Chapter 1: The Refusal
Chapter 1: The Refusal
The crystal glass froze inches from Ava's lips.
She caught Eleanor's wrist before the wine could touch her mouth and firmly pushed it away.
"No."
The single word echoed through the silent dining room.
Every member of the Ashford family stopped eating.
Eleanor's elegant smile disappeared.
"What did you just say to me?"
"I said no."
Ava slowly placed her napkin beside her untouched plate.
"I won't drink anything you hand me."
A heavy silence settled over the table.
Richard Ashford, the family patriarch, frowned.
"Ava, apologize to your mother-in-law."
Ava calmly looked around the room.
"For refusing a drink?"
Eleanor slammed the crystal glass onto the table.
"You've embarrassed this family enough!"
"No," Ava replied evenly. "I'm protecting myself."
Everyone stared at her.
Then Eleanor laughed.
"Protecting yourself? From what?"
Ava reached into her purse and placed a small silver pill bottle on the table.
The label had been scratched off.
"I found this in the kitchen this afternoon."
May you like
Eleanor's face changed for the briefest second.
Only Ava noticed.
