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I nod. “He’s got cancer. Terminal. Just a few months left to live. Christopher only just told me, in the drawing room.”

Bryce’s eyebrows are still creased. His eyes sinking into mine.

“And Christopher told you this, did he?”

“Yes. Just before the party started. I had no idea. I didn’t know.”

Bryce shakes his head. His smile is so weird. His laugh so twisted.

“I guess Christopher hasn’t changed one fucking bit after all then, has he?”

“What do you mean?”

Bryce sighs.

“Trevor Otley isn’t dying, Alice. That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. He was discussing a Miami golfing holiday with your father last week. They’re booking it in for October. Next year.”

The cupboard shrinks around me. Walls tightening so hard, I can hardly breathe.

“What?”

Bryce takes hold of my shoulders, as though he wants to shake me. He should.

“He lied to you. He played you for a fucking fool.” His stare is so pained. “And it paid off, didn’t it? I bet the whole crowd of them have been in on it for months, but not to this extent. Not lying about Trevor Otley’s death. That’s all from Christopher’s warped fucking mind.”

I don’t want to believe it.

I can’t.

“He’s dying, Bryce. He’s just trying to hide it.”

“I watched them searching through venues, Alice. I know the shortlist of where they’re going to fucking go.”

I stare at my hand in horror. Pure abject horror.

I got duped.

Played for a fool.

“What do I do now?” I ask Bryce. “Just tell me, please. What the fuck do I do?”

His stare is still so hurt. Burning.

“Prepare yourself for being an Otley,” he says. “I don’t imagine you have all that long until the ceremony.”

“Bryce!”

“You’d better get back out there, they’ll be talking.”

“And what about you?” I ask him. “Where are you going?”

“Anywhere but here,” he says.

“I’ll go out and tell them right now. I’ll tell them I made a mistake. I’ll say I’ve changed my mind!”

“Will you?” Bryce asks. “And then what? Your father turns your life into hell. Your mother sobs like you’re the biggest disappointment of their lives. Everyone stares on like you’ve lost your fucking mind. For what?”

For you.