Chapter 6 - The Woman Who Played Everyone
Celeste contacted me.
Not Nathan.
Me.
“I need protection.”
“From whom?”
“Daniel.”
She wanted immunity.
Investigators arranged the meeting.
Celeste arrived without makeup.
The glamorous mistress from the jewelry store looked exhausted.
“I was never supposed to sleep with Nathan.”
I laughed bitterly.
“Comforting.”
“Daniel ordered it.”
That shut me up.
Celeste had originally investigated Daniel for Mom.
Then Daniel discovered something about her.
Her younger brother had participated in financial fraud.
Daniel threatened to expose him.
Celeste switched sides.
For years, she fed Daniel information.
Then disappeared from Mom's world.
When Nathan married me, Daniel activated Celeste again.
Get close to Nathan.
Seduce him if necessary.
Find his weaknesses.
Money was one.
Ego another.
Celeste found both.
“Who forged my signature?”
I asked.
She looked at me.
“I did.”
At least she answered.
“Why?”
“Because Daniel has spent seventeen years convincing me nobody escapes him.”
“And now?”
“Now I think he's going to kill Nathan.”
“Why?”
“Because Nathan knows too much.”
Nathan was under protective restrictions but not full protection.
Police moved quickly.
They found his car abandoned.
Blood on the driver's seat.
Nathan was missing.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
Daniel.
“Little Star.”
My skin went cold.
“Where is Nathan?”
“Your husband made unfortunate choices.”
“So did you.”
He laughed.
“Come alone, Emma.”
“No.”
“I have Nathan.”
“That's his problem.”
Daniel went quiet.
He hadn't expected that.
I continued:
“If you want something, say it.”
“Withdraw the challenge to the share transfer.”
There it was.
Even now.
Money.
Not reunion.
Not love.
Shares.
I looked at Rebecca.
Police were tracing.
“Why would I?”
“Because your husband may die.”
I closed my eyes.
Nathan had hit me.
Cheated.
Defrauded me.
He deserved consequences.
Not execution.
“You won't kill him.”
“You don't know me.”
I opened my eyes.
“No.”
May you like
My voice steadied.
“That's the first true thing you've said.”
