Richard turned toward the heavy mahogany door. "I'm going to introduce my wife to the real world."
Chapter 3: The Severed Ties
The grand foyer of the Sterling estate was a monument to wealth. Sweeping double staircases wrapped around a massive crystal chandelier that cast shattered rainbows across the imported Italian marble floor. Usually, the space felt warm and inviting, designed for hosting lavish charity galas. Tonight, it felt like a mausoleum.
Evelyn was standing by the front door. She had changed out of her wet gold robe and was now dressed in a sharp, tailored black designer coat. Two massive, expensive leather suitcases sat at her feet. She held a sleek smartphone to her ear, pacing furiously back and forth, her high heels clicking sharply against the stone.
"I don't care what time it is, David, answer the damn phone," Evelyn hissed into the receiver, leaving a voicemail for her attorney. "Richard is having a meltdown. That psychotic nurse poisoned his mind. I need a preemptive filing for custody and a restraining order. Call me back the second—"
"You won't need a lawyer for custody, Evelyn," a voice echoed through the massive hall.
Evelyn jumped, dropping the phone. It clattered against the marble.
Richard was descending the grand staircase. He moved with a slow, deliberate measured pace that was far more terrifying than if he had come down screaming. He had removed his wet shoes and was walking in his stocking feet, the silence of his steps making him look like an apex predator closing in.
Evelyn quickly composed herself, lifting her chin and smoothing the front of her coat. She kicked her phone out of the way and forced a patronizing, exhausted sigh.
"I'm leaving, Richard," Evelyn announced, her voice dripping with practiced victimhood. "I refuse to stay in a house where my own husband treats me like a criminal. I'm going to a hotel. When you decide to act like a rational adult and fire that manipulative liar upstairs, you know where to find me. Until then, my lawyers will be handling our communications."
Richard reached the bottom of the stairs. He didn't walk toward her. He just stood there, his hands resting in the pockets of his wet trousers.
"You're not going to a hotel," Richard said softly. "You're not going anywhere, Evelyn."
"You can't keep me here," Evelyn scoffed, though a tremor of genuine fear began to bleed into her voice. She reached down, grabbing the handles of her heavy suitcases. "I have rights. And I won't be abused in my own home."
"Your home?" Richard pulled his right hand from his pocket. He held up the small, silver USB drive, pinching it between his thumb and forefinger. The chandelier light caught the metal, making it gleam like a blade.
Evelyn froze. The color instantly vanished from her face. Her eyes locked onto the drive, her pupils dilating in pure terror. Her perfectly manicured fingers slowly released the suitcase handles.
"Do you know what this is?" Richard asked, taking one slow step forward. "Because I didn't. Not until ten minutes ago."