Chapter 2

Thorne Advanced Dynamics moved with terrifying efficiency.

Within a week, Veronica was transferred to their private clinic, a sleek, modern facility that looked more like a luxury spa than a hospital.

The experimental drug, a complex cocktail of proteins and neuro-stimulants, was administered.

And just like that, three days later, Veronica opened her eyes.

Dad was ecstatic, calling it a miracle. He immediately started planning a lavish "welcome back" party at our townhouse.

I stood outside her room, watching the flurry of doctors and nurses.

My phone felt heavy in my hand.

Ethan, Veronica's awake. We're having a party tonight. Will you come?

I typed and deleted the message a dozen times.

It was the same old dance. Me reaching out, him remaining distant.

Finally, an hour before the party, I couldn't stand it anymore. I called.

His voice, when he answered, was cool, detached. The voice he always used with me.

"Ethan Hayes speaking. I'm in a meditation retreat. Is it urgent?"

A meditation retreat. Of course. Always seeking that perfect, untouchable calm.

"It's Veronica," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "She's awake."

Silence.

Then, a distinct clatter.

I knew that sound. His sandalwood meditation beads, scattering on a hard floor.

His breath hitched. "I'll be there."

See? For Veronica, even the most devout seeker of tranquility would break his vows of silence.

I hung up, a familiar ache settling in my chest.

As I reached the top of the grand staircase, ready to descend into the throng of guests, I saw her.

Veronica.

She was standing in the center of the drawing-room, a radiant vision in... my dress.

The one Chloe, my best friend and a budding designer, had custom-made for me for this very occasion. A soft, blush-pink silk that was supposed to signify new beginnings.

On Veronica, it was stunning. Of course it was. Everything was stunning on Veronica.

She twirled, the silk whispering around her.

"Amelia, darling," she said, her voice a little weak, but her smile dazzling. "You don't mind, do you? I just woke up, no time to get anything new. And this color is just so... me."

Mom rushed to my side, her hand on my arm, a pleading look in her eyes.

"Amy, she's just recovered. Let her have it."

I forced a smile. "Of course not, Veronica. It looks beautiful on you."

As I turned to go back upstairs and find something, anything else, to wear, I heard Veronica's clear voice drift up.

"It fits me much better, don't you think, Chloe? Amelia's always been a bit too... slight. Can't really fill out a dress like this."

Chloe mumbled something noncommittal.

I didn't wait to hear more.

I found a simple white linen dress in the back of my closet. Plain. Unassuming.

Perfect.

Downstairs, Dad was beaming, a champagne flute in his hand.

"My Veronica is back!" he announced to the assembled crowd. "And I'm thrilled to announce that, effective immediately, Veronica will be resuming her role at Walker Industries, taking over as Vice President of Marketing!"

Polite applause.

Veronica, beside him, glowed. "Thank you, Daddy. I won't let you down."

Someone from the back, a distant cousin perhaps, called out, "What about Amelia? What will she be doing?"

Dad looked momentarily flustered, as if he'd forgotten I existed.

"Ah, Amelia. Well, there's that small gallery space we own downtown... perhaps she could..."

"Oh, Daddy!" Veronica exclaimed, a perfectly crafted moue of distress on her face. "But wasn't that the space you promised me for my new artisanal coffee boutique? I've already had the designers draw up plans!"

Dad's face cleared instantly. "Of course, my dear, of course! You're right. Well then, Amelia... we'll find something else. Perhaps the uptown framing shop..."

I gripped my water glass, the condensation cold against my palm.

"No, thank you, Dad," I said, my voice surprisingly steady. "I don't need anything."

He'd always been like this. Veronica was the sun; I was a distant, forgotten moon.

Mom, his legitimate wife, was a shadow in her own home. I'd seen her cry silently at night, seen her absorb his criticisms with a forced smile, seen her stammer when trying to speak her mind to him.

One look from Veronica, and Dad would move heaven and earth.

The party was in full swing when the butler's voice boomed.

"Mr. Ethan Hayes!"

A hush fell.

Ethan walked in, a dark, bespoke suit clinging to his lean frame. He looked like a fallen angel, his handsome face etched with an unreadable emotion.

Behind him, two assistants carried a large, elaborately wrapped gift.

They placed it before Veronica and unveiled it.

Gasps rippled through the room.

It was a beautifully rendered architectural model of a sprawling beachfront estate.

"The deed to the Hayes family's Hampton property," Ethan announced, his eyes fixed on Veronica. "A small token to celebrate your recovery, Veronica."

"Oh, Ethan, it's too much!" Veronica demurred, but her hands clutched the model to her chest as if it were a life raft.

The whispers started immediately.

"The Hampton estate! That's practically a declaration."

"Well, he was her fiancé before the accident."

"Looks like things are going back to how they should be."

"Poor Amelia. How embarrassing for her."

I slipped away, out onto the small wrought-iron balcony overlooking the garden.

The cool night air did little to soothe the burning in my chest.

Footsteps behind me. High heels clicking on the stone.