THE CONVICTED SON IN LAW

The Fatal Night

Somewhere in the west end of the city, inside a luxurious penthouse overlooking the quiet streets, laughter echoed faintly behind half-closed curtains. A man’s low chuckle blended with a woman’s soft giggle, mingling with the faint clink of glasses.

Michelle Roland leaned lazily against the glass railing of the balcony, a delicate silk robe draped around her body. Her hair, loosened from its usual neat style, fluttered in the wind.

Inside, Venny stood by swirling liquid in a glass. He was the complete opposite of Jayden in every way tall, sharp-featured, confident, the kind of man who never apologized for taking what he wanted. He smirked as he watched Michelle’s reflection on the glass.

"You’re quiet tonight," he said, walking up behind her.

Michelle turned slightly, smiling faintly. "Just thinking she murmured, taking the glass he offered. Sometimes I still can’t believe I ended up here… with you."

He laughed, brushing a hand over her shoulder. “You make it sound like a mistake."

"Maybe it is, she said, half teasing, half sincere. Or maybe it’s the only real thing I’ve done for myself."

Venny studied her for a moment. He loved her arrogance, her beauty, her ability to make sin look graceful. But beneath the glamour, he sensed something else like restlessness, guilt, maybe even fear. He leaned in and kissed her neck. "Forget everything for tonight he whispered."

Michelle smiled again and let him pull her close. For a few seconds, there was nothing but warmth, the soft hum of music from the speaker, the taste of whiskey between their lips.

Then the sound of a key turning at the door shattered everything.

Michelle froze. Venny’s eyes widened.

"Who the hell?"

Before he could finish, the door swung open with a sharp click. A woman stepped in, tall, striking, her face twisted in shock. Daniella.

"Venny? Her voice cracked between disbelief and rage. Are you serious right now?"

Venny’s grip on Michelle loosened instantly. "Daniella, what are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here? she snapped, stepping forward. Her heels clicked angrily against the marble floor. I came to talk. I thought....... I didn’t think you would have her here."

Michelle straightened, crossing her arms defiantly. "And who are you?" she asked coolly.

Daniella turned to her, her eyes flashing. "Don’t act innocent, Mrs. Roland. Everyone in Kreg knows you’re married to that poor fool who would do anything to lick your family’s boots."

Michelle’s jaw tightened. "Watch your mouth.!" she warned.

"Oh, please, Daniella sneered. You think money hides the stench of betrayal? You’re a married woman sleeping with another man, and not just any man but my ex. You’re pathetic."

Venny stepped in quickly. "Daniella, stop. This isn’t the time"

"No, let her talk, Michelle said, voice icy. I want to hear how she justifies barging into a house that isn’t hers."

Daniella laughed bitterly. "A house that isn’t mine? Everything in here was bought when we were still together."

Venny rubbed his forehead, trying to calm them both. "Enough, Daniella. This isn’t helping anyone."

But neither woman listened.

"Does your husband know? Daniella taunted, eyes blazing. Does that poor excuse of a man know you sneak around like a cheap mistress? Or did your daddy buy his silence too?"

Something inside Michelle snapped.

She stepped forward, her eyes burning with humiliation and fury. "Don’t you dare talk about my husband. He’s nothing to me. Do you hear me? Nothing!"

Daniella smirked. "Then that makes you even worse than I thought."

Venny tried to grab Daniella’s arm. "Daniella, please..."

"Let me go! she shouted, jerking free. You told me you were done with her that she was just a fling. But look at you,caught between two women, lying to both!"

Venny’s face flushed with frustration. 'I didn’t plan for this!"

Michelle’s voice rose, sharp and trembling. "You’re not blaming this on me, are you? She’s the one who came uninvited!"

"Uninvited? Daniella spat. This used to be my home!"

The air thickened with heat and anger. Words flew like knives each one cutting deeper than the last.

Venny tried again to calm them, but the argument had spiraled beyond control. Michelle moved closer, her hands shaking with rage. Daniella refused to back down, standing her ground defiantly.

"You think being rich makes you untouchable?" Daniella hissed. You’re just another spoiled brat hiding behind her father’s name. If you weren’t a Roland, no one would even look twice at you."

Michelle’s vision blurred with fury. "Shut up!" she screamed, stepping closer.

"Or what?" Daniella shot back. You will run crying to Daddy? Or maybe get your lover to fight for you?"

Michelle shoved her hard.

The sound came first just like a heavy thud. Daniella’s body hit the wall, then the marble floor. Her head made a sickening crack as it struck the corner of a table on the way down.

Everything went silent.

Michelle froze, her chest heaving. Venny’s mouth fell open.

"Daniella?" Michelle whispered.

The woman lay still, eyes half open, lips slightly parted.

"Get up, Michelle said again, her voice trembling. I didn’t push you that hard. Stop pretending."

Venny crouched beside her, shaking her shoulder. "Daniella, hey!! come on. Stop this."

No response.

A faint line of blood trickled from the back of her head, seeping slowly into the white marble.

Venny’s breath caught. "Oh, my God." He pressed his fingers to her neck. Nothing. No pulse.

He looked up at Michelle, pale and shaking. "She’s not breathing."

Michelle staggered backward, clutching the wall. "No, no, that’s impossible. I didn’t mean.... I didn’t" she stuttered in fear.

Venny’s mind raced. "We have to do something! maybe she’s just unconscious!"

He tried again, pressing on her chest, but the stillness in Daniella’s body was unmistakable.

Michelle’s voice broke into sobs. "Oh God… I killed her… I killed her!"

Venny stood, pacing in panic. "We can’t let anyone find out. If this gets out, I’m finished! You’re finished!"

"I didn’t mean to! she cried. It was an accident!"

Venny grabbed her by the shoulders. "Michelle, listen to me! We have to think. We can’t call the police, they will never believe it was an accident!"

Michelle’s hands trembled uncontrollably. She looked at the lifeless body again, her breathing shallow. "No… no, I can’t… I can’t go to jail…"

Venny’s eyes darted around the room. "We have to call someone. Someone who can fix this."

Michelle’s eyes widened with realization. Her father.

She stumbled toward her purse, fumbling for her phone with shaking hands. Her fingers slipped twice before she finally managed to press the contact labeled Dad.

The line rang once. Twice. Then a cold, composed voice answered.

"Michelle? It’s late. What is it?"

Her voice cracked. "Dad… I....I did something terrible."

"Where are you?" He asked.

"At Venny’s place."

"What happened?"

Tears streamed down her face. "We fought, I didn’t mean to, I swear! She just... she fell Dad, she’s not breathing!"

For a moment, there was silence on the other end. Then Roland Senior’s voice came, low and steady.

"Listen to me carefully, he said. Do not touch anything. Do not leave the apartment. I will send someone. Do you understand?"

Michelle nodded, sobbing. "Dad, I didn’t mean to"

“I said don’t touch anything. Stay quiet.”

The line went dead.

Michelle lowered the phone slowly, her entire body trembling.

Venny sank into a chair, his face pale. "What did he say?"

"He’s sending someone."

Venny buried his face in his hands. "We’re finished, Michelle. If anyone finds out......"

"Stop!" she snapped through tears. "He will fix it. He always does."

She looked down again at Daniella’s still body. The room seemed colder now, the air heavy with dread.

And in that breathless silence, Michelle whispered to no one, her voice barely audible though....

"Daddy… please hurry.....