Chapter 7 - THE DRY DRESS.
Marcus stared at Victoria.
Her emerald gown was perfectly dry except for a few droplets near the hem from the splash.
Elena’s entire body was drenched.
Victoria noticed where he was looking.
“I was standing back.”
Elena shook her head.
“No.”
Victoria turned sharply.
“Shut up.”
That command sounded different from her earlier crying.
Too cold.
Too automatic.
Marcus heard it too.
His gaze hardened.
Victoria immediately softened her voice.
“I’m sorry. I’m scared.”
She touched the baby’s back.
Marcus shifted the infant slightly away from her hand.
Victoria noticed.
So did Elena.
Elena pushed herself onto her knees.
Her cheek was swelling.
She tasted a small trace of blood where her lip had split against her teeth.
Still, she looked directly at Marcus.
“I didn’t push him.”
Marcus said nothing.
Victoria grabbed his arm again.
“She’s trying to turn you against me.”
Elena’s attention shifted past them.
Something had caught her eye.
Beyond Victoria’s shoulder.
Beyond the limestone patio.
Inside the wall of dark green hedges.
A tiny red point appeared.
Then disappeared.
Then appeared again.
Blink.
Blink.
Elena stopped breathing for one second.
Her eyes widened.
May you like
Victoria mistook the reaction for fear.
But Elena was no longer looking at her.
