She Slapped the Maid, Then Heard "Sister"
CHAPTER 1 - The Maid at the Birthday Party
The champagne glasses struck the marble floor and shattered.
Celeste Beaumont spun around as champagne splashed across her dark blue gown.
The young maid tried to apologize, but Celeste's hand moved before she could think.
The slap silenced the ballroom.
The maid stumbled backward, covering her reddened cheek. Tears filled her blue eyes as wealthy guests watched from beneath the golden lights.
Celeste immediately regretted it.
But before she could speak, the maid looked at her with heartbreaking tenderness.
"Happy birthday, sister."
Celeste froze.
Her husband, Marcus, appeared beside her.
"Security," he ordered. "Remove this woman."
The maid reached beneath her uniform and pulled out half of a silver heart pendant.
Celeste instinctively touched the matching half hidden beneath her diamond necklace.
She had not seen the other piece since she was nine years old.
"Where did you get that?" Celeste whispered.
"Mom gave one half to each of us."
Eighteen years earlier, Celeste and her seven-year-old sister, Anna, had entered temporary care after their parents died in an accident. Their wealthy aunt Lydia took Celeste into her home but claimed another family had adopted Anna overseas.
Years later, Lydia said Anna had died.
Celeste had believed her.
The maid pushed a loose strand of blond hair from her forehead, revealing a crescent-shaped scar.
Celeste remembered the day Anna received it. They had been climbing the apple tree behind their childhood home.
"Anna?"
The maid began crying.
Marcus grabbed her arm.
"She's an impostor. She wants your inheritance."
Anna pulled away and removed several envelopes from her apron.
"I have been writing to Celeste for four years."
Every letter had been returned unopened.
Across each envelope were the same handwritten words:
Do not contact my wife again.
Celeste recognized the handwriting.
She slowly turned toward Marcus.
The husband who claimed he was protecting her had known her missing sister was alive.
