Chapter 2 - FOOTSTEPS IN THE SHADOWS
THUD. THUD. THUD.
Before Serena’s heel could land, heavy, rhythmic leather boots echoed from the grand arched entryway of the eastern wing.
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. The temperature seemed to plummet ten degrees. The air grew thick, heavy with an oppressive, dangerous authority that made every servant hiding in the corridors freeze in place.
Serena stopped mid-air, her foot hovering above Lily’s hand. The cold arrogance in her eyes flickered, replaced by a sudden spike of nervous panic.
Victor Blackwood was not supposed to be home for another three hours. He was at the docks finalizing a fifty-million-dollar shipping deal.
A tall, broad-shouldered figure emerged from the deep shadows of the archway.
Victor Blackwood wore a charcoal tailored suit that accentuated his towering six-foot-four frame. His silver cufflinks gleamed under the chandelier, but his face was carved out of absolute stone. Dark, ruthless eyes scanned the foyer, settling immediately on the crumpled body of his infant son and the pale nanny bleeding on the floor.
Behind Victor stood his head of security, Mikhail, a scarred giant whose hand instantly dropped to the holster inside his coat.
"Victor darling!" Serena’s voice transformed in a fraction of a second, shifting into a soft, dramatic purr. She dropped her heel, clasped her hands over her heart, and forced tears into her eyes. "Oh thank God you’re home early! It’s terrible—absolutely terrible!"
Victor didn't say a word. He kept walking slowly, his heavy boots making slow, deliberate sounds against the marble.
"I caught her!" Serena cried out, pointing a trembling finger down at Lily. "I caught this careless girl trying to steal Ethan’s heirloom gold medallion! When I confronted her, she dropped Ethan onto the floor and attacked me! Look at what she did to his arm, Victor! She’s a monster!"
Lily lay on the cold floor, unable to speak, her chest heaving as she held out a single, trembling hand toward Ethan.
Victor stopped three feet from Serena. He didn't look at his fiancée. His eyes moved down to his son’s face, taking in the bruised arm, the purple lips, and the faint, broken breaths.
Then, Victor’s gaze drifted to the floor beneath Serena’s red heel.
May you like
A fresh print of white dust and milk sat on the leather of her shoe—the exact same powder from the baby bottle knocked over beside Ethan.
"Victor?" Serena faltered, her sweet smile wavering under his suffocating silence. "Darling... why are you looking at me like that?"
