Chapter 1 - THE WREATH ON MY WEDDING CAKE
Vanessa slammed a black funeral wreath across the top tier of Allison Mercer’s wedding cake hard enough to crack the sugar flowers.
Ivory frosting collapsed beneath black roses.
The satin ribbon stretched across the wreckage carried Allison’s name.
“I’m mourning the sister who stole Mom’s house—and her pearls.”
A few guests gasped.
Nobody laughed.
That somehow made it worse.
Allison remained beside Daniel, one hand still holding the champagne flute she had been about to raise for their toast.
Her sister had chosen the moment carefully.
The ballroom at Boston Harbor was full.
Their mother had been dead seven weeks.
Half the people watching had attended her funeral.
Vanessa had arrived wearing a fitted black dress despite Allison specifically asking immediate family to stay with the winter wedding palette.
Now Allison understood why.
This had been planned.
“Vanessa,” Daniel said quietly.
She ignored him.
“You really thought we'd celebrate while she walks around with everything Mom owned?”
Allison stared at her sister.
“The house was sold to me.”
“Sure.”
Vanessa gave the guests a theatrical smile.
“Funny how Mom suddenly decided that after Allison started handling all her appointments.”
Then she crossed to the memorial table.
Their mother's framed photograph stood between candles and ivory roses.
Beside it sat the cedar keepsake box Eleanor Mercer had owned for decades.
Vanessa snatched it up.
“And these?”
Allison frowned.
“I've never opened that.”
Daniel’s attention shifted immediately to the lid.
A thick dark-burgundy wax seal still circled the narrow brass latch.
Unbroken.
Daniel stepped forward.
He took the box from Vanessa and turned the seal toward her.
His voice stayed level.
“Then how do you know there are pearls inside?”
Vanessa looked down.
For one second, her expression emptied.
Daniel slipped his finger under the edge of the wax.
Vanessa moved so fast she nearly knocked over the memorial flowers.
“DON’T OPEN THAT.”
The ballroom seemed to contract around her voice.
Daniel stopped.
The wax was half-lifted.
Allison slowly turned toward her sister.
Vanessa was no longer performing for the guests.
May you like
She was afraid.
And Allison suddenly cared far less about what her sister had accused her of stealing than about what Vanessa was desperate to keep inside that box.
