Chapter 1 – The Crest Hidden in Lace
The boutique fell so silent that even the faint music drifting from the ceiling speakers seemed to disappear.
Sofia frowned.
She had expected the elegant stranger to criticize the old-fashioned gown. Instead, the woman stared at the inside of the sleeve as though she had seen a ghost.
"What did you just say?" Sofia asked quietly.
The blonde woman took one careful step forward. Her polished confidence had vanished, replaced by something dangerously close to panic.
"Take that dress off."
Her voice was calm, but every word landed like an order.
The boutique assistant hesitated.
"Mrs. Ellington..."
The woman shot her a sharp glance.
"I said take it off."
Sofia instinctively folded her arms over the embroidered crest.
"No."
The answer surprised even herself.
The two wealthy companions exchanged uneasy looks. They had followed Evelyn Ellington through charity galas, board meetings, and political fundraisers for years.
They had never heard anyone tell her no.
Evelyn inhaled slowly before forcing a smile.
"My dear, you don't understand. That dress belongs to my family."
Sofia looked down at the golden stitching again.
"The initials are E.M., not E.E."
The assistant's eyes widened.
She had noticed the same thing.
Evelyn's smile disappeared.
For the first time in decades, someone had questioned the story she had spent twenty years protecting.
Before anyone could speak again, an elderly woman emerged from the back of the boutique.
Her silver hair was tied neatly beneath a lace cap, and she leaned lightly on a polished wooden cane.
Everyone turned.
The assistant immediately straightened.
"Mrs. Margaret..."
Margaret had owned Maison Blanche Bridal Boutique for almost forty years.
She rarely came downstairs anymore.
Yet the moment she saw Sofia wearing the vintage dress, tears filled her eyes.
"My goodness..."
She whispered.
"It finally fits."
The room stared at her.
Margaret slowly approached Sofia instead of Evelyn.
With trembling fingers, she touched the lace sleeve.
"I've been waiting twenty years to see someone wear this."
Evelyn's face drained of color.
"You should go back upstairs," she interrupted quickly.
Margaret ignored her completely.
Instead, she looked directly into Sofia's eyes.
"What is your birthday, child?"
Sofia answered cautiously.
"September seventeenth."
Margaret closed her eyes.
The date hit her like an old wound reopening.
"Exactly..."
May you like
she murmured.
"The same day she disappeared."
