Jennifer's eyes locked on the tall figure standing at Villa Six's entrance.
The man moved with unhurried confidence, his silhouette sharp against the warm amber light spilling from the doorway.
The door opened before he reached it, and Helena appeared, backlit and smiling, welcoming him inside like he was expected.
Like he was wanted.
Jennifer sat frozen in her car, hands white-knuckled on the steering wheel, staring at the now-empty entrance.
'So this is the one they've been waiting for.'
The realization settled over her like ice water.
This is what her mother had prepared. The candles. The roses. The black silk sheets. The champagne chilling in its silver bucket.
All of it.
For him.
For this... toy.
A bitter laugh caught in Jennifer's throat.
Her mother was willing to throw everything away for this. The family. The legacy. Her own daughter's future. All of it sacrificed so Vivienne could hide in this villa and whore around without distraction.
