Chapter 13: Trust Me
491 Words
The room fell silent.
Ethan stared at the photograph in his hand.
His sharp eyes examined every detail.
Isabella's heart pounded.
"I've never seen that man before," she said quickly.
Ethan didn't respond.
His silence made her even more anxious.
"You don't believe me?"
He looked up.
"I believe in facts."
"And the fact is that someone sent you a photograph."
She stepped closer.
"Someone is trying to ruin us."
"Our engagement was announced yesterday."
"Today, this appears."
"Doesn't that seem suspicious?"
For the first time, Ethan hesitated.
She was right.
The timing was too perfect.
A knock sounded at the door.
Daniel Carter entered the room carrying a laptop.
"Ethan."
"I traced the envelope."
"What did you find?" Ethan asked.
"It was mailed from a courier office across town."
"Any security footage?"
Daniel nodded.
"There is."
He placed the laptop on the table and played the video.
A woman wearing a black hoodie handed the envelope to the clerk.
Her face was hidden beneath a cap.
Just before she turned away...
A silver bracelet slipped from her sleeve.
Daniel paused the video.
Ethan's eyes narrowed.
"I know that bracelet."
"So do I."
Daniel sighed.
"It belongs to Victoria."
Isabella let out the breath she'd been holding.
"So... she framed me."
Ethan folded the photograph and dropped it into the fireplace.
The paper curled into flames.
"I'm sorry."
Isabella blinked.
"What?"
"I shouldn't have questioned you."
She smiled faintly.
"That's the closest thing to an apology I've ever heard."
A small smile appeared on Ethan's face.
"You'll have to get used to it."
For a second, they both laughed.
The tension between them eased.
Across the city...
Victoria sat in her penthouse, sipping a glass of wine.
Her assistant rushed in.
"Miss Sterling!"
"Ethan found out about the bracelet."
Victoria's smile disappeared.
"So he knows."
"Should we stop?"
She stood and walked toward the window.
"No."
"If one plan fails..."
"We create another."
She picked up her phone and dialed a number.
A deep voice answered.
"I've been expecting your call."
Victoria smiled.
"I need a favor."
"No matter the cost."
That evening...
Ethan and Isabella drove to the hospital to visit Noah.
Noah was sitting up in bed, looking much healthier.
The moment he saw Isabella, he grinned.
"You finally brought your fiancé!"
Isabella blushed.
"It's... a long story."
Noah looked at Ethan.
"My sister smiles more when she's with you."
Ethan glanced at Isabella.
She quickly looked away, embarrassed.
Mrs. Hart laughed softly.
"I've noticed that too."
Isabella covered her face.
"Mom!"
Everyone laughed.
Even Ethan.
It was brief...
But it was real.
As they left the hospital, Ethan's phone buzzed.
His expression changed after reading the message.
Daniel had sent only one sentence.
"The escaped attacker has been found..."
Ethan opened the full message.
His face turned pale.
The attacker was dead.
And carved into the wall beside the body were four chilling words:
"YOU ARE NEXT, KINGSLey."
- Writer
