Chapter 6: The Cost of Keeping Secrets
883 Words
The manager glanced up. "Left ten minutes ago."
Outside, the air felt wrong. Too still.
Then he saw it: her phone, face down near the curb. The screen cracked. He checked her Last call—his number. Missed. The Battery was about to die.
"Selene." He whispered, panic clawed up his chest.
No answer.
Then a black SUV slipped into traffic, vanishing toward the bridge.
He stood frozen, phone heavy in his palm.
She wouldn't leave it.
Someone took her.
He drove to Vaucluse. Grandmother's house glowed warm above the water—like nothing was broken. He burst in without knocking.
"I can't find Selene. She's gone."
Victoria looked up slowly and said nothing.
"You knew," he said, voice cracking. "Didn't you?"
She set her teacup down carefully.
"Answer me."
"Do not raise your voice at me." Her eyes hardened. "She's fine."
"She's missing."
"She chose this life." She said calmly. Too calm. "Choices have consequences."
Austin stared. "What does that mean?"
"You're exhausted. Imagining things."
Something cold sank in his gut.
She wasn't surprised.
Across the other side of the city, Selene woke to a pounding skull, ropes biting wrists. Warehouse reeked of oil and saltwater. Distant foghorn—docks, maybe Port Botany.
Diana crouched in front of her, heels spotless, expression almost gentle.
"Do you know how your parents died?"
Selene stared at her feet. "It was an accident."
Diana smiled. "That's what they told you."
Selene shook her head. "Yes."
"Really?" Diana tilted her head. "Two men. Best friends. Built a company. Big dreams. Bigger money."
Selene's breath hitched. She looked up.
"Your father wanted clean growth. Austin's father wanted power—offshore accounts, he shipped arms through shells, greased contracts."
"Stop."
"Your father threatened to expose it. He planned to walk away, start fresh with his family."
Selene's voice cracked. "You're lying."
"They staged the crash. Adjusted weather reports. Forge brake failure documents. Truck planted. And that was it, Case closed."
Selene laughed weakly—shaky denial.
Diana leaned closer. "Ask why the Blakes never speak of that year."
Selene's heart thundered.
She showed no proof.
But doubt took root.
Across the city, Austin sat in his car overlooking the Harbour Bridge, Selene's ring glinting on the passenger seat.
For the first time, he wondered:
What else had his family buried?
And why was Diana so obsessed with destroying the one woman who'd ever made him want to be better?
...............
Selene woke to pain that wasn't sharp—it was deliberate, a slow burn designed to linger.
Ropes bit into her wrists, tightened just enough to remind her they existed. Her throat scraped raw, dry as sandpaper. The concrete floor leeched heat from her body like it had its own chill.
She didn't scream when her eyes opened. She scanned the dim room instead.
Fear didn't help when someone was watching.
The air hung stale. Time blurred—no windows, no clock.
Three days.
No water. Hunger had shifted from ache to hollow comfort, weakening her limbs, sharpening her mind in strange ways.
The door creaked.
Footsteps.
Selene lifted her head with effort.
Diana entered—flawless, dark hair sleek, makeup perfect, heels clicking like this was a theater and Selene the unwilling audience. Two men trailed her: broad, silent, faces blank. Enforcers, not guards.
"Still breathing," Diana said, almost disappointed. "Stronger than you look."
Selene swallowed fire. "If you're going to kill me… do it."
Diana laughed—short, delighted. "Kill you? That would be merciful."
She stepped closer, eyes glittering. "You know something."
Selene frowned. "I don't."
"Your father did."
Selene's chest constricted. She glared through the haze of pain.
"Documents," Diana continued. "Evidence. Financial trails. He was careful." She smiled. "Where did he hide them?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Diana's smile vanished.
She snapped her fingers.
Pain exploded in Selene's stomach as one of the hoodlums punched her.
She cried out—body jerking, air punched from her lungs. Vision spotted.
"Again."
Another hit. Selene whimpered, curling inward. Tears came—not weakness, shock.
"I don't know!" she gasped. "Please—"
Diana crouched, eyes blazing. "You don't get to beg yet."
She nodded. The men stepped back.
Selene sagged, chest heaving, stomach throbbing. Blood trickled from her nose, warm and coppery.
"Your father threatened powerful people," Diana said softly. "Men who don't forgive. He wasn't stupid enough to leave proof obvious."
"He never told me anything. I swear."
Diana sighed, annoyed. "Then we'll try something else."
A man returned with a bucket.
Selene's gaze flicked—hope for a second.
Freezing water was dumped over her head.
Cold shocked her system. Clothes soaked, hair plastered, shivering violently. Thirst burned worse.
Diana smiled. "See? Not heartless."
"You're cruel," Selene whispered, lips trembling.
"Cruel is letting empires fall for sentiment."
Diana turned to the door. "Think harder."
Lights out.
The lock clicked.
Selene sobbed quietly in the dark—shaking from cold, pain, fear.
If Diana was right…
Her parents hadn't died.
They'd been erased.
Hours—later, the door opened again.
Diana's voice drifted in. "He's coming."
Selene lifted her head weakly. "Austin?"
"Yes." Satisfaction dripped from the word. "And he still believes in family."
Selene's heart twisted.
Diana stepped closer. "By the time he leaves here, that belief will be broken."
- Writer
