“Vanessa is marrying Preston tonight,” my mother continued, ignoring my excuse, her eyes gleaming with toxic pride as she looked up at the groom. “Preston is a maritime logistics visionary. He’s taking his shipping startup public next year. And what are you? You’re just a shameful single mother, leeching off whatever pathetic admin job you have. You only bring embarrassment to this family.”
“I only came because Vanessa sent an invitation,” I replied softly, keeping my voice level to protect my daughter’s peace.
“She invited you out of pity,” my mother sneered, smoothing her silk dress. “And because it would cause awkward whispers if her own sister boycotted the party. Do us all a massive favor. Keep your mouth shut, stay in this corner, and keep your illegitimate child away from the photographers. We don’t want Preston’s wealthy investors thinking we associate with trash.”
She turned on her heel and glided back up the teak stairs toward the brightly lit center of the party, her fake, radiant smile instantly returning.
I let out a shaky breath and slipped my phone out of my clutch. My hands were trembling as I opened my encrypted messaging app.
To: Damian.
“Are you almost in the airspace? They are worse than you warned me. I’m not sure how much longer I can take this.”
I watched the message turn to ‘Delivered.’ I just had to hold on a little longer.
But out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mia stand up. A passing waiter had dropped a small silver spoon near the stairs, and my sweet, helpful daughter rushed forward to pick it up. At that exact moment, Preston, the arrogant groom, was walking down the stairs, animatedly showing off his newest purchase to a group of investors.
It was a vintage, diamond-encrusted Patek Philippe maritime chronometer. A watch worth more than a house.
Mia bumped into Preston’s leg. Preston stumbled. The heavy, unclasped watch slipped from his manicured fingers, bounced off the polished teak wood of the deck, and slid directly through the gaps of the railing.
With a sickening, silent splash, a quarter of a million dollars sank directly into the dark, murky waters of the marina.
