CHAPTER 6: The stranger's warning
890 Words
Serena's breath caught in her throat.
"What... did you just say?"
The man released her wrist immediately, as though realizing he'd frightened her.
"I said," he repeated calmly, "your husband is planning to kill you."
For a heartbeat, the bustling hotel lobby disappeared.
The sound of rolling suitcases...
The quiet chatter of guests...
The soft piano music...
Everything faded.
Only those seven words echoed relentlessly inside Serena's head.
No.
That was impossible.
Damien had betrayed her.
She had seen him kissing another woman.
She had heard him whispering about secrets.
But murder?
"No..." she whispered, shaking her head. "You're mistaken."
The stranger studied her quietly.
"I wish I were."
Serena took a cautious step backward.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Ethan Blackwood."
The name sounded familiar.
Before she could place it, a hotel employee hurried toward them.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Ethan."
The employee bowed respectfully.
"Your vehicle is ready."
Ethan nodded without taking his eyes off Serena.
"I'll be there shortly."
The employee walked away.
Serena frowned.
Even the hotel staff seemed nervous around him.
Who exactly was this man?
"You still haven't answered my question," she said.
"How do you know my husband?"
Ethan's expression hardened.
"I don't."
"Then how can you accuse him of something so serious?"
"Because I've been watching him."
A chill crept down Serena's spine.
"Watching him?"
"For weeks."
"Why?"
Instead of answering, Ethan asked, "Do you trust your husband?"
The question hit her like a slap.
Two days ago...
She would have answered without hesitation.
Now...
"I don't know."
Ethan nodded as if he'd expected that answer.
"Good."
Serena frowned.
"Good?"
"It means you're finally asking the right questions."
...
Outside the hotel, a sleek black luxury sedan waited by the entrance.
The driver opened the rear door.
Ethan didn't move.
Instead, he reached into his suit jacket and handed Serena a plain white business card.
She glanced at it.
Ethan Blackwood
Blackwood Global Holdings
Chief Executive Officer
Her eyes widened.
Blackwood Global.
Everyone knew the name.
One of the country's most powerful business empires.
Its owner was notoriously private.
People described Ethan Blackwood as brilliant, ruthless, and impossible to manipulate.
Why would someone like him know anything about Damien?
"I don't understand."
"You don't have to."
His voice remained calm.
"You only need to remember one thing."
"What?"
"When your husband tells you tomorrow that he loves you..."
He paused.
"...don't believe him."
With that, Ethan entered the waiting car.
The sedan disappeared into traffic, leaving Serena standing alone on the sidewalk.
Business card still clutched in her trembling hand.
...
That night...
Serena barely touched her dinner.
Damien noticed immediately.
"Still not feeling well?"
"I'm fine."
"You've hardly eaten."
"I said I'm fine."
The sharpness in her voice surprised even herself.
Lily looked between her parents with worried eyes.
"Mommy..."
Serena immediately softened.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart."
She forced a smile and reached across the table.
"It's been a stressful day."
Damien watched her carefully.
"You seem different."
Different.
If only he knew.
She had spent the entire drive home replaying Ethan's warning.
Your husband is planning to kill you.
No matter how hard she tried...
It sounded absurd.
Damien had lied.
He had cheated.
But could he truly be capable of murder?
She looked at him across the dinner table.
He was helping Lily cut her vegetables into tiny pieces.
He smiled when their daughter laughed.
He looked...
Normal.
Could a killer look so ordinary?
...
After putting Lily to bed, Serena walked onto the balcony for fresh air.
The city lights stretched endlessly below.
She slipped Ethan's business card from her pocket.
Was she really considering calling a complete stranger?
Just then, her phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
Her heartbeat quickened.
She answered cautiously.
"Hello?"
Silence.
Then...
A woman's voice.
Soft.
Cold.
"If I were you..."
The caller laughed quietly.
"...I'd stop asking questions."
The call ended.
Serena stared at the screen.
Private Number.
Her hands began to shake.
Someone was watching her.
Someone knew she'd been at the hotel.
She quickly locked the balcony door and checked every window in the apartment.
Damien looked up from the couch.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"You look frightened."
"I'm just tired."
He stood and walked toward her.
For one terrifying second...
Serena flinched.
Damien noticed.
His smile faltered.
"Did you just... pull away from me?"
"I..."
She couldn't answer.
His eyes searched hers.
Long.
Carefully.
Almost suspiciously.
Then his phone buzzed.
He glanced at the screen.
"I have to take this."
He walked into his home office and shut the door.
Serena hesitated.
Slowly...
Silently...
She crept down the hallway.
The door wasn't completely closed.
A narrow gap remained.
She heard Damien's voice.
"...she met him today."
Serena froze.
Who was he talking about?
"...No, I don't think Ethan told her everything."
Her blood turned to ice
Ethan.
Damien knew Ethan.
He had lied.
"...Just keep an eye on Serena."
A pause.
Then Damien spoke four words that shattered every illusion she still had.
"If necessary...
eliminate her."
The phone slipped from Serena's trembling fingers.
It hit the hardwood floor with a loud crack.
Silence.
Inside the office...
Damien stopped talking.
His footsteps began moving toward the door.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
The doorknob started to turn.
Serena couldn't move.
She couldn't breathe.
The door swung open...
And Damien looked directly into her terrified eyes.
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