I lost my husband, my marriage, and the life I had spent eleven years building in a single morning when Jason signed our divorce papers / Chapter 47 / 60

Chapter 47 - The Poisoned Chalice

The gala was an exquisite blur of champagne flutes, classical violin concertos, and respectful congratulations from diplomats and business leaders. Aurelia was safely asleep at Villa Rossi under the personal supervision of Giancarlo and eight armed private guards.

Yet, as the clock struck eleven, an unnatural chill settled over the perimeter of the ballroom.

I was standing near the French doors overlooking the moonlit waters of the lake, speaking with the French Ambassador, when a waiter with slicked-back hair offered me a fresh glass of sparkling water on a silver tray.

"For the Signora," the waiter murmured politely, his eyes averted.

I reached for the crystal flute, but just before my fingers touched the stem, my peripheral vision caught something that froze the blood in my veins. The waiter’s left wrist bore a distinct, faded tattoo—a small crossed-oars insignia from the Dartmouth rowing team.

*Jason’s rowing fraternity.*

My gaze shot up to the waiter’s face. Beneath the dyed hair and subtle prosthetic makeup on his cheekbone, the cruel, desperate contours of Jason Vance’s face suddenly became unmistakably clear.

"Drink it, Francesca," Jason whispered, his voice trembling with a terrifying blend of hatred and madness, leaning in so only I could hear. "Drink to the end of our eleven years."

Panic screamed inside my mind, but before I could react, Jason’s hand slid inside his tuxedo jacket, grasping the handle of a concealed ceramic blade.