Chapter 11

[The best vacation ever-thanks to Steven and my godmother!]

[Peaceful days, endless happiness.]

[I wish we could stay together like this forever.]

Lucie scrolled through Shannon's posts, each one slicing into her heart. She felt like she was being stabbed over and over, the pain so sharp she could barely breathe.

For days now, she'd been drowning in misery.

Four years of marriage, gone. Anyone would be devastated.

But from where she stood, it seemed she was the only one hurting.

Her husband and son were probably just glad she wasn't there to ruin their picture-perfect family moment.

Her chest tightened, a heavy ache pressing down on her.

The phone buzzed. Her best friend, Mira, called.

"Hey..." Lucie answered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mira's laughter rang through the line, bright as ever. "What are you up to, stranger?"

Lucie's breath hitched. "Nothing, really... Just feeling a little down. I was actually thinking about calling you."

"Oh? What's wrong, girl? Let me guess. Your husband's off playing house with that girl again?"

Lucie's throat closed, the words landing like a punch.

She and Mira had been inseparable since childhood. Secrets didn't exist between them.

"I knew it," Mira teased, a smile in her voice. "Seriously, Lucie, I'll never understand what went through your head. You got married at twenty, straight into the grave of romance! Regretting it now? Starting to see the perks of single life?" "Please, don't." Lucie's voice wavered, a dull ache spreading through her chest.

She hadn't wanted to marry so young, but how could she say no to her grandfather's wishes?

"Alright, alright. Enough wallowing. Want to grab a drink?"

"Where?" Lucie asked, more out of habit than interest.

"Where else? We're hitting the club!" Mira's tone sparkled with excitement.

Lucie's brow furrowed. "A club? I don't know if that's really my thing..."

"Oh, come on! You basically live in your family's antique shop. You're becoming an antique yourself! Who doesn't go clubbing these days?

"Listen up, tonight's special. They've got a fresh batch of male models They've all got eight-pack abs, six feet tall. Let me show you what on

you've been missing out on!"

Lucie hesitated, her heart pounding with nerves and uncertainty.

She'd always been the good girl.

Books and antiques were her world. She loved nothing more than watching master restorers breathe life into ancient treasures, or learning age-old secrets at her grandfather's side.

She'd never even had a rebellious phase.

"Hurry up!" Mira coaxed, her tone half-playful, half-impatient. "Your husband's out there having fun with another woman. Why shouldn't you Have a ttle furt with a hot young thing?"

"No, I really can't..."

"Quit stalling! Yolanda and Angela are coming too. The 404 Girls-when was the last time we all hung out?"

Lucie closed her eyes, the ache in her chest twisting. "...Alright. I'll come."

She couldn't bear to be alone in that empty house another minute.

Maybe a few drinks with friends was exactly what she needed.

***

A little later, Lucie slipped into a white Dior couture gown and brushed on a touch of flawless makeup.

Her perfect skin glowed beneath the soft lights. At five-foot-five and perfectly balanced, it didn't take much for her to turn heads.

At nine-thirty sharp, her driver pulled up outside Elysium, the most exclusive nightclub in New Amberton. Mira's close friend owned the place.

Lucie stepped out of the car, every inch the picture of elegance. She wore a designer gown, with diamond-studded Hermès Birkin in hand.

Mira's eyes went wide. "Whoa! We're going clubbing, not walking the red carpet. Why are you so dressed up?"

Lucie flushed, suddenly self-conscious. She glanced at Mira, who, as always, looked effortlessly sexy, her dancer's body poured into a slinky dress.