Chapter 5
965 Words
Scott Rainer didn’t need a badge to know when someone was hiding something.
The ex-cop had spent fifteen years chasing down liars, cheats, and criminals in this city, and now, he is making more money doing it privately for people with enough secrets to fund half of Manhattan.
Sophia Blackwood was one of them.
When Vanessa Brooks had reached out, he hadn’t hesitated. He’d done his research: Ethan Blackwood was a powerhouse. His wife, Sophia, was Manhattan’s beloved golden girl. And Ava Carter… well, the internet practically oozed scandal when you dug deep enough.
Scott sat in his beat-up gray Dodge Charger across the street from Blackwood Enterprises, his camera ready, watching.
It didn’t take long.
Ava Carter emerged from the building around 7:15 PM, sleek in a curve-hugging burgundy dress that was far too provocative for a standard work night. She wasn’t headed for the subway or a cab. No, a sleek black car waited at the curb.
Scott lifted his camera and clicked a few shots.
Bingo.
The driver held the door for her. She slid inside, and the car pulled off. Scott’s gut tightened. “Let’s see where you’re going, sweetheart.”
Ava’s Apartment - 7:45 PM
Ava Carter’s Upper East Side apartment wasn’t what you’d expect from a secretary. It screamed money. Modern, minimalist, designer everything.
Inside, she poured herself a glass of wine and stripped off her dress, tossing it carelessly over a white leather chair. She hummed to herself as she checked her phone.
Nothing from Ethan.
Her lips thinned.
That little scene with Sophia had rattled him more than she’d expected. She wasn’t about to lose control of this now. Not when she was so close.
She tapped out a message.
Ava: Hope your day wasn’t too rough, Mr. Blackwood. You left your cufflink in my office… should I bring it over?
She smirked, hitting send.
Now she’d wait.
Men were so predictable. A little push, a little guilt… and they came crawling.
She sipped her wine and dialed another number.
“Yeah, it’s me,” she said smoothly. “I need those hotel keys for tomorrow." The suite, yes, the same one.”
There was no hesitation on the other end.
Power had its perks.
Scott’s Stakeout - 8:15 PM
From his position outside Ava’s apartment, Scott captured more photos, deliveries, phone calls, a man in a dark suit dropping off what looked like hotel keycards.
He jotted notes.
Hotel. Affair rendezvous. The date is uncertain.
His phone buzzed.
Vanessa.
Vanessa: Anything yet?
He texted back.
Scott: She’s planning something. Got eyes on her. Looks big.
Vanessa’s response came instantly.
Vanessa: Sophia needs to see this. Send her everything.
He grunted, sending over the images.
The night was just getting started.
Blackwood Penthouse - 9:00 PM
Sophia sat curled on the couch, phone in hand, scrolling through Scott’s pictures. Each one twisted the knife a little deeper.
Ava leaving work. The car. The delivery. The damn hotel keys.
“Jesus,” Vanessa muttered on speakerphone. “She’s bold.”
“She’s not just having an affair,” Sophia whispered. “She’s setting a trap.”
Vanessa sighed. “I told you. This isn’t about love. It’s about control. She wants what you have, Soph, your name, your money, your husband. And she doesn’t care how she gets it.”
Sophia closed her eyes. “Not if I get to her first.”
“Attagirl.”
Sophia’s stomach knotted. Her heart ached, but her mind was sharper than ever.
“I want to meet Scott,” she said.
“I’ll set it up.”
Ethan’s Penthouse - 9:30 PM
Ethan stared at Ava’s message on his phone.
Hope your day wasn’t too rough, Mr. Blackwood. You left your cufflink in my office… should I bring it over?
He ran a hand through his hair.
God, what was he doing?
Every instinct screamed to cut ties, to go home to Sophia, to fix what he’d broken.
But Ava… she was intoxicating. A dangerous escape. And despite everything, the pull hadn’t completely faded.
He typed back.
Not tonight.
He hesitated.
Then they added:
We need to talk tomorrow.
He knew she wouldn’t take it well.
But it was time.
Time to end this.
Ava’s Apartment - 9:35 PM
When Ava read the message, her wine glass cracked in her hand.
Not tonight.
We need to talk.
Oh no, darling. You don’t get to walk away.
Not when she was this close. Not after everything.
She cleaned up the broken glass, her mind racing.
Plan B.
The hotel. The surprise. The scandal.
If Ethan wasn’t going to leave Sophia willingly… she’d make sure he had no choice.
Scott’s Surveillance Notes - 10:00 PM
Ava Carter met driver, 7:15 PM
Received hotel keys, 8:00 PM
Multiple phone calls, unknown parties
Possible trap scenario: hotel confrontation?
The subject is highly manipulative. Risk level: escalating.
He sent the file to Sophia.
Sophia’s Bedroom - 10:15 PM
Sophia studied the notes. Her stomach turned.
“Vanessa?”
“Yeah?”
“I want to be there.”
“What? Soph, no…”
“I need to see this through. If she’s planning to trap him… I want to walk in before she does.”
Vanessa was silent for a long moment.
Then, “Okay. Let’s burn this down.”
Sophia’s lips curved into a cold, determined smile.
Ethan’s Dream - Late Night
Ethan dozed fitfully, dreams filled with images of Sophia crying, Ava whispering lies, and himself, alone in a dark room.
His father’s voice echoed, the memory sharp and cutting.
“A man who betrays his family loses everything.”
He woke in a cold sweat.
It was time.
Tomorrow, he’d end it. Whatever the fallout, he’d face it.
He owed Sophia that much.
- Writer
