Sienna parked her Porsche in the circular drive. She sat for a moment, gripping the steering wheel, staring at the massive front doors.
"Showtime," she whispered.
She got out, smoothing her jeans. She walked in, the heavy oak doors groaning as she pushed them open.
"Sienna?" A voice called from the parlor.
Evelyn Sterling appeared in the doorway. She looked like a watercolor painting—soft ,and beautiful. She was wearing a cream cashmere set that looked comfortable but cost a fortune. Her blonde hair, the same shade as Sienna's, was pulled back in a loose chignon.
"Mom," Sienna exhaled, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. She walked over and hugged her mother. Evelyn smelled of lavender.
"You're early," Evelyn said, pulling back to look at her. She smiled, but her eyes were anxious, darting toward the stairs. "Your father is in his study on a call with the Governor. We have to be quiet."
"I'm always quiet," Sienna muttered. "Is the dress here?"
"Ah. Yes. The dress." Evelyn's smile faltered slightly. She tucked a strand of blonde hair—the same shade as Sienna's—behind her ear. "It's upstairs. Hanging on your wardrobe door. It's... striking."
"It's red, isn't it?" Sienna sighed, dropping onto the sofa. "He insisted on the red."
"He thinks it commands attention," Evelyn said
"It's fine," Sienna cut her off. She didn't want to hear her mother apologize for him again. It was the soundtrack of her childhood. I tried, Sienna. He insisted, Sienna. Just go along with it, Sienna.
"Are you hungry?" Evelyn asked, linking her arm through Sienna's. "Cook made those little cucumber sandwiches you like. Or we could have a drink? It's five o'clock somewhere."
Sienna looked at her mother. It was 11:00 AM.
"A drink sounds good," Sienna said.
They went into the sunroom. It was the only room in the house that felt lived-in, mostly because it was Evelyn's sanctuary. There were books piled on the tables, half-dead orchids she insisted on tending herself, and a bar cart that was always stocked.
Evelyn poured two glasses of Chardonnay. Her hand shook slightly as she handed one to Sienna.
"So," Evelyn sat on the floral sofa, curling her legs under her. "How is school? How is Roman?"
"School is school," Sienna took a sip. "Roman is good.."
"He loves you," Evelyn said softly. "I see the way he looks at you. Like he wants to build a wall around you and keep you there."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"It depends on the wall," Evelyn swirled her wine. She looked out the window at the sprawling gardens. "Sometimes, safety feels like a trap. Just... be careful, Si. The Vane men are powerful. Power changes people."
" Dad is powerful," Sienna pointed out. "Did it change him?"
Evelyn went still. She took a long drink. "Your father has always been exactly who he is. I was just... young. I thought I could soften the edges."
"Did you?"
Evelyn looked at Sienna. Her eyes were sad. "I think I just got cut."
Sienna squeezed her mother's hand. "Dad protects us, doesn't he? In his own way?"
Evelyn looked down at their joined hands. She twisted the massive diamond ring on her finger. "Your father protects the Sterling name. We just happen to have the same last name."
It was the most honest thing Evelyn had ever said about her marriage.
"Mom," Sienna whispered. "Are you happy?"
Evelyn looked up, surprised by the question. She looked around the sunroom, at the expensive furniture, the sprawling grounds outside, the life of luxury she had lived for twenty-five years.
"I'm comfortable," Evelyn said carefully. "I have a beautiful home. I have a daughter who is smart and kind and stronger than she knows. Happiness... happiness is a fleeting thing, baby. Comfort lasts longer."
"That sounds lonely," Sienna said.
"It can be," Evelyn admitted. She took a long drink of her wine. "But loneliness is quiet. I like quiet."
The door opened.
The air in the room vanished.
Senator Sterling stood there. He was wearing his reading glasses, holding a stack of files. He looked at the two women sitting in the sunroom with glasses of wine.
"celebrating early?" he asked. His voice was light, but the undercurrent was sharp.
Evelyn stood up immediately, setting her glass down so hard it sloshed over the rim. "William. I didn't hear you come out."
"Clearly." He walked into the room. He didn't look at Evelyn. He looked at the spill on the table. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed it up. "Sienna. You're here."
"Hi, Dad."
"Did you try the dress?"
"Not yet. I just got here."
"Well, go try it. The tailor is coming at noon for final alterations. I don't want you rushing." He looked at Evelyn. "And Evelyn, the florist called. Apparently, you changed the centerpieces for the Gala tables again. Peonies instead of Roses?"
"The roses looked wilted, William," Evelyn said, her voice small. "I thought the peonies were fresher."
"I prefer roses," the Senator said. "Roses are classic. Peonies are messy. They shed petals everywhere. Change it back."
"But the order is already—"
"Change. It. Back."
He didn't raise his voice. He didn't have to.
Evelyn shrank. "Okay. I'll call them."
"Good." He turned to Sienna. "Upstairs. Now."
Sienna stood up. She looked at her mother. Evelyn was staring at the floor, defeated over flowers.
"Coming," Sienna said.
She walked past her father, careful not to touch him. As she reached the door, she heard him speak to her mother again.
"And Evelyn? Switch to water. Your eyes look puffy. It ruins the family photos."
Sienna ran up the stairs. She ran until she reached her bedroom, slamming the door shut.
The red dress was hanging on the door of her wardrobe. It looked like a pool of blood suspended in the air.
Sienna walked over to her nightstand. She opened the drawer. Buried under a stack of old birthday cards was a small orange bottle.
She didn't know whose name was on the label. Maybe Becca's. Maybe a fake name.
She shook one pill out.
Sienna popped the pill.
"Happy family," she whispered.