Chapter 2 - The House of Broken PromisesThe SUV moved through the sleeping city like a black shadow.
Marcus sat in the rear compartment with Mia pressed against his side and the newborn sleeping between them in a secured carrier. For the first time in months, perhaps for the first time since his wife had died giving birth to their son, Marcus allowed himself to breathe.
But the relief lasted less than a minute.
Mia was still shaking.
Every few seconds, her tiny fingers tightened around the sleeve of his suit as though she feared that if she let go, he might disappear too.
Marcus looked down at her.
"I'm here."
She didn't answer.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Still nothing.
Then, in a voice so quiet he almost missed it, Mia whispered, "Daddy?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Is Victoria coming back?"
Marcus's jaw tightened.
"No."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Mia looked toward the dark window.
"She said you wouldn't believe me."
Marcus felt something cold settle inside his chest.
"What else did she say?"
Mia hesitated.
"She said... if I told you, you'd send me away."
Marcus closed his eyes for one second.
The words hurt more than any bullet could have.
"Who told you that?"
"Victoria."
Marcus stared at the city lights sliding across the window.
"She lied."
Mia finally looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because she wanted you to be afraid."
Mia's lips trembled.
Marcus pulled her closer.
"You don't have to be afraid anymore."
Across from them, Thorne sat silently, his broad shoulders filling half the seat. His phone vibrated.
He looked at the screen.
Then at Marcus.
"Sir."
Marcus immediately noticed the change in his expression.
"What?"
Thorne handed him the phone.
"It's from the house security system."
Marcus read the message.
UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS DETECTED — STUDY LEVEL.
His eyes narrowed.
"Victoria was arrested five minutes ago."
"Correct."
"Then who is inside my house?"
Thorne's hand moved instinctively toward the weapon concealed beneath his jacket.
"I don't know."
Marcus looked at Mia.
"Take the children to the safe residence."
Thorne nodded.
"Sir—"
"Now."
The SUV changed direction.
Marcus stared at the message again.
Someone was inside his house.
Someone who had waited until Victoria was arrested.
Someone who apparently knew exactly when he would leave.
And then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
Marcus answered.
"Who is this?"
Silence.
Then a man's voice.
Calm.
Almost amused.
"You should have stayed home tonight, Marcus."
Marcus sat completely still.
"Who are you?"
"You spent years believing Victoria was the biggest threat inside your house."
A pause.
"You were wrong."
Marcus's eyes hardened.
"What do you want?"
The stranger laughed softly.
"Ask yourself a better question."
"What question?"
"Why did Victoria know about the offshore trust?"
Marcus said nothing.
The man's voice dropped.
"Because she didn't discover it."
Marcus's blood ran cold.
"Someone told her."
The call ended.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Thorne finally spoke.
"Sir?"
Marcus slowly lowered the phone.
"Turn around."
Thorne frowned.
"We're taking the children to the safe house."
"Change of plan."
Marcus looked out into the darkness.
"We're going back."
Thorne's expression hardened.
"That's exactly what whoever called you wants."
"I know."
"Then why go?"
Marcus looked at Mia.
"Because whoever is behind this thinks I don't know what's happening."
His eyes became cold.
"I want them to keep thinking that."
The SUV turned around.
And twenty minutes later, Marcus returned to the house where his marriage had just collapsed.
Only now, the lights were off.
Every single one.
The front door stood open.
Marcus stepped out.
Thorne and two guards surrounded him.
The night was unnaturally quiet.
Marcus stared at his home.
Then he saw something on the marble steps.
A white envelope.
His name was written across it.
In Victoria's handwriting.
Marcus picked it up.
Inside was a single photograph.
It showed Mia sleeping in her bedroom.
Taken three nights earlier.
On the back, someone had written:
YOU WERE NEVER THE ONE PROTECTING YOUR CHILDREN.
Marcus's fingers tightened around the photograph.
For the first time that night, genuine fear entered his eyes.
May you like
Because the picture had been taken from inside the house.
And the bedroom door had been locked.
