Chapter 2 – The Trap
Chapter 2 – The Trap
Nathaniel told no one what he had heard.
Not even his mother.
Instead, he began watching.
He ordered the mansion's security company to retrieve every backup they could find.
Most cameras overlooked entrances.
None pointed directly at the staircase.
Convenient.
Too convenient.
One technician frowned.
"Sir... one hallway camera was disconnected for exactly twelve minutes yesterday morning."
Nathaniel's expression hardened.
"Accident?"
The technician shook his head.
"Someone manually unplugged it."
Meanwhile, Vivien believed everything was under control.
Margaret was in the hospital.
No evidence existed.
Emma was only a child.
Nathaniel had asked difficult questions...
but he had not accused her.
She only needed patience.
Soon they would marry.
Soon every Whitmore asset would become partly hers.
She had spent three years building this future.
She would not lose it now.
Nathaniel invited everyone to dinner three nights later.
Family attorneys.
House staff.
His mother, who insisted on leaving the hospital early.
Vivien appeared radiant in a dark emerald dress.
She kissed Nathaniel on the cheek.
"I'm glad things are finally getting back to normal."
"They are," Nathaniel replied calmly.
Dinner passed quietly.
Dessert arrived.
Nathaniel stood.
"I have something to show everyone."
Vivien smiled confidently.
He pressed a remote.
A large television descended from the ceiling.
Instead of video...
An audio recording filled the room.
Vivien's voice.
"You've lived long enough."
Margaret's voice answered.
"You'll never fool my son."
Then...
A child's frightened whisper.
"I saw you."
Vivien's smile vanished.
Nathaniel looked toward Emma.
The little girl stood beside her mother, trembling.
"You were never alone that morning."
Vivien's face turned white.
"You manipulated a child."
Nathaniel shook his head.
"No."
"You underestimated one."
Vivien suddenly laughed.
It was nothing like the gentle laugh Nathaniel remembered.
It was cold.
Sharp.
"So what?"
"No camera saw me."
"No recording proves I pushed her."
"You have nothing."
Nathaniel smiled for the first time in days.
"Actually..."
He nodded toward the front door.
Two detectives entered.
One carried a transparent evidence bag.
Inside...
A cream-colored leather glove.
The detective spoke.
"It contained your fingerprints."
"And Mrs. Whitmore's skin cells."
"We also recovered fresh damage on the staircase railing consistent with someone forcefully pushing another person."
Vivien stared at the evidence.
Her breathing became uneven.
She looked toward Nathaniel.
"You planned this."
"No."
"You did."
"I simply waited for the truth."
The detectives placed handcuffs around her wrists.
As they led her away, she screamed.
"I loved you!"
May you like
Nathaniel answered quietly.
"You loved my name."
