Shadows, Secrets, and a Spark of Power
Claire Halden’s office looked like it had been plucked from a high-fashion magazine. Minimalist, spotless, and laced with luxury. Every corner gleamed with calculated charm—like the woman herself.
Tessa took a seat across from Claire, doing her best to steady her heartbeat.
“Your resumé is… impressive,” Claire said, flipping through the fabricated document. “But I must say, Maya, you walked in without an appointment. That’s not exactly standard procedure.”
“I know,” Tessa replied, careful not to oversell it. “But I figured someone like you would appreciate a little risk.”
Claire’s lips curled. “Perhaps.”
Tessa kept her posture confident. It was hard pretending to be someone else while her mother lay in a hospital bed, hooked to machines. But
