Chapter 5 - NINE YEARS OF LIES
Elena was found alive.
Not because Dominic paid.
Because she escaped.
She arrived at a police station at 2:15 the following morning with a fractured wrist and a memory card hidden inside her shoe.
The kidnappers had underestimated her.
The card contained footage.
Not of Elena.
Of Isabella.
Mara watched the recording twice.
Isabella was sitting inside a private club.
Across from her was a man Mara recognized.
Richard Vale.
Dominic's closest business partner.
They were discussing the missing twelve million.
And Mara.
“She's the perfect fall person,” Isabella said.
Richard nodded.
“Dominic will protect her.”
“Exactly.”
“And when the investigation comes?”
“They'll find the account.”
Mara felt sick.
They had planned everything.
The affair.
The financial transfers.
The accusations.
Even her departure.
She looked at Dominic.
“They wanted me to leave.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because if I'm divorced, you're easier to isolate.”
Mara shook her head.
“I still don't understand.”
Dominic sat beside her.
“Isabella believes the company should belong to her.”
“So?”
“She believes I stole it from her.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
“What happened?”
“My father left the company to me.”
“And she hates you for it.”
“Yes.”
Mara looked at the footage again.
“But why involve me?”
Dominic's voice became quiet.
“Because she knew I would protect you.”
Mara looked at him.
“And she knew you'd become predictable.”
He nodded.
That hurt.
For nine years, Mara had believed Dominic's strength protected her.
Now she realized someone had learned how to use that strength against him.
Then Richard Vale disappeared.
His office was empty.
His house was empty.
His phone was found in a trash can.
Dominic immediately understood.
“Someone is cleaning up.”
“Who?”
“Isabella.”
Mara looked at him.
“You're going to confront her.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
He stared.
“What?”
“You're not going alone.”
“Mara—”
“I've spent nine years being told nothing.”
She stood.
“That ends now.”
Dominic looked at her.
“You don't belong in this world.”
Mara smiled sadly.
“I was married to you for nine years.”
She picked up the memory card.
“Apparently I already belong in it.”
They found Isabella at the Calder family estate.
She was sitting beside the fireplace.
Calm.
Elegant.
Almost amused.
“Mara,” she said.
“Isabella.”
“You look tired.”
“You look comfortable.”
Isabella smiled.
“I'm always comfortable.”
Dominic stepped forward.
“Where is Richard?”
“I don't know.”
“You're lying.”
“You've always hated when people lie to you.”
Mara watched them.
Two siblings.
Same eyes.
Same coldness.
Different kinds of damage.
Isabella looked at Mara.
“I always liked you.”
“Did you?”
“Yes.”
“Then why destroy me?”
“I didn't.”
“You put money in an account with my name.”
“I didn't.”
“The footage says otherwise.”
Isabella smiled.
“Footage can be edited.”
Mara stepped forward.
“You're right.”
Isabella looked surprised.
“So I brought something else.”
Mara placed a document on the table.
A forensic accounting report.
Signed by an independent auditor.
Every transfer.
Every shell company.
Every connection.
Isabella's smile disappeared.
Dominic stared at Mara.
“When did you get that?”
“Yesterday.”
“You hired an auditor?”
“Yes.”
“Without telling me?”
Mara looked at him.
“I'm learning.”
For the first time, Isabella looked uncertain.
Then she laughed.
“You think this is over?”
“No.”
She stood.
“You're going to regret choosing him.”
Mara looked at Dominic.
“I haven't chosen him.”
Isabella's expression changed.
Mara continued:
“I chose myself.”
They left.
Outside, Dominic stopped.
“Mara.”
“What?”
“I am proud of you.”
She looked at him.
“You don't get to say things like that yet.”
He nodded.
“Fair.”
They walked toward the car.
Neither noticed the figure watching from an upstairs window.
A man with Richard Vale's phone.
May you like
And a message already typed.
THEY HAVE THE REPORT. MOVE TO PHASE TWO.
