Part 6
The next day passed in a blur of forced normalcy.
Felicia was a whirlwind of activity.
Florists arrived at noon with massive arrangements of white roses.
A bartender set up a mobile station in the dining room.
The house looked spectacular, but to me, it felt like a stage set.
A beautifully decorated trap.
Derek handled himself better than I expected.
He laughed at her jokes.
He helped her move boxes.
But every time her back was turned, his face went completely blank.
At 5:00 PM, Cassandra arrived.
She was older than Felicia, with sharp features and a cold aura.
She wore a black dress that looked like armor.
"Eleanor," Cassandra said when she saw me in the hallway.
She didn't offer a hand.
"It's a lovely house."
"A bit old-fashioned, but it has good bones."
"Perfect for a growing family."
She emphasized the word family with a strange intensity.
"Thank you, Cassandra," I said politely.
"I've lived here thirty years."
"I know every corner of it."
She gave me a tight, calculated smile.
"Houses need new life eventually, Eleanor."
"Otherwise, they just become museums for the past."
"We'll see," I murmured.
By 7:00 PM, the guests began to arrive.
Most of them were Felicia's friends—young, loud, and flashy.
They drank the expensive wine and admired the architecture.
They all seemed to believe the house belonged to the Caldwell estate.
I heard one woman say, "Felicia's family has such deep roots here."
I just smiled and sipped my water.
At 7:30 PM, the main guest arrived.
His name was Richard Vance.
He was a wealthy real estate developer in his late fifties.
He wore a tailored suit and carried himself with the confidence of a billionaire.
Felicia and Cassandra immediately swarmed him.
"Richard! You made it!" Felicia squealed, hugging him.
"Wouldn't miss it, Felicia," Vance said.
His voice was deep, authoritative.
He looked around the living room, his eyes assessing the crown molding.
"Your family estate is magnificent."
"Thank you," Felicia said without a hint of shame.
"It's been in our family for generations."
"Derek and I are thinking of doing some renovations soon."
Derek was standing nearby.
I watched him grip his wine glass so tightly his knuckles turned white.
He looked at me.
I gave him a tiny, almost imperceptible nod.
Not yet.
Vance turned to Derek. "Young man, you must be very proud to be marrying into such a legacy."
"I'm... surprised every day, Mr. Vance," Derek said.
The delivery was perfect.
Double-edged.
"Excellent," Vance laughed. "Felicia tells me you're also taking a big role in the new development project."
"The one under Caldwell Holdings."
"We're finalizing the paperwork tonight, right?"
"Yes," Cassandra stepped in, her eyes gleaming.
"We have the contracts in the study."
"We can sign them right after dinner."
"Perfect," Vance said. "I like a woman who does business efficiently."
Dinner was served.
The food was exquisite, but it tasted like ash in my mouth.
Felicia sat at the head of the table.
I sat near the middle, largely ignored by her high-society friends.
They talked about ski trips and stock options.
I just watched the clock on the wall.
The hands were moving toward 9:00 PM.
The hour of the signing.
As the plates were cleared, Felicia stood up and raised her glass.
"A toast," she said, looking radiant under the crystal chandelier.
"To new beginnings."
"To expanding our horizons."
"And to the wonderful partnerships that make the future bright."
Everyone clinked their glasses.
"Now," Cassandra said, standing up next to her sister.
"Richard, if you'll follow us into the study, we can take care of that little formality."
She looked at Derek. "Derek, join us please."
They started to walk toward the back room.
I stood up from my chair.
The movement was quiet, but deliberate.
"Actually," I said.
My voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the room's chatter.
Everyone stopped.
Felicia turned around, a flicker of irritation crossing her face.
"Yes, Eleanor?"
"I think we should all go to the study," I said.
"After all, it's my house."
"And I'd hate to miss the closing of such a major deal."
The room went completely silent.
Felicia's smile froze.
Cassandra's eyes turned into ice.
Richard Vance looked between me and Felicia, his eyebrows raised.
May you like
"Your house?" Vance asked slowly.
"Let's go inside," I smiled. "And I'll explain everything."
