Chapter 1: The Empty PlateThe dining room smelled like rosemary, butter, and roasted lamb.I hated that smell now.It reminded me of expensive dinners where everyone ate while pretending not to notice I wasn’t.The Vale mansion glowed with soft golden light from the crystal chandeliers overhead. Silver cutlery sparkled against white plates. Wine glasses reflected tiny flashes of light across the table.Everything looked perfect.Except the plate in front of me.Three raw celery sticks.One glass of water.That was it.I stared at the plate for so long my vision started to blur around the edges.To my left, Eleanor Vale cut neatly into a thick piece of lamb, her diamond bracelets sliding elegantly against her wrist. She didn’t even look at me when she spoke.“You understand why I asked the chef to prepare something lighter for you tonight, don’t you, Zoe?”Her voice sounded smooth. Cultured.Like humiliation delivered politely somehow hurt less.“I’m fine,” I whispered automatically.
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