Chapter 1 – The Announcement
Chapter 1 – The Announcement
The Grand Ashford Hotel glittered beneath thousands of crystal lights as the city's most influential families gathered for the engagement gala of billionaire Ethan Blackwood and socialite Celeste Harrington.
Champagne flowed. Cameras flashed.
Then Celeste stepped onto the stage.
She rested both hands on her stomach and smiled through carefully rehearsed tears.
"Ethan... we're going to have a baby."
The ballroom erupted.
Board members cheered.
Politicians applauded.
The Blackwood family patriarch stood with tears in his eyes.
Only one person remained silent.
Lena Brooks, a quiet housekeeper, stood near the doorway holding the hand of her four-year-old son, Noah, who had accompanied her because his babysitter had canceled at the last minute.
Noah frowned.
"Mommy..."
"What is it?"
"That's not a baby."
Lena's heart skipped.
"What do you mean?"
"The lady hid the squishy tummy in the blue closet."
May you like
His innocent voice carried farther than either of them expected.
Every conversation stopped.
