Chapter 1 - The Woman in the Gray UniformThe ballroom of the Hawthorne Grand glittered beneath a thousand crystal lights.
Everything about Audrey Bennett's wedding had been designed to look perfect.
The white roses had been flown in from California. The champagne cost more than most people earned in a month. Cameras flashed from every corner as Audrey descended the marble staircase in a gown that seemed to belong on the cover of a luxury magazine.
Tonight, she was marrying Julian Cross.
Powerful. Wealthy. Beautiful.
And, according to everyone in the room, completely devoted to her.
Audrey believed it too.
Until she noticed the maid.
The woman stood near the champagne table in a simple gray uniform, holding a silver tray. She looked strangely calm amid the chaos.
Audrey's smile disappeared.
"Why is she standing there?"
One of the bridesmaids glanced over.
"Probably hotel staff."
Audrey's eyes narrowed.
She walked directly toward the woman.
"You. You're blocking the photographs."
The maid immediately stepped aside.
"I'm sorry, ma'am."
Audrey looked her up and down.
Something about the woman's face irritated her.
Perhaps it was the calmness.
Perhaps it was the faint sadness in her eyes.
Or perhaps it was the way she looked at Audrey as if she knew something.
"Go back to the service entrance," Audrey said coldly.
The maid lowered her eyes.
"Of course."
Audrey turned away.
May you like
She had no idea that within hours, the entire ballroom would know the woman's name.
And neither did she know that hearing that name would change everything.
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