Right after our daughter’s funeral, my husband insisted on quickly throwing out all her things from the kids’ room, but while cleaning, I found her note…
Michael shrugged. «For a new life. I’m tired, Emily. Tired of this marriage, this house, the role of the exemplary family man. I needed money to start over. Olivia’s insurance was just the first step.»
He paused, looking at her closely. «You were supposed to be next. In six months, when the noise around her death quiets, an accident, tragic coincidence, grief-stricken husband gets the insurance and starts a new life.»
Emily felt nausea rising in her throat. «You’re a monster.»
«I’m a pragmatist,» Michael objected. «And I was patient, waiting years for the right moment. But Olivia ruined everything with her curiosity. And now you’re going the same way.»
He suddenly smiled, almost affectionately. «But it’s not too late to fix everything. Tell me, who did you meet today? Who did you show the documents to?»
Emily was silent. Naming Alex would sign his death warrant. Michael wouldn’t leave witnesses.
«Silent?» he sighed. «Well, we’ll find out another way.»
He took out his phone, opened some app. «Interesting, where did you go after the office? Cabs and GPS trackers, you can’t escape them now.»
Emily went cold. She hadn’t thought of that. The cab took her straight to the cafe where she met Alex.
«Riverside!» Michael drawled, looking at the screen. «Nice place. Who was your companion?»
He quickly scrolled something on the phone. «Ha! Here’s the surveillance camera. Let’s see.»
Emily lunged forward, trying to snatch the phone, but Michael easily intercepted her hand. «Don’t be stupid, it won’t change anything.»
From downstairs came the voice of the lead mover. «Mr. Davis, we’re done with the furniture. What about the boxes in the living room?»
Michael didn’t release Emily’s hand, shouted back. «Be down in a minute. Load what you’ve carried out for now.»
He turned to his wife. «We’ll have to continue this conversation later. For now…»
Michael yanked Emily toward him, spun her, and twisted her arm behind her back. Before she could scream, he clamped her mouth with his free hand. «Quiet, not a sound.»
He pushed her to the closet, opened the door, and pulled out a roll of duct tape. «Sorry for the roughness, but you leave me no choice.»
Emily tried to break free, but Michael’s grip was iron. He quickly and skillfully wrapped duct tape around her wrists, then sat her on the bed and stuck a wide strip over her mouth.
«Sit quietly while I deal with the movers,» he said, checking the strength of the improvised restraints. «Then we’ll talk about your new friend.»
He left, locking the door from outside.
Emily was left alone, mouth taped, hands bound. Panic washed over her in a wave.
What now? How to call for help? How to warn Alex?
The microphone. She still had it on her blouse. Alex must have heard the whole conversation, must have understood she was in danger.
But how long would it take him to get here? And what would Michael do to her before that?
Emily feverishly looked around. Needed to free herself. Needed a way to remove the duct tape from her hands.
She noticed a glass vase with flowers on the nightstand. If she broke it, she could use a shard to cut the tape.
Carefully, trying not to make noise, Emily stood from the bed and approached the nightstand. Turning her back, she felt the vase with her bound hands and slowly pushed it to the edge.
The vase fell onto the carpet with a dull thud but didn’t break. Emily moaned quietly in despair.
What now? Downstairs, voices of movers and Michael’s commanding tone. They were finishing up. He’d be back soon.
Her gaze fell on the mirror of the dressing table. Break it? But how? Hands bound, mouth taped, can’t scream.
And then she noticed her phone on the dresser. Michael forgot to take it in the rush.
If only she could send a message to Alex. Emily awkwardly approached the dresser, turned her back, felt the phone with her bound hands.
But a new problem arose. How to unlock the screen? The fingerprint scanner was on the back, and she had to contort to reach it with her thumb. After several attempts, the screen lit up…
