Chapter 1 - The Breach
The wail of the sirens grew deafening, echoing off the high stone walls of the Belmont Estate.
Red and blue lights slashed through the tall windows, painting the terrified faces of the wedding guests in harsh, strobing colors.
Caroline did not flinch at the sound of the approaching police.
Instead, she stood perfectly still, her emerald gown catching the flashing lights, her posture radiating an eerie, calculated calm.
Elena tightened her grip around Leo, shielding his small, trembling body with the voluminous layers of her silk wedding dress.
The boy buried his face into her shoulder, his tears finally breaking through his silent terror, soaking into the delicate lace of her gown.
The heavy double doors of the grand hall burst open, and half a dozen armed police officers flooded into the room.
"Who is in charge here?" the lead officer barked, his hand resting cautiously on his duty belt as he took in the crowd and the blood.
Julian stepped forward immediately, his voice cutting through the rising panic of the guests.
"I am Julian Vance, the groom, and my brother Arthur is injured in the second-floor study," Julian stated, pointing toward the grand staircase.
"This woman," Julian continued, gesturing coldly toward Caroline, "is his wife, and her son just accused her of the attack."
Caroline let out a soft, perfectly timed gasp, pressing a manicured hand to her chest as if the accusation had physically struck her.
"Officers, please, my husband is bleeding upstairs, you must help him!" she cried, her voice trembling with manufactured distress.
"My son is deeply disturbed, he suffers from severe hallucinations, and he is clearly in a state of shock right now."
The lead officer quickly signaled to his team, sending four men sprinting up the marble staircase with their weapons drawn.
He turned his attention back to Caroline, pulling a small notepad from his breast pocket.
"Ma'am, I need you to step away from the crowd and keep your hands where I can see them," he ordered sternly.
Caroline’s eyes flashed with a brief, terrifying fury, but she quickly masked it with a look of helpless compliance.
Julian crouched down beside Elena, placing a gentle, protective hand on her back.
"I have to go upstairs and see what she did to him," Julian whispered, his jaw locked in barely contained rage.
"Keep Leo safe, Elena, do not let her anywhere near him."
May you like
Elena nodded fiercely, her eyes locking onto Julian's with a silent promise.
"I won't let her touch him," she vowed.
