Chapter 2
The shadow didn't move.
Neither did I.
For several seconds, the entire mansion seemed to hold its breath.
Then Vanessa stepped into the foyer.
She was wearing a cream blouse and black trousers, her dark hair pulled neatly behind her shoulders.
She looked calm.
Almost bored.
The keys in her hand made one final metallic sound before she closed her fingers around them.
“Owen?”
Her eyes moved to the open hatch.
Then to Sophie.
Then back to me.
I watched her face carefully.
There was no surprise.
Not even a flicker.
That was when I knew.
She already knew about the door.
“What happened?” she asked.
I didn't answer.
She smiled faintly.
“You look frightened.”
I stepped backward.
“Stay where you are.”
Her smile disappeared.
“Owen, what's going on?”
From beneath the floor came Natalie's voice.
“Owen, don't listen to her.”
Vanessa's eyes shifted toward the opening.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
Recognition.
Fear.
She knew Natalie was down there.
I felt something inside me crack.
“Where's the key?” I asked.
Vanessa stared at me.
“What key?”
“The one you used to lock her down there.”
Her face hardened.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“You heard her.”
“Owen, you're not thinking clearly.”
“Don't tell me what I'm thinking.”
Sophie pressed herself against my leg.
Vanessa took one step forward.
I immediately raised my hand.
“Stop.”
She froze.
Natalie shouted from below.
“Owen, get Sophie out of here!”
I looked down.
“I’m getting you out too.”
“No!”
Natalie's voice trembled.
“Not until you understand.”
“Understand what?”
Silence.
Then Natalie whispered, “She didn't put me here because she hates me.”
Vanessa laughed.
It was a small, bitter laugh.
“She finally told you.”
I stared at her.
“Told me what?”
Vanessa looked at Natalie.
“You really want him to know?”
Natalie didn't answer.
My pulse hammered.
“Both of you stop.”
I pointed at Vanessa.
“Why was my wife locked beneath my house?”
Vanessa's expression changed.
For the first time, I saw something underneath her calm exterior.
Anger.
“You were never supposed to find her.”
The words hit me like a physical blow.
Sophie gasped.
I felt my hands curl into fists.
“What did you say?”
Vanessa realized her mistake.
She stepped backward.
I moved toward her.
“You said I wasn't supposed to find her.”
“I meant—”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“You knew.”
She said nothing.
“You knew Natalie was here.”
Still nothing.
“How long?”
Vanessa's jaw tightened.
“Owen…”
“How long?”
She finally whispered, “Six days.”
Six days.
My wife had been trapped beneath our house for six days.
I remembered every morning.
Every dinner.
Every time Vanessa had told me Natalie had left.
Every time I had believed her.
I looked down at Sophie.
Her little face was wet with tears.
“Daddy,” she whispered, “is Mommy coming home?”
I swallowed.
“Yes.”
Then I looked at Vanessa.
“And you're going to tell me everything.”
She suddenly turned toward the hallway.
I saw her hand move toward her pocket.
I reacted instantly.
I grabbed her wrist.
“What are you reaching for?”
“Nothing.”
I pulled her hand free.
A small black key dropped onto the marble.
It landed between us.
Natalie screamed from below.
“That key!”
I picked it up.
The metal was cold.
Vanessa stared at it like it was a weapon.
I looked at the stairway.
Then back at her.
“What does this open?”
Vanessa didn't answer.
The mansion lights suddenly flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Then the foyer went dark.
Sophie screamed.
I pulled her against me.
Somewhere below us, a lock clicked.
Then another.
May you like
Natalie shouted one word.
“Owen!”
