Vivian’s fingers still lingered on the edge of the velvet ring box, and her heels sat forgotten beside her. Christopher leaned into her, warm breath at her temple, arms curled around her belly as if shielding her from the whole world.
Then came the voice.
“Christopher.”
He turned his head slowly. The smile on his face faded before it fully bloomed.
His mother stood at the edge of the terrace, still dressed in gold, but there was no celebration in her face.
Her brows were pinched. Her lips pressed together so tightly the color had drained from them. She clutched her hands in front of her waist, fingers trembling. The earrings on her lobes swayed as she stepped forward, her heels soundless on the stone.
“Have you seen Lucy?” she asked.
Christopher blinked. His body shifted. Vivian s
