The Crack in the Lie
913 Words
The morning sunlight crept through the sheer curtains, gilding the Morell mansion in pale gold, but inside, the atmosphere was still frozen in grief.
It had been two weeks since the wedding that never truly began.
Two weeks since the gunshot that tore apart everything Anika believed in.
Her world had become a rotation of silence and expectation. The press no longer camped outside, but whispers still followed her, the bride who lost her lover and married his killer.
She had refused every interview request, every public appearance. Even her father’s commands to visit Colby were ignored. She couldn’t bring herself to see his face again.
Although sometimes, late at night, she’d remember his voice, the way it softened when he said her name. The way his eyes looked the night of the rehearsal dinner, full of love and mischief.
And then she’d remember that same face, framed by the flashing red and blue lights of the police cars, holding a gun with Liam’s blood still wet on the ground.
The images clashed violently in her head, until she didn’t know which one to believe anymore.
Alexander had thrown himself back into business, determined to contain the scandal. He barely spoke to her except to update her on meetings with the O’Connells’ lawyers or remind her to “keep her composure.”
Her brothers, Julian and Morgan watched her like hawks, protective and vengeful, speaking of Colby only with venom.
Only Ethan had been distant lately. He had started disappearing for hours, returning with excuses and an unreadable look in his eyes.
One evening, Anika found him in the study, flipping through old photographs.
“Ethan,” she said softly, “you’ve been quiet.”
He looked up, startled. “Just… thinking.”
“About Liam?”
He hesitated. “About Colby.”
The air thickened between them.
Anika folded her arms. “Don’t start.”
Ethan set the photo down, his voice low but steady. “You’re so sure he did it, but what if you’re wrong?”
“I saw him, Ethan. He was holding the gun.”
“And that’s all? You didn’t actually see him pull the trigger, did you?”
She froze, eyes narrowing. “Why are you defending him?”
“Because he doesn’t act like a killer,” Ethan said. “He told me what happened that night.”
Her pulse quickened. “You went to see him?”
He nodded slowly. “And if you’d listened instead of shutting down every time someone mentioned his name, you’d see it too. Something’s off. The evidence doesn’t make sense.”
Anika turned away, her voice trembling. “I don’t want to hear this.”
Ethan’s tone softened. “You loved Liam, I get it. But don’t let grief blind you. Someone wanted Colby blamed. I can feel it.”
Before she could reply, the front door opened, and Richard O’Connell’s smooth, commanding voice drifted into the hall.
Anika stiffened. “What is he doing here?”
Ethan gave a small shrug. “Guess we’re about to find out.”
Later that evening, the Morells and O’Connells gathered in the grand living room, a tense meeting orchestrated by their fathers, supposedly to “discuss the legal situation.”
Anika sat quietly on the far couch, her expression unreadable as Richard O’Connell spoke with that practiced air of confidence.
“Colby’s lawyer is optimistic,” Richard said, smiling faintly. “He’ll likely be released on bail soon, though the trial itself could take months.”
Alexander Morell nodded. “Let’s hope this doesn’t drag on. Neither family needs more attention.”
Richard’s eyes flicked toward Anika, his tone smooth as silk. “Indeed. Especially not our poor bride here. Such a tragedy… losing one groom, and now the other behind bars. Fate can be cruel.”
The words made her skin crawl.
He sounded sympathetic, but there was something hollow beneath the charm.
Something rehearsed.
When the meeting ended, Anika excused herself, saying she needed air. But instead of heading outside, she slipped quietly down the corridor toward the library, that's where Richard went to make a phone call .
As she passed the doorway, she froze.
His voice drifted out, low and sharp.
He was on the phone.
“...yes, everything is under control,” Richard said. “The police bought the prints. I made sure the gun was found exactly where it needed to be. No one suspects a thing.”
Anika’s blood turned to ice.
She pressed herself against the wall, every nerve in her body trembling.
The person on the other end said something she couldn’t hear.
Richard’s voice grew darker. “Colby’s arrest was necessary. If he hadn’t followed them that night, I would’ve had to handle both brothers myself. At least now, Liam’s gone and Colby’s conveniently locked away. The shares will be in my control before the quarter ends.”
Anika’s hand flew to her mouth to stifle a gasp. Her knees weakened beneath her.
The call ended with a faint click. Richard poured himself a drink, humming softly as if he hadn’t just confessed to murder.
Anika stepped back quietly, her pulse hammering in her ears. She slipped into the hallway, clutching the edge of the wall for balance.
Tears welled in her eyes, not just from grief, but from realization.
Her voice broke in a whisper meant for no one but herself.
“That means… Colby is truly innocent.”
- Writer
