Chapter 3 - The First Warning
Julian rested his back against the locked door.
Elena remained behind the desk, measuring the distance between them. Her phone was in her right hand, but the screen was dark. Calling for help would require unlocking it, selecting a contact, and waiting.
Julian would reach her before the first ring.
“You’re frightening me,” she said.
His expression softened immediately.
“Good Lord, Elena. I locked the door because this house is enormous and drafty.”
“That makes no sense.”
“I wanted privacy.”
“For what?”
“To apologize.”
Julian crossed the room slowly.
“I’ve been handling everything badly. Your father’s death, the pregnancy, the estate. I know I’ve made you feel pressured.”
Elena watched his hands. They were open and relaxed.
“I shouldn’t have discussed selling so soon,” he continued. “This house belonged to Thomas. You deserve time to grieve.”
“What changed?”
“I realized I was hurting you.”
Julian stopped on the opposite side of the desk.
“Come home with me in the morning. We’ll forget the offers. Keep the house as long as you want.”
It was exactly what Elena wanted to hear.
That was why she did not believe him.
She remembered the keyhole behind the atlas. Julian had entered minutes after the recorder began charging. Unless he had been watching the house, his arrival was too perfectly timed.
“Unlock the door,” she said.
His smile weakened.
“Elena.”
“Please.”
He stared at her for another moment, then turned the lock.
“There. Better?”
“Yes.”
He leaned over the desk and kissed her forehead.
“You should sleep.”
Julian left the study without mentioning the charging cable again.
Elena waited until she heard him go upstairs. Then she called Sarah.
Sarah answered on the fourth ring, her voice thick with sleep.
“Elena? Is the baby coming?”
“No. I found something my father left.”
She kept her voice low and told Sarah about the hidden panel, the photograph, and the first recording.
Sarah did not interrupt.
When Elena finished, the silence was so long she checked whether the call had disconnected.
“Sarah?”
“I hoped Thomas had destroyed those recordings.”
“Why?”
“Because the people connected to Blackridge are dangerous.”
“Who are they?”
“I won’t discuss this by phone.”
“My husband is upstairs.”
“Elena, listen carefully. Do not let Julian know you found the recorder.”
“I think he already suspects.”
“Then leave.”
“He’ll hear me.”
“Go to the bathroom. Lock the door. Call emergency services and say you’re having pregnancy complications.”
Elena looked toward the hallway.
“I need to know what happened.”
“You need to survive long enough to learn.”
A floorboard creaked outside the study.
Elena lowered the phone.
“Who is Julian’s father?” she whispered.
Sarah inhaled sharply.
“Where did you hear that?”
“My father’s note.”
“Leave the house now.”
The study door swung open.
Julian stood there.
Elena ended the call.
“Who were you speaking to?” he asked.
“Sarah.”
“At midnight?”
“I had questions about the estate.”
Julian looked at the phone in her hand.
“She should know better than to upset you.”
“She didn’t.”
“You look pale.”
“I’m tired.”
He took one step closer.
Elena pressed a hand to her belly and gasped.
This time, the pain was real.
A powerful tightening moved across her abdomen. She gripped the desk and breathed through it.
Julian’s suspicion gave way to alarm.
“Is it the baby?”
“I don’t know.”
“Should I call an ambulance?”
“No. It’s passing.”
He reached for her, but she flinched.
The movement did not escape him.
“Elena, I would never hurt you.”
“I didn’t say you would.”
“You didn’t have to.”
He lowered his voice.
“My mother told me grief can make people irrational. I defended you.”
“You discussed my mental state with Evelyn?”
“She’s worried.”
“She wants the house.”
“She wants stability for her grandchild.”
Elena straightened as the contraction faded.
“The house is not for sale.”
Julian’s eyes became cold.
“Even if keeping it destroys our marriage?”
“If our marriage depends on my property, it’s already destroyed.”
For one dangerous second, his hand curled into a fist.
Then he walked away.
The following morning, Julian made breakfast and behaved as if nothing had happened. Elena watched him from the kitchen island while secretly texting Sarah.
Meet me at St. Anne’s Hospital at ten. I’ll say it’s an appointment.
Sarah replied immediately.
Bring the recorder. Tell no one.
Elena slipped the device into her handbag.
As she prepared to leave, Evelyn arrived without warning.
She carried a container of homemade soup and wore a warm smile.
“I thought I’d spend the morning with you,” she said.
“I have a doctor’s appointment.”
“Perfect. I’ll come.”
“That isn’t necessary.”
“Nonsense. Julian has a meeting. You shouldn’t drive.”
Julian entered from the hallway, fastening his watch.
“Mother’s right.”
Elena looked from him to Evelyn.
The decision had already been made between them.
During the drive, Evelyn spoke cheerfully about baby clothes and nursery colors. Elena answered when necessary, keeping her handbag on her lap.
At a red light, Evelyn’s gaze dropped toward it.
“What do you have in there?”
“My things.”
“It looks heavy.”
“It isn’t.”
Evelyn smiled.
When they reached the hospital, Elena walked toward the maternity entrance. Sarah waited near the adjoining parking garage, but Evelyn remained close.
Elena needed a reason to separate.
She stopped abruptly and stared down at her dress.
Warm liquid ran along her leg.
Evelyn’s face changed.
“Your water broke.”
Elena’s heart hammered.
It was too early.
A nurse rushed toward them with a wheelchair. In the confusion, Elena caught Sarah’s eye and subtly lifted the handbag.
Sarah understood.
As the nurse pushed Elena inside, Sarah stepped past Evelyn, removed the recorder from the open bag, and slipped it beneath her suit jacket.
Evelyn saw her.
Their eyes met.
Sarah kept walking.
Evelyn did not shout. She did not chase her.
She simply took out her phone and typed a message.
Seconds later, Elena’s phone vibrated.
A message from Julian appeared.
May you like
Whatever you gave Sarah belongs to my family.
Get it back, or you will regret what happens next.
