CHAPTER 2: THE CALL THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
The silence inside the Dallas mansion was heavier than any argument Linda had ever won.
She stood frozen in front of the locked door, her fingers still gripping a shopping bag that suddenly felt meaningless.
Ethan paced behind her.
“This doesn’t make sense,” he muttered. “This is my house. My job. My—”
His voice cracked when the Ring camera above the door lit up again.
Claire’s face appeared on the screen.
Calm. Composed. Unshaken.
Behind her, the same kitchen where Linda had torn the dress now looked untouched—except for one detail.
The dress was gone.
The evidence was already secured.
“You’re not inside because you were never the owner,” Claire said quietly.
Linda scoffed immediately.
“That’s illegal. Ethan bought—”
“No,” Claire interrupted.
A pause.
Not dramatic. Just final.
“I did.”
Ethan stopped pacing.
“What?”
Claire’s gaze didn’t move.
“The house is under my name. The company is under my control. Your job exists because I approved it.”
The words didn’t land immediately.
May you like
They hovered first.
Then crushed everything.
