The toys were still in my hands when I saw her. Barefoot on the cold marble, in her wrinkled yellow dress, picking dry dog food out of the bowl with fingers that wouldn't stop shaking.

The night of the gala arrived with a bitter, freezing wind whipping off Lake Michigan, but inside the sprawling mansion, the air was warm and heavy with anticipation.

Richard stood in the master suite, adjusting his custom silk bow tie in the mirror. The heavy oak doors clicked open behind him.

Eleanor stepped into the room, looking like a terrifyingly beautiful vision of greed. She wore a custom-designed, blood-red silk gown that hugged every curve of her body, cascading into a sweeping train that brushed the marble floor. Her blonde hair was pinned up in an intricate, flawless style.

She walked toward him, radiating absolute, intoxicating triumph. She felt like a queen mere moments away from her coronation.

"How do I look?" she asked, spinning slowly to show off the gown.

"You look exactly as you deserve to look," Richard replied softly, his voice an unreadable, smooth baritone.

He walked over to his heavy mahogany dresser and picked up a black velvet box. He snapped it open.

Resting on the dark fabric was a spectacular, five-million-dollar diamond necklace. The stones were massive, flawless, and caught the ambient light like shattered glass.

Eleanor gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in genuine shock. The sheer monetary value of the jewels momentarily broke her composed facade.

"Richard... it's breathtaking," she whispered, stepping closer, her eyes glued to the diamonds.

"Turn around," he commanded gently.

She obeyed eagerly. Richard lifted the heavy, freezing diamonds and draped them around her delicate neck. He fastened the complicated clasp, his large hands lingering for a fraction of a second against her skin. He could feel her pulse racing with excitement. He knew it was the pulse of a thief about to steal an empire.

"It's heavy," Eleanor murmured, touching the largest stone resting against her collarbone.

"Power usually is," Richard said, stepping back to admire his work. The diamonds looked like a glittering, inescapable collar around her neck.

He offered her his arm. "Are you ready to face our guests, my love?"