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Chapter 29: Beatrice’s Invitation

Author: FortunaSolis
last update publish date: 2025-12-27 19:36:18

The envelope arrived just after noon, delivered by hand.

Lillian was trimming hydrangeas when the shadow fell across the counter. She looked up to see a woman in a charcoal dress, posture immaculate, holding cream-colored stationery sealed with pale gold wax. No logo. No crest. Just weight.

“For Miss Lillian Bloom,” the woman said. Her voice was courteous, rehearsed.

Lillian wiped her hands on her apron before accepting it. The paper was thick. Old-fashioned. The kind chosen by people who did n
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