PART 1: The Broken Crystal
The heavy crystal bowl did not fall by accident. It slipped from Giselle Prescott’s hands right after her mother-in-law, Fiona, brushed past her shoulder without saying sorry. The glass hit the clean kitchen floor and smashed into shiny pieces right next to Giselle’s shoes.
The cooked salmon was sitting on the counter, and the warm vegetables were still in the oven. Fresh flowers were in a silver vase on the dining table, and every plate was set exactly how Fiona wanted. Still, Fiona looked around the kitchen like Giselle had ruined the whole night.
“You have lived with our family for eight years, but you still make everything look cheap,” Fiona said, touching her gold dress. “Some women just never learn how to be classy.”
Giselle got down on her knees and picked up the sharp glass. Her husband, Philip, stood near the door looking at his phone. He wore a fancy dark tuxedo, expensive shoes, and the silver watch Giselle bought him for their anniversary. When reporters asked him about it, Philip always lied and said he bought the watch himself after making his first big money. Giselle had never told anyone the truth.
“Clean that up fast before someone steps on it,” Philip said, not looking up from his phone. “The maids already went home, so do it yourself.”
Giselle put a piece of glass on the counter and looked at him. “I thought I was going to the party with you tonight, Philip.”
Philip finally looked at her. For a second, he looked confused.
That night’s big party was for business leaders and rich people in the coastal town of Monterey. Top doctors, bosses, and reporters came from all over the country. Everyone was waiting to meet the secret owner of Vane-Stafford Capital, a huge company that built hospitals, houses, and schools. Almost nobody knew what the owner looked like or where she lived.
“Tonight is very important for my business,” Philip said, fixing his suit.
“I know that,” Giselle said.
“No, you don’t understand,” Philip said, his voice getting cold. “There will be cameras everywhere. I need to talk to big people, and I need to look good.”
Fiona laughed. “Philip needs a woman who knows how to talk to rich people, not someone who only cares about how to fold table napkins.”
Philip’s young sister, Lola, was filming a video on her phone. “And he is not going alone anyway,” she said with a laugh.
The front door opened. A pretty woman named Linda Flores walked in wearing a red dress. She was the head of news for Philip’s company. She was also the woman who called him late at night, went on trips with him, and sent him text messages that made him hide his phone screen from Giselle.
Linda walked straight to Philip and took his arm. “The driver is ready,” she said.
Giselle looked at Linda’s hand on her husband’s arm. “Philip, are you taking her as your date?”
Philip looked angry. “Don’t start a fight now.”
“Answer my question,” Giselle said.
Philip came close to her and lowered his voice. “Before you met me, you lived in a tiny apartment, drove an old broken car, and wore cheap clothes. Everything you have today is because of me.”
Giselle looked into his eyes. “Do you really think that?”
“I know it,” he said.
Linda smiled because she was happy to win. A few minutes later, Giselle watched from the window as Philip helped Linda into the black car. Fiona and Lola got in behind them. Before getting in, Philip put his hand on Linda’s back and kissed her next to the car door. Then the car drove away into the dark. Giselle stood at the window until the red lights were gone. For years, she thought staying quiet was love, but that night, she finally understood the truth.
