Chapter 2

I found Mother in her suite, calm and elegant as always.

"Mother," I said, my voice even, "my gown is missing."

She looked up from her correspondence, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

"Missing, Scarlett? Are you certain?"

"Yes. And I know who has it."

Babs. It had to be.

Mother frowned. "Brittany? But why?"

"It doesn't matter why, Mother. What matters is I need a gown for tonight."

I paused. "I was thinking... yours."

A slow smile spread across her face. "My darling girl. An excellent choice."

The gown was even more stunning than I remembered from family stories.

Ivory silk, intricate lace, pearls that seemed to glow.

It fit as if made for me.

When I descended the grand staircase later that evening, a hush fell over the assembled guests.

This wasn't just a debutante in a beautiful dress.

This was Scarlett Ashley, daughter of the Governor, every inch the heiress.

Then I saw her.

Babs.

Standing near the entrance, preening in my stolen gown.

The unique Ashley embroidery, the one only Ashley women were permitted to wear, was a blatant insult on her.

She was dazzling Tom Jr. and Beau, just like before.

But this time, the script would change.

I walked directly towards her.

The crowd parted.

Babs saw me, her smile faltering for a split second before returning, brighter, falser.

"Scarlett, darling! You look... lovely."

"You, however," I said, my voice clear and carrying, "are a thief."

Gasps rippled through the room.

Babs' s face paled. "What are you talking about?"

"That gown you're wearing. It's mine. Stolen from my room."

I turned to the shocked onlookers. "She has defiled a sacred family tradition. That embroidery is for Ashley women alone."

Beau stepped forward, his face tight with disapproval.

"Scarlett! How can you be so cruel? Babs looks beautiful. This is uncalled for."

He put a protective arm around Babs, who was starting to look tearful.

"Apologize to Babs, Scarlett," Beau demanded. "If you want to salvage our engagement, you will apologize now."

I looked at him, at the man I almost married, the man who sent me to die.

My hand moved before I thought.

The slap echoed in the sudden silence.

Beau recoiled, his hand flying to his cheek, shock on his face.

"Salvage our engagement?" I laughed, a cold, hard sound. "Don't be absurd, Beauregard. You seem to forget your family's standing compared to mine."