After dinner, the guests dispersed. Hattie signaled for Florence to follow her.
Hattie's private sitting room was a different world. It smelled of old books, sandalwood, and history. It was cluttered with memories, unlike the sterile luxury of the rest of the house.
Hattie dismissed her nurse. "Close the door, Florence."
Florence pushed the heavy door shut. She turned to find Hattie fumbling with a velvet pouch from under her lap blanket.
"Come here," Hattie commanded.
Florence sat on the ottoman at Hattie's feet.
Hattie opened the pouch. Inside lay a bracelet. It was heavy gold, inset with three massive, translucent emeralds. It looked ancient. It looked powerful.
"This was my grandmother's," Hattie said. "It is the Livingston matriarch's bracelet."
She grabbed Florence's wrist. Her grip was surprisingly strong. She snapped the bracelet onto Florence's arm. It was heavy. It felt like a shackle and a shield.
"This is for you," Hattie said. "And for the child."
"Grandma, I can't," Florence said. "Denese will be furious. She's been eyeing this for years."
"Denese is a fool," Hattie snapped. "She cares about status. This bracelet isn't just jewelry, Florence. It's a key."
Florence looked up. "A key?"
Hattie leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "It grants access. To the vault. To the real trust. The one the men don't control."
Florence stared at the emeralds. They seemed to glow in the dim light.
"I know things haven't been easy," Hattie said, her eyes searching Florence's face. "Garnett... he has his father's ambition, but not his heart. You need protection."
Florence felt a lump in her throat. Hattie knew. Maybe not everything, but she knew Florence was in danger.
"Thank you," Florence whispered.
The door banged open.
Denese stood there, her face twisted in rage. Blossom was behind her.
"Mother!" Denese shrieked. She pointed a manicured finger at Florence's wrist. "What have you done?"
"I gave a gift to my granddaughter-in-law," Hattie said calmly.
"That belongs to the family!" Denese yelled. "You can't give it to her. She's a Boone. She's an outsider!"
"She is carrying the heir!" Hattie's voice rose, cracking like a whip. "She is more family than you will ever be, Denese. Now get out!"
Denese stood there, chest heaving. She looked at the bracelet with a hunger that was terrifying. Then she looked at Florence with pure hatred.
She turned and marched out. Blossom glared at Florence before following.
"Go," Hattie said, slumping back in her chair, exhausted. "Watch your back, child."
Florence left the room. The hallway was dark.
Denese was waiting for her near the stairs.
She stepped out of the shadows. "Don't get too comfortable, Florence. That bracelet looks heavy on such a weak wrist."
Florence touched the cold metal. "I'm stronger than I look, Denese."
Denese sneered. "We'll see. Accidents happen, you know. Stairs are slippery. Food can be spoiled. Babies... are fragile."
It was a threat. A death threat.
Florence stepped closer to her mother-in-law. She was taller than Denese. She used that height now.
"If anything happens to me," Florence said, her voice low and dangerous, "or my baby, I will burn this house down with you inside it."
She walked past Denese, her heels clicking like gunshots on the hardwood floor.
