Chapter 8 - The Breach
The peace was a fragile illusion, shattered on a rainy Tuesday morning.
Clara was in the massive kitchen, humming softly as she prepared a plate of strawberries for Mia. Julian was in the city attending a high-stakes board meeting, leaving the estate under the watchful eyes of his security team.
Clara’s phone vibrated on the marble counter.
It was an unknown number. She wiped her hands on a towel and tapped the screen. The message contained only three words, but they were enough to make the blood completely drain from her face.
I found you.
Clara dropped the phone. It clattered against the tile floor. A cold, suffocating panic gripped her throat. Marcus. He was here.
She immediately bolted toward the nursery, her maternal instincts overriding her terror. She scooped a sleeping Mia out of her crib, holding the toddler tightly against her chest.
"Code Red!" Clara shouted to the guard stationed in the hallway. "Lock down the house! Now!"
The guard immediately tapped his earpiece, but all he got was static. The security network had been jammed.
Outside, in the pouring rain, Marcus Thorne stood at the edge of the property. Vanessa’s security codes had worked perfectly. The outer gate had glided open, and the signal jammers he purchased in Chicago had blinded the cameras. He held a suppressed pistol in his right hand, a cruel, sadistic smile twisting his face.
He slipped through the rose garden, bypassing the distracted perimeter guards. He knew Clara’s habits. He knew she would run for the child.
May you like
Inside the manor, Clara barricaded the heavy oak door of the nursery, dragging a heavy dresser in front of it. Her hands were shaking violently, but she didn't cry. She wouldn't be a victim today. She looked around the room, grabbing heavy brass fireplace poker.
She positioned herself in front of Mia’s crib, her knuckles white. She had promised Julian she wouldn't flinch anymore. And she was going to keep that promise.
