~ Amara ~
The Grand Hotel loomed over the Ravenport skyline like a monument to old money. I sat in the back of a taxi, my fingers tracing the gold-embossed edges of my invitation. For months, I had arrived here in a tinted Maybach, hidden behind the "Moore" name and a husband who didn't see me. Tonight, the taxi pulled up to the curb, and the doorman didn't recognize me until he saw the name on the guest list.
"Ms. Kline," he said, his voice holding a new note of professional curiosity. "Welcome."
I stepped out into the flashing lights of the red carpet. The air was cool, but I didn't shiver. I wasn't wearing the muted pastels Helena used to pick to make me blend into the wallpaper. My dress was a sharp, architectural black velvet that fit like armor. I didn't wait for a hand to guide m
