Chapter 5

The moment the words left my mouth, all the air was sucked out of the ballroom.

The flowers, the champagne, the crystal chandeliers, the guests in their pastel evening wear—everything froze.

My black dress cut through the room like an open wound.

Dominic finally snapped out of it. He lowered his voice, a harsh whisper.

"Claire, don't do this here."

I ignored him.

I turned to the guests, and to the camera.

"Most of you probably don't know this, but Vanessa Hayes is my adopted sister."

"She grew up in the Hayes household. I paid her college tuition. I got…