Her Heart, His Scheme

CHAPTER 5

Roselyn's voice trembles With Suspicion as she fixes her gaze on Ethan. She wanted to know if he would answer all the questions on her mind. The tension between them was thick, she had a mixture of fear and uncertainty while waiting for his response.

Ethan sighed while gripping the steering wheels tightly, “No, I didn't send those messages”, he replied with a steady voice.

“But I knew where you were because I've been tracking you.”

“Tracking me? She asked with a pounding heart .

And You expect me to believe that, she questioned.

Ethan's jaw tightened as he explained.

“Your father hired me weeks ago,Roselyn. He was worried about you, he knew there was an interior motive to why Raymond rushed the wedding. He asked me to watch him and make sure you are safe.

She lets out a hollow laugh while shaking her head.

“Safe?” Where were you when I was being lied to, betrayed and manipulated?, she raised her finger in frustration.

“Where the hell are you when I walk in on my husband sleeping with my best friend?”

Ethan exhaled sharply, he was getting tired of her drama, his hands whitening against the steering wheel. He responded: “I couldn't interfere earlier. Because if Raymond knew you had someone looking out for you, he would've changed his plans.

Your father needed proof before he could do anything.

Roselyn scoffed. “Proof? What proof do you need?

Is it not enough proof that my life is a lie? That I married a monster? She turned to him with burning hazel eyes.

“I already figured that out myself.”

Ethan stared at her with an unreadable expression.

“Not everything,” he responded.

“There's more you don't know”.

her breath hitched. “What do you mean?” She asked

Ethan pulled out a small flash drive from his pocket and

showed it to her.

All your answers are here in this drive but get in the car,

I will tell you everything you need to know while driving. We need to find a safe place to hide first.

Roselyn hesitated for a moment before slipping inside, her heart kept pounding as she shut the door behind her.

Ethan sighed, finally he said under his breath. He started the car and drove out of the alley to a secret hideout while talking to Roselyn.

Your father suspected that Raymond, your husband, was siphoning money from your family’s account. He was not just stealing money, but he was after everything your father built, your inheritance, estate etc.

Roselyn’s stomach twisted. “No…that's not possible , she defended.

“My father would never let him.” she said

“He's been careful,” he interrupted.

“He is moving small amounts at a time,laundering it through shell companies etc. By the time your father noticed it, millions were already missing.

That's the major reason he hired me, to gather enough evidence to take Raymond down.”

Roselyn’s mind reeled. She thought she has reached her peak for the night but her husband's betrayal kept unfolding.

This entirely was a new level of revelation.

“You mean to tell me that he didn't just marry me for money but he is planning on ruining my life and that of my dad?”

“ Yes, Ethan confirmed. “ And now that you know the truth, you're in more danger than before.”

Roselyn swallowed hard,her hands trembling in her laps.

All she could think about was the cryptic text messages, the missing flash drive, the Footsteps outside her room… it all clicked together like a terrifying puzzle.

“Who else knows about this?” She asked Ethan.

Ethan's eyes darkened. Besides me and your father? Just one other person but she is dead.”

A shiver ran down Roselyn's spine. “Who?” she asked

Ethan hesitated . “ Lillian.”

Her breath caught. “No…no, that's not true.

She—”

“She was found dead in her apartment, an hour ago,”Ethan said grimly. She was shot in the head.

Roselyn's body went numb, she felt like she was going insane, unable to process the words she just heard.

Even though Lillian was a traitor, but She was also her best friend.

They had good memories together,they grew up together, shared secrets together and dreams also..and now just like magic. She was gone.

“I…I don't understand, she whispered with tears in her eyes.

Ethan's expression softened, but there was urgency in his voice. “Lillian is not innocent, but she doesn't deserve to end up like that.

I think she was trying to fix things with you, that's why she sent you that text, she was going to warn you about Raymond. But she didn't get the chance.”

Roselyn closed her eyes, nausea churning in her stomach,

I was supposed to meet her…

Just to ask her why she hurt me, maybe get to hear her own part of the story.

Ethan reached for her hands just to comfort her.

“Listen to me, Lillian is dead because she became a liability. And now you're next on his list.”

Roselyn opened her eyes quickly, she stared at Ethan in great shock.

“You think Raymond Would..kill me?”

Ethan answered with a darkened expression, “I know he would because he has already done it before.”

Fear creeped in Roselyn’s mind, everything she thought she knew had shattered leaving her in a dangerous freefall.

Her husband was not just a liar or a cheat,but he was also a murder.

She inhaled shakily. “ What do we do now?” she asked Ethan

Ethan didn't hesitate, “we fight back.”

With trembling hands Roselyn straightened herself on the seat. For long she has been the pawn in Raymond’s game, she wanted it to end. But as she opened her mouth to speak, her phone buzzed again.

She looked down at the unknown number, what she saw was

“Run,”

Her blood turned to ice before she could react.

She barely had time to process the message when they heard a gunshot

She screamed for Ethan to drive fast.

Ethan swerved violently, gripping the wheel with a deadly focus, he barked at Roselyn to take cover.

She fell down on the floor of the car, just to hide from the bullet that was being shot at their car

“Who the hell is shooting at us?” she asked Ethan, with her heart hammering in her chest

“just take a wild guess,” Ethan growled,trying to turn the steering wheel to the right.

“Raymond i guess, he must've found out you're onto him.

“They are following us!”, with a trembling voice Roselyn cries out.

“oh s**t,” Ethan muttered, slamming the gas pedal.

Another round of bullets ripped through the car trunk, causing it to shake. Roselyn's breath came in ragging gasps. This was intimidation, they were trying to kill her.

Ethan brought out a black pistol from his compartment, he tossed it onto her lap. “Can you shoot?”

She hesitated , her hands were trembling.

“I—I don’t know.”

“Well you are about to learn fast,” he said

He tries to maneuver the car at breakneck speed but the gunfire intensifies.

One bullet struck a rear tire and the car jolted violently.

Ethan cursed under his breath while wrestling with the steering wheel.

Roselyn, listen to me ,he said sharply,

Take the gun ,roll down your windows carefully and aim for their tires.”

Her pulse thundered,as she gripped the weapon, but there was no time to be scared, she rolled down her window. With the cold air rushing her face, she took a deep breath, she aimed and fired.

But the gun recoiled, nearly throwing her off balance. She missed the shot.

Again!” Ethan barked

She gritted her teeth and fire once more, the bullet struck on the SUV’s front tire.

The SUV swerved violently and its driver lost control. It crashed into a parked car at the side of the road.

With joy Roselyn shook her hand as the gun dropped on her lap. “Oh my God ….. I did it.”

Ethan barely had time to exhale before he heard

CRACK!

Bullet tore their engine, sending up a burst of smoke. The car perked violently and came to a halt.

Then—silence.

They heard heavy Footsteps pounding towards them.

“ Ethan.. she whispered, gripping his arms.

He reached for his gun but before he could get it,The driver's side door was yanked open.

A rough hand grabbed Ethan, dragging him out of the car.

Roselyn could barely scream, when her own door ripped open

And a familiar voice sneered

“Did you really think you could run from me, darling?”