chapter1284

Peyton squeezed the little vial in her hand, feeling her nerves spike as she nodded. "Okay, I got it."

"Go ahead, do what you need to do. Don't worry about us."

Peyton offered an apologetic smile. "Please, just make yourselves comfortable."

"Thanks, we will." Juna gently led Lydia over to a quiet spot in the corner, away from the crowd.

Across the room, Alyssa stood in the shadows, watching Lydia and Juna with a cold, unreadable expression. Ever since those two girls had shown up, she couldn't shake this uneasy feeling. Something about them felt off, like their arrival wasn't just a coincidence. Especially the girl who couldn't see. If she was blind, why wasn't she at home? What was she doing at a party, anyway? The whole thing made Alyssa suspicious. She quickly called over a couple of people and told them to keep a discreet eye on Lydia and Juna.

The party officially kicked off. The lights dimmed, and a slideshow started playing on the huge screen, showing years of photos of Adrian and Ivonne together. As the images flashed by, everyone in the room seemed to melt with envy. Thirty years, and not once had anyone come between them. Their love had shifted from wild passion to something gentle and steady, but it was obvious they were still truly in love.

In the middle of the crowd, Peyton glanced over at Alyssa, letting her gaze linger for a moment before looking away like nothing was out of the ordinary. Alyssa's wine glass was sitting on a long table nearby. Soon, the whole family would gather for a toast in front of everyone. It was the perfect chance.

With the lights low and everyone focused on the screen, Peyton gripped the cold vial a little tighter. She took a steadying breath, then quietly made her way toward the table, blending in so no one would notice her. Her heartbeat was pounding in her ears as she lined up the vial over the wine glass and gave her wrist the tiniest shake. The powder drifted into the wine, dissolving instantly. No one around her noticed a thing.

She slipped the vial back into her pocket and merged into the crowd just as the lights came back up, in a soft

flooding the ballnet

golden glow. Adrian and vonn walked onto the stage together,

hands linked and faces glowing with happiness. Adrian picked up the microphone, his voice warm and full of pride.

"Thank you all for coming to celebrate our thirtieth wedding anniversary: Over these thirty years, we've stuck together through everything-good times and bad, laughter and tears. We never gaye up on each other. So now, les raise our glasses as a family, and toast to this amazing moment."

The Reynolds family made their way onto the stage, Alyssa included. She picked up her wine glass with practiced grace, her smile polite and pictureperfect. Peyton stood close by, barely breathing as she watched Alyssa lift the glass to her lips and herlips dunk. Her heart felt like it was about to stop. Only when Alyssa set the empty glass down did Peyton finally let herself breathe again.

Lydia's drug would take about two hours to kick in. By the time the party was winding down, Alyssa started to feel drowsy. She checked the time. Eleven o'clock. No wonder she was tired, she thought. It was late, so she didn't think much of it.

She'd originally planned to go back to the office. The truth was, she had her own apartment nearby and usually stayed there, but her family had no idea. They all thought she just worked late and slept at the office.

"Dad, Mom, happy anniversary. I still have some things to finish up at work, so I won't be coming home with you tonight."

Adrian and Ivonne looked disappointed at her words. Peyton spoke up right away. "Alyssa, you need to take care of yourself. It's already so late. Why not just come home tonight? Mom and Dad would love to have you there. How long has it been since you actually stayed over?"

Alyssa had come straight to the party from work and hadn't been home at all. Ivonne chimed in, That's right, Alyssa. You've had a lot to drink tonight, and the office can't be as comfortable as home. Just come back with us for tonight."