Chapter 8 - THE WOMAN WHO READ THE WRONG FILE
Serena reached Victor’s study first.
She had copied the exit folder days earlier.
Now she wanted the original.
Why?
Because one page was missing from her copy.
A handwritten page Victor had removed before she photographed it.
She found it beneath a false bottom.
Three names.
Victor.
Serena.
Elena.
Beside Serena:
Useful through transition. Limit equity exposure.
Her stomach turned.
Below:
Post-marriage agreement mandatory before public announcement.
Serena had never seen a post-marriage agreement.
Then a second note:
If Elena appears, do not contact police until trust status confirmed.
Serena froze.
If Elena appears.
Victor had considered that possibility.
Why?
Because he was not certain she was dead.
Footsteps approached.
Serena shoved the page into her dress.
Victor entered.
He looked at the open drawer.
Then at her.
“What did you take?”
“Nothing.”
“Serena.”
She stepped backward.
“What happened at the cliff?”
His expression did not move.
“Elena fell.”
“Did you push her?”
“No.”
Fast.
Too fast.
“You told me it was done.”
Victor stared.
Serena realized what she had admitted.
She had heard that call.
The night of the cliff.
Victor had called her from the car.
“It’s done.”
At the time, he told her he meant the marriage.
Now the words sounded different.
Victor stepped closer.
“You misunderstood.”
“Then explain.”
“Not now.”
“Why did you prepare an escape passport?”
His face changed.
That was answer enough.
Then every television in the mansion turned on.
Victor spun.
The upstairs monitor showed security footage from the closed overlook gate.
His Bentley.
Two figures.
Only one returning.
Downstairs, guests began murmuring.
Victor ran toward the hall.
Serena stayed.
Then Elena’s voice came through the mansion speakers:
“You told police you never walked down that trail.”
Victor stopped.
Elena continued.
“So why are you the only one who came back?”
Victor looked at Serena.
May you like
For the first time, she saw fear become rage.
And then he grabbed her wrist.
