Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN BEHIND THE POWER OUTAGE
Sophia arrived at the mansion the next morning.
She wore a cream coat and carried a paper bag from Alexander's favorite bakery.
“Alexander?”
He stood near the windows.
She smiled gently.
“I brought breakfast.”
He didn't turn.
“Why?”
Sophia blinked.
“What?”
“Why did you call me that night?”
Her smile faded.
“The power went out.”
Alexander looked at her.
“For how long?”
She hesitated.
“I don't remember.”
He stepped closer.
“Five minutes? Ten?”
Sophia swallowed.
“Alexander, why are you interrogating me?”
He stared.
Then asked, “Why were you at the hospital?”
She looked down.
“I felt faint.”
He nodded slowly.
“And the doctors?”
She hesitated.
“They said I was exhausted.”
Alexander's expression hardened.
He remembered Claire standing in the hallway.
Pale.
Frightened.
One hand pressed against her pregnant stomach.
And he remembered asking whether the break-in had been real.
The memory made him sick.
Sophia reached for his arm.
“Alexander, Claire is overreacting.”
He stepped away.
“Don't.”
She froze.
He looked at her.
“Don't speak about my wife.”
Sophia's face changed.
For the first time, she understood that something had shifted.
May you like
Alexander wasn't looking at her with concern anymore.
He was looking at her with suspicion.
