Cracks in the Foundation

The sight of Julian staring after Seraphina made my stomach twist into painful knots. My fiancé—the man who had promised to love me forever—couldn't even hide his longing for another woman. At my father's party, no less.

I plastered on a smile that felt like it might crack my face, determined not to let anyone see my pain. Charlotte Bennett, Julian's mother, touched my arm with perfectly manicured fingers.

"Camille, darling, you simply must tell me who designed that exquisite dress," she gushed, her eyes sharp despite her warm tone.

"Oh, this?" I smoothed down the silk fabric. "It's an Eliza Montgomery original."

Charlotte's eyes widened appreciatively while Fiona, Julian's sister, examined me with calculated interest.

"I knew it had to be a designer piece," Charlotte said. "You Valois women always have impeccable taste. So different from some of the... local girls Julian used to associate with."

There was something in her tone that made me pause. "Local girls?"