Chapter 1 - THE LAKE
Margaret Carter did not hesitate.
She grabbed Buddy with both hands.
The tiny golden puppy squirmed.
Emily was still inside the house, trapped in conversation with relatives she barely remembered.
Outside, Margaret looked at the soaked lawn beside the private lake.
Party decorations moved in the summer wind.
White flowers.
Champagne tables.
A banner for the Carter Humane Legacy Foundation.
Margaret’s foundation.
Her reputation.
Her party.
Buddy barked.
Margaret’s expression tightened.
“You’ve ruined enough.”
She forced him into a large plastic bag.
Closed it.
Then hurled it into the lake.
SPLASH.
The bag hit the water.
Buddy whimpered.
Margaret brushed off her hands.
“Good. Now it’s gone.”
She turned toward the house.
Then the back doors burst open.
Emily saw the floating bag.
Saw the tiny collar.
“BUDDY!”
She ran.
Margaret stepped in front of her.
“Don’t make a scene.”
Emily shoved past.
Charged into the shallow water.
Grabbed the bag.
Ripped it open.
Buddy emerged soaked and trembling.
Alive.
Emily held him against her chest.
Margaret rolled her eyes.
“Oh, for God’s sake.”
Emily stared at her.
Margaret continued:
“It’s just a stupid puppy.”
Then:
“You’re embarrassing yourself.”
Emily knelt on the shore, crying.
Margaret gestured toward the expensive party.
“I wasn’t ruining MY party for that thing.”
Emily looked up.
“Buy another one and grow up.”
Something inside her went silent.
She stood.
Wiped her face.
Held Buddy tighter.
“You’re going to regret this.”
For the first time all afternoon, Margaret’s smile weakened.
May you like
Not because she feared Emily.
Because three donors standing near the terrace had heard every word.
