Celeste paced the threshold above the stairs, nails digging into her palm, phone pressed against her ear.
“I need more time! He doesn't trust me yet”
“And he never will. The time is now!”
The crisp voice on the other end held a note of finality. No questions. She had to do it now.
But she needed more time.
“Just give me a few more days. I'll get it done, I promise “
“You want to bet your son's life on that? Get it done.”
The line went dead.
Her breath caught. Her hand trembled slightly.
Adrenaline surged through her like wildfire as she tiptoed urgently past Adele's room. The door was closed.
She halted at Julian's door. His bedroom light cast a faint glow through the doorknob. Julian never slept with the lights on.
She had to move fast.
The door to his office was locked. She
