Chapter 4
Victor picked up my notebook first.
My breath caught.
I had written everything in there because I had no one to tell.
March 4: Serena sent me to the kitchen, then Ethan screamed behind locked nursery door.
March 9: Ethan flinched when Serena raised her hand.
March 12: Serena said, “Once Victor signs, none of this will matter.”
March 15: Ethan had bruise on left arm.
Victor read in silence.
Serena shook her head.
“She’s insane.”
I wanted to defend myself.
But Victor opened Emily’s envelope.
His hands were not steady.
Inside was a letter and a small flash drive.
Victor read the letter.
His face collapsed slowly, like each sentence took something from him.
Then he handed it to Dr. Mercer.
“No,” Serena said.
Victor looked at her.
“You don’t get to say no.”
Dr. Mercer read aloud.
Victor, if you are reading this, I was right to be afraid.
Someone has been coming into the house when you’re gone.
Someone knows my schedule, my medicine, my passwords.
Serena says she is my friend, but I found her in your office twice.
My heart stopped.
Serena had been Emily’s friend.
She had never told me that.
Victor turned the page.
If I do not survive childbirth, protect Ethan from her.
Do not let her become his mother.
Do not let her near my trust papers.
Victor lowered the letter.
His eyes were wet.
“You knew Emily.”
Serena lifted her chin.
“She was unstable.”
Victor’s voice broke.
“You came to me at her funeral and said you had met her once at a charity luncheon.”
“She asked me to protect you.”
“She warned me against you.”
Serena looked at the flash drive.
Then she ran.
Victor moved after her, but I was closer to the hallway.
I stepped in front of Serena without thinking.
She shoved me hard into the wall.
Pain flashed white.
Victor caught her by the arm before she reached the stairs.
“Let go of me!”
Ethan started crying again.
Dr. Mercer pulled him close.
Victor dragged Serena back into the nursery.
“Sit down.”
She laughed wildly.
“You think a letter from a dead woman proves anything?”
Victor held up the flash drive.
“No. This might.”
I ran downstairs for a laptop.
My side screamed with every step.
When I came back, Serena was crying.
Real tears now.
“Victor, please. I loved you.”
He did not answer.
I plugged in the drive.
A video file opened.
Emily appeared on screen, pregnant, pale, and terrified.
Victor covered his mouth.
“If you’re watching this,” Emily said, “then Serena has probably gotten close to you.”
Serena whispered, “Turn it off.”
Emily continued.
“I found transfers from my trust account into a company called ValeBridge Holdings.”
Victor looked at Serena.
“I asked Serena about it,” Emily said. “She told me I was imagining things. Then my medication started tasting bitter.”
Dr. Mercer went still.
The video flickered.
Emily leaned closer.
“And Victor... if our son is alive, do not leave him alone with her.”
The room went silent.
May you like
Then a crash came from downstairs.
Someone had entered the mansion.
