Chapter 4 - THE FIRST CRACKLeo's crying echoed across the terrace.
Marcus paced beside the pool with his son against his chest.
Victoria stayed close.
Elena remained on the ground.
Her cheek burned.
Her shoulder throbbed.
But the physical pain was nothing compared with the humiliation.
She had saved Leo.
Marcus had rewarded her with violence.
“Elena.”
Marcus finally looked toward her.
“What exactly happened?”
Victoria's head snapped toward him.
Elena noticed.
“You want to know now?”
Marcus flinched.
“Tell me.”
Elena slowly stood.
Water dripped from her uniform.
“I was carrying towels from the west hallway when I saw the stroller fall into the pool.”
Victoria interrupted.
“Because she pushed it.”
Elena ignored her.
“I ran outside.”
“You were already outside!”
“No.”
“You're lying!”
“Victoria.”
Marcus's voice stopped her.
Something had changed.
Not much.
But enough.
He was finally listening.
Elena pointed toward the water.
“I jumped in.”
Marcus looked at her drenched clothing.
Then at Victoria.
Victoria's emerald dress was completely dry.
Elena saw his eyes linger.
So did Victoria.
“I was standing farther away,” Victoria said quickly.
Elena almost laughed.
“You were standing beside the stroller.”
“No, I wasn't.”
“Then how did you see me push it?”
Victoria froze.
Marcus turned.
Elena continued.
“If you were far enough away to stay completely dry when the stroller hit the water, how were you close enough to see exactly what my hands were doing?”
Victoria's lips parted.
No answer.
The first crack appeared.
Marcus looked toward the pool.
Then Elena.
Then Victoria.
“I…”
Victoria stepped closer.
“Marcus, don't let her confuse you.”
Elena suddenly remembered something.
“When I reached the surface, I asked Victoria to help me.”
Marcus looked at Victoria.
“She didn't.”
“That isn't true.”
“I screamed twice.”
“I was in shock!”
“You weren't in shock.”
Elena's voice became quieter.
“You were waiting.”
Victoria's face hardened.
For the first time, the sweet socialite mask slipped.
“Watch your mouth.”
The words came cold.
Automatic.
Marcus heard them.
Victoria immediately changed again.
“I mean…”
Too late.
Elena saw Marcus's suspicion deepen.
Then something caught her eye.
Inside the hedge.
A faint light.
Red.
Blink.
Dark.
Blink.
Elena stared.
Her heartbeat accelerated.
Victoria followed her gaze.
May you like
And suddenly—
Victoria went pale.
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