Chapter 6
The Mercedes swerved violently as James barely avoided colliding with a motorcycle. The rider’s furious shout pierced through the closed windows, but James didn’t even flinch. His knuckles whitened on the steering wheel, the leather creaking under his grip.
“James!” Vicky’s manicured hand flew to her chest, her diamond bracelet clinking against the dashboard. “What’s wrong with you these days? You forgot about our movie plans, and now you’re trying to kill us both?”
He didn’t look at her. “I’m tired. Ask your girlfriends to go with you.”
The words came out flat, automatic. His mind was elsewhere-specifically, on the last text Sophia had sent him nearly a month ago. A simple “Lab running late, don’t wait up.” Nothing since. No calls. No messages.
Vicky huffed, reapplying her lipstick in the vanity mirror. “You’ve been like this since Sophia left for her precious lab. Honestly, she’s probably just sulking because you’ve been spending time with me.”
James’ jaw tightened. That didn’t make sense. Sophia had seemed fine-better than fine, even-when she’d left. Almost… relieved.
The Moretti mansion loomed before them, its gated entrance as imposing as ever. But when James stepped inside, something felt off. The air was too still, the silence too complete.
Then he saw it.
A leather-bound photo album sat on the marble dining table, its edges slightly warped. The housekeeper hovered nearby, wringing her hands.
“I found this in the trash, sir. I thought-given the contents-you might want it.”
James reached for it slowly. The cover was cold beneath his fingers. He flipped it open to the first page – their wedding photo.
His breath caught.
Sophia had been radiant that day, her smile so bright it nearly outshone the diamonds at her throat. And him? He stood beside her like a statue, his expression carefully blank even as his new bride glowed with joy.
