Chapter 3 - THE EMPTY MANSION
Alexander returned home that evening.
The mansion was silent.
No music from the kitchen.
No flowers on the dining table.
No warm light glowing beneath our bedroom door.
He called my name.
“Claire?”
Nothing.
He walked upstairs.
Our bedroom looked almost normal.
Except my side of the closet was empty.
My jewelry box was gone.
The framed photograph from our wedding had disappeared.
And on the dresser lay my wedding ring.
Beside it was a note.
Alexander,
I called you because I was afraid.
You taught me that I could trust you to come.
Last night, I learned that your promises depended on who else needed you.
I won't raise our child in a marriage where love must compete for attention.
Please communicate through my attorney.
Claire.
Alexander read the letter three times.
Then called me.
Straight to voicemail.
He called again.
Nothing.
He called my brother.
Michael answered.
“Where is she?” Alexander demanded.
“Safe.”
Alexander's jaw tightened.
“I need to speak to my wife.”
Michael's voice was cold.
“She doesn't want to speak to you.”
“Michael—”
“You had your chance.”
The line went dead.
Alexander stood in our bedroom.
May you like
For the first time in years, he couldn't order someone to fix what he'd broken.
And the silence frightened him more than any enemy ever had.
