As Chloe Bishop’s car pulled away, the silence outside the West Side villa was broken only by the soft sobbing of Yvonne Blue. She stood there, trembling in Sarah Vance’s stolen silk nightgown, her small face a mask of exquisite guilt.
"Arthur... what do we do?" Yvonne whispered, her voice cracking. "It’s all my fault. I’ve dragged you into this. I’m a sinner... I’ve ruined everything."
Before Arthur Vance could even respond, Yvonne raised her hand and delivered a sharp, echoing slap to her own cheek. The sound was startlingly loud in the quiet morning air.
Arthur’s heart constricted. Seeing the red mark blooming on her pale skin, he stepped forward and pulled the swaying woman into a tight embrace. "Don't do that, Yvonne! You aren't to blame. If there’s a mistake here, it’s mine."
Yvo
