Chapter 1

The Arizona sun beat down, but inside the exclusive wellness retreat, it was cool and quiet. I, Eleanor Vance, founder of AuraNova, was supposed to be healing. A near-fatal car accident, they called it. My husband, Rick, had been so concerned. I scrolled through my phone, a rare indulgence. An Instagram post caught my eye. Tiffany Maxwell, a parent from Chloe’s school, had tagged AuraNova. It was a party at my Connecticut estate. A lavish 18th birthday. But the girl in the custom gown, the one meant for my Chloe, wasn't Chloe. She was a stranger, a girl named Ashley. A video played. Ashley smiled, then gestured. "And this is my mother, Brenda Hoskins, the acting CEO of AuraNova." My breath caught. In the background, blurred but unmistakable, was Chloe. She looked small, serving drinks, her shoulders slumped. Someone bumped her, and she nearly fell. The girl, Ashley, laughed. My blood ran cold. I immediately called my housekeeper, Mrs. Peterson. She'd been with us for years. "Mrs. Peterson, what is going on at the house? There was a party." Her voice was strange, overly calm. "Oh, Mrs. Vance. Just a small get-together for Mr. Thorne's friend's daughter. Chloe is fine, just a little tired." Vague. Too reassuring. My hands shook. I disconnected. Chloe had a new guidance counselor at school, Ms. Evans. I’d received a welcome email. I dialed the school. "Ms. Evans, this is Eleanor Vance, Chloe Vance's mother." A pause. "Mrs. Vance? According to our records, Chloe is... she's the granddaughter of your housekeeper, Mrs. Peterson. Mr. Thorne has been very generous in allowing her to attend, though her tuition is considerably overdue." The words hit me like physical blows. Housekeeper's granddaughter. Overdue tuition. Rick. Brenda. Ashley. They hadn't just taken my company. They were trying to erase my daughter. My phone clattered to the floor. I was on the next flight to New York.