garden at King Estate was quiet, the fountain bubbling softly in the background as Cassie waited on the wrought iron bench. It was mid-morning, the sky bright with sun but cool with early spring air. Kelly had agreed to meet under the pretense of sisterhood, of civility.
Cassie wasn’t here for either. She wore cream slacks and a navy blouse, understated elegance. Her hair was pulled back, her demeanor calm. The hidden microphone nestled inside her locket was already recording.
Kellya arrived late, of course. Oversized sunglasses. High heels too tall for grass. The hem of her trench coat fluttering behind her like a designer cape.
