Alistair ~
I arrived at the Whitlock house just as a cab pulled away from the curb. I had been calling Maisie all morning, but she didn’t answer. I sent many texts, but she ignored all of them. That wasn’t like her… but lately, nothing about her felt the same. She had been quiet and distant. I told myself it was just wedding stress and that she would feel better once everything was over.
The front door was slightly ajar. I pushed it open and stepped inside.
Maisie stood in the living room, her back to me, her mother inches from her. The tension in the room was the kind that made your chest tighten before you even understood why. Then Mrs. Whitlock suddenly raised her hand and slapped her.
The sound echoed through through the room, silencing everyone. Maisie's head snapped to the si
