Chapter 4 - THE SHIFT
Julian’s breath caught in his throat.
His eyes slowly tracked downward, following Clara’s gaze to the white lighter lying mere inches from her bare toes.
The tiny plastic casing was still warm.
A faint smell of butane lingered in the air between them.
Beside the lighter, half-hidden beneath the rim of the marble vanity, rested a small velvet box.
It was open.
Inside, a diamond ring glinted under the bright bathroom lights—the heirloom that had gone missing three days ago.
The very ring Victoria had accused Maria of stealing.
Julian’s hand, resting on Clara’s shoulder, turned rigid as iron.
The gentle warmth in his eyes vanished entirely, replaced by a cold, dark stillness.
May you like
Victoria’s frantic sobbing abruptly cut off.
The bathroom fell completely silent, save for the rhythmic dripping of the sink faucet.
