Chapter 1 - HELP ME
Victoria Carter waited until she heard Ryan’s car outside.
Then she began arranging the scene.
She stood in the center of the mansion’s luxurious living room.
Warm evening light entered through the large windows.
The marble floor reflected the designer sofa, the glass coffee table and the framed photographs covering the wall.
Victoria pulled several strands of blonde hair loose.
She opened the top button of her burgundy silk blouse.
Then she caught one sleeve against a rough edge of the wooden interior door.
The silk tore.
She looked at herself in the dark television screen.
Not frightened enough.
Victoria slapped one cheek with her open palm.
A red mark appeared beneath her flawless makeup.
Daniel Carter stood several feet away.
His tired blue eyes were filled with confusion.
“What are you doing?”
Victoria ignored him.
She pushed a decorative pillow from the sofa.
Then she knocked a family photograph from the glass coffee table.
The frame struck the marble.
Its glass cracked.
Daniel took one step toward her.
“Victoria, stop.”
She backed away before he reached her.
The mansion’s front door opened.
Victoria screamed.
“Help me!”
Ryan rushed into the living room.
He wore a navy designer suit and polished black shoes.
His expression changed the moment he saw his wife.
Messy hair.
Torn blouse.
Red cheek.
A broken photograph on the floor.
Then he saw his father.
Daniel raised both hands.
“Ryan, this isn’t what happened.”
Victoria moved behind her husband.
“Your father attacked me.”
Ryan stepped between them.
His anger arrived before any question.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing.”
“You expect me to believe this happened by itself?”
Daniel looked toward Victoria.
She had begun crying.
The tears were controlled.
Convincing.
“I tried to call you,” she whispered. “He took my phone.”
Daniel stared at her.
“That is a lie.”
Ryan moved closer to his father.
“Get out of my house.”
“This is my house too.”
“Not anymore.”
Victoria watched from behind Ryan’s shoulder.
For one second, her tears stopped.
A satisfied expression appeared.
Then a small wooden door near the hallway moved.
Nine-year-old Noah stepped into the living room.
He wore a blue sweater and beige pants.
His face was pale.
Everyone turned toward him.
Victoria’s expression sharpened.
“Noah, go back to your room.”
The boy remained near the door.
His hands trembled.
Ryan looked at him.
“Son, not now.”
Noah took another step.
“Dad…”
Victoria moved toward him.
“He’s frightened. Let me take him upstairs.”
Noah stepped away from her.
Then he pointed directly at his mother.
“She’s lying.”
Ryan froze.
Daniel stared at his grandson.
Victoria’s face turned pale.
May you like
The front door remained open behind them.
And outside, the mansion’s security system quietly recorded the exact time Ryan arrived.
