“No!”
Mara’s scream cut through the room like a sharp blade. It was shrill, terrified, nothing like the elegant voice she usually used when putting on her polite act. She stumbled backward in panic, nearly tripping over the edge of the carpet as she tried to hide behind Karen, pressing herself into her mother’s back like a frightened child. Her face had lost all color, and her carefully styled hair shook against her cheeks.
She looked like prey cornered by a wild animal.
Jacob’s expression shattered instantly. He turned pale as if all blood drained from his body, eyes wide, unable to believe the situation had twisted so violently. Karen’s heart jumped into her throat. She grabbed Mara’s arms as if expecting Ned to drag her away at any second.
They had spent years crafting Mara’s image
