Chapter 2

The air on the boardwalk had cooled, shifting from the humid, sticky heat of the afternoon to a crisp, salty chill that bit at my bare shoulders. I stood near the railing, watching the sun bleed into the ocean, painting the water in shades of bruised purple and burnt orange. The carnival lights flickered on above us, a kaleidoscope of electric hum and neon promise, but my focus remained fixed on him. He was leaning against a wooden post, swirling a glass of champagne, watching me with that predatory stillness that had been building all day. We had retreated to a semi-private alcove near the back of the event space, a quiet corner where the string lights draped low and the chatter of the gala guests faded into a distant murmur. I was supposed to be mingling, playing the role of the polite, well-mannered daughter, but he had cornered me here, and I couldn’t seem to tear myself away. He pushed off the post and walked toward me, the sound of his dress shoes on the wooden planks echoing like a heartbeat in my ears. He hadn’t let go of my hand since we stepped away from the crowd. His