Chapter 6 - The Trap
"Richard..." Eleanor backed up against the desk, hiding the polaroid behind her back. "What is this?"
"I loved you, Eleanor," Richard said, stepping into the room and locking the door behind him. "But you were so focused on that boy. You wouldn't let me invest your money to save my legacy. I had to make a choice."
"You sold my son!" she screamed, abandoning all caution. "You paid someone to take him!"
"I paid them to keep him far away. But apparently, street rats are hard to keep caged," Richard sneered. He walked toward her, his eyes darkening. "It’s a shame. We had a good life, you and I. Lily is a wonderful daughter. We could have just moved on."
"Don't you ever mention Lily's name!" Eleanor grabbed a heavy bronze statue from the desk, holding it up like a weapon.
"Put it down, El. You’re not a killer," Richard mocked, taking another step forward. "But I am a pragmatist. A tragic accident in the home—a frantic mother, a traumatized boy… fires happen all the time in these old houses."
He flicked the lighter. The flame illuminated his cruel smile.
Suddenly, the heavy double doors of the study flew open, smashing into Richard’s back.
Little Lily stood in the hallway, holding a heavy marble doorstop. She had thrown it with all the strength her tiny arms could muster. "Leave my mommy alone!" she yelled.
Behind her stood Julian, shaking but holding the house landline phone. "I dialed 9-1-1," Julian said, his voice surprisingly steady. "Just like Mommy taught me."
Richard roared in anger and lunged toward the children.
May you like
Adrenaline exploded in Eleanor’s veins. She didn't hesitate. She swung the heavy bronze statue with everything she had, striking Richard squarely in the side of his head.
He collapsed to the plush carpet with a heavy thud, the silver lighter skittering away across the floor.
