Product Description
The salty air whipped through Madeline's hair as she stood on the clifftop, watching the sun sink into the ocean. It was a scene of breathtaking beauty, yet all she felt was a deep, gnawing emptiness. Her perfect life, the one she'd painstakingly crafted, was crumbling around her like a sandcastle in a storm.<br><br>It all began with Celeste, her best friend since childhood. They were a tight-knit group, the "Monterey Five": Madeline, the outspoken, overprotective mother; Celeste, the stunningly beautiful, seemingly perfect wife; Jane, the quiet, enigmatic newcomer; Bonnie, the free-spirited, enigmatic artist; and Renata, the sharp-tongued, fiercely loyal businesswoman.<br><br>They shared secrets, whispered hopes, and celebrated triumphs. They also shared a shared fear, a dark secret that lurked beneath the surface of their seemingly perfect lives – domestic violence.<br><br>Celeste's husband, Perry, was charming, charismatic, and terrifyingly possessive. He would shower Celeste with lavish gifts, then berate her for the smallest perceived offense. Madeline witnessed the violence firsthand, the bruises, the tear-filled eyes, the hushed apologies. She knew she had to help, but she was paralyzed by fear, unsure how to intervene.
