Chapter 4

News of Ethan Thorne's whirlwind marriage to the "mysterious and brilliant goddaughter of Mr. Dubois" spread through elite D.C. circles like wildfire.

Ariadne Dubois. It felt strange, yet liberating.

Ethan handled the press with his usual charisma, painting a romantic picture of a long-hidden affection, now joyously revealed.

Mr. Dubois played his part perfectly, a benevolent father figure, beaming with pride.

Our first major public appearance was to be at a charity gala.

Hosted, ironically, by Victoria Thorne.

"She insisted you co-organize it with her," Ethan told me, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "A little test, I imagine. To see if you can handle the pressure."

"I can handle Victoria," I said.

The night of the gala arrived. I wore a sapphire blue gown, simple but elegant.

Ethan at my side, we made our entrance.

The ballroom buzzed. All eyes were on us.

Victoria greeted us, her smile tight, her eyes like chips of ice.

"Ariadne, darling," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "So glad you could finally join our world."

"Thank you for having me, Victoria," I replied, my tone equally smooth.

The guest list was a who's who of D.C. power.

And, as Ethan had warned me, it included my father, David.

And Eleanor.

And "Mrs. Julian Vance." Chloe.

I saw them across the room. Chloe was basking in the attention of a group of society women, no doubt regaling them with tales of her "groundbreaking research."

Eleanor stood beside her, preening.

Our eyes met.

First, confusion flickered across Eleanor's face. Then, dawning horror.

Chloe followed her gaze. Her jaw dropped.

They looked at me, then at Ethan, then back at me.

As Victoria formally introduced me to a key senator, "Senator, I'd like you to meet Ariadne Dubois, Ethan's wife," Eleanor pushed her way forward.

"That's not Ariadne Dubois!" Eleanor shrieked, her voice cracking. "That's Ava! My daughter! She's an imposter!"

The senator looked startled. Victoria's smile froze.

Chloe, recovering quickly, rushed to Eleanor's side. "Mother, please! You're overwrought. Ava... Ava passed away. This woman is just... she looks a little like her, that's all."

Her voice trembled, but her eyes were full of malice.

"She's a fraud!" Eleanor insisted, pointing a shaking finger at me. "She was mentally unstable! We had to... to deal with her!"

A collective gasp went through the nearby guests.

The music stopped.

All eyes were on us.

This was it. The first confrontation.

I stood tall, meeting Eleanor's wild gaze without flinching.

Ethan put a protective arm around my waist.