Chapter 2 - Behind Closed Doors
The first slap came only four weeks after the honeymoon.
Rebecca stood frozen inside the kitchen.
Trevor lowered his hand slowly.
"I didn't mean to."
Neither of them mentioned it again.
The second slap came two months later.
The apology included roses.
The third came after Trevor lost money in a risky investment.
This time he blamed stress.
Rebecca believed him.
At least...
She wanted to believe him.
Months became years.
The apologies became shorter.
The violence became worse.
Trevor slowly isolated her from everyone she loved.
Old friends stopped calling.
Employees were replaced with people Trevor trusted.
Security cameras mysteriously disappeared from parts of the house.
Even Richard noticed Rebecca visiting less often.
Whenever he asked why, Trevor answered for her.
"She's exhausted."
"Pregnancy has been difficult."
"She's resting."
Rebecca always smiled weakly.
"I'm fine, Dad."
Richard wasn't convinced.
One afternoon he secretly visited the estate without warning.
Trevor welcomed him warmly.
Rebecca wore a long-sleeved dress despite the summer heat.
Richard hugged his daughter.
He felt her flinch.
Only for a fraction of a second.
But fathers notice things others never do.
As he stepped away, he caught sight of a fading bruise beneath her sleeve.
Rebecca quickly pulled the fabric down.
"I'm just clumsy."
Richard nodded.
He said nothing.
On the drive home, he called the same investigator.
"I need answers."
The investigator hesitated.
"I've been trying to tell you something."
Richard's expression hardened.
"What?"
"I think Trevor isn't after your daughter's inheritance."
Richard frowned.
"What do you mean?"
The investigator took a slow breath.
"I think he's after something much bigger."
Before Richard could ask another question...
The call suddenly disconnected.
Miles away, inside a black SUV parked across the street from Rebecca's home, a man quietly lowered a device that had intercepted the signal.
He picked up his phone.
"There may be a problem," he said calmly.
May you like
A familiar voice answered from the other end.
"Then make sure Richard Lawson never learns the truth."
