Chapter 6: The Luncheon

The foundation luncheon was on Thursday, in a white tent on the back lawn.

A hundred and fifty donors sat at round tables with pressed linen and little cards with their names.

Sheridan had put me at the head table, between her and my mother.

I wore a navy dress from the box she had brought to the garage.

It still smelled like the inside of my old closet.

"You don't have to say anything," Sheridan whispered. "Just smile. I'll introduce you at the end."

I smiled.

I had practiced it in the mirror above Kirk's sink that morning.

I had gotten it almost right.

I had not told Kirk what I planned to do.

I had not planned it until I was sitting in front of the salad.

The housekeeper came through the tent flap with a tray of coffee at a quarter to two.

She did not look at me.

She set the tray on the sideboard at the back and stood beside it with her hands folded.

Sheridan took the microphone and thanked everyone for coming in her soft, warm voice.

She talked about Chadwick. She talked about grief, and second chances.

Then she turned to me with her eyes shining.

"And my sister, who has come home. Milla, would you like to say a few words?"

I stood.

Everyone clapped.

I looked at my mother, who had gone pale under her makeup.

"I have a question for my mother," I said.

The clapping died.

"Mom, at the trial you said you opened my bedroom door at midnight, the night Chadwick died."

"Camilla," my father said from the next table.

Keep reading free with an account. Start Revenge of the Scapegoat Heiress from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.