Chapter 5 - Playing the Fool
I walked through the front doors of my mansion, forcing my posture to slouch and my steps to drag.
If Victoria wanted a dying man, I would give her an Oscar-worthy performance.
She was sitting in the parlor, sipping a glass of rare vintage wine, looking radiant.
"Arthur, darling!" she gasped, rushing over to me with perfectly feigned alarm.
"You look absolutely dreadful."
"Are you feeling alright?"
I leaned heavily against the mahogany banister, letting out a weak, raspy cough.
"Just a terrible migraine, Victoria," I mumbled, pressing a hand to my temple.
"I think I need to lie down."
"My vision is getting blurry again."
A flash of genuine excitement danced in her eyes before she masked it with deep concern.
"Oh, my poor husband," she cooed, wrapping her arm around my waist to support me.
"Let me help you up to bed."
"I will have the chef prepare you some hot soup."
"And I will make your espresso myself."
The sheer audacity of her words made my skin crawl, but I managed a weak, grateful smile.
Once I was tucked into bed, Victoria left to prepare her poisonous brew.
I immediately sat up, grabbed the potted fern resting on the nightstand, and dumped half the soil into the trash bin.
When she returned ten minutes later, carrying a silver tray with a steaming ceramic cup, I played my part perfectly.
I took the cup with trembling hands.
"Thank you, my love," I whispered, looking her dead in the eyes.
"I don't know what I would do without you."
"Drink up, Arthur," she urged softly, watching me like a predator watching a wounded deer.
"It will make the pain go away."
I brought the cup to my lips, faking a sip, and then intentionally let my hand spasm.
The espresso spilled entirely over the thick duvet cover.
"Oh, no!" I gasped, feigning embarrassment.
"I am so clumsy, Victoria."
"My hands just aren't working right."
She stared at the dark stain, her jaw tightening in momentary frustration before she smoothed her features.
"It's alright, darling," she said through gritted teeth.
"I will just have the maids change the sheets tomorrow."
"Get some rest."
As soon as she closed the heavy oak door behind her, I threw off the ruined covers.
I was not going to die in this bed.
I pulled out my burner phone and sent a heavily encrypted message to Silas.
The timeline has moved up. We execute the final phase tomorrow night.
I crept down the hall to the boys' bedroom.
Leo and Julian were wide awake, sitting together on the bottom bunk in the dark.
I knelt beside them, pulling them both into a fierce, protective embrace.
"Everything is going to change tomorrow, my brave boys," I whispered against their cheeks.
May you like
"Do exactly as I say."
"The monsters are going away forever."
