Chapter 2 - The Crime Scene
Julian adjusted his designer sunglasses as he pulled his sleek Mercedes SUV into the driveway. The trunk was loaded with Beatrice’s new purchases—thousands of dollars worth of useless luxury goods.
"Honestly, Julian, she is going to give you the silent treatment for a week," Beatrice chuckled from the passenger seat, touching up her lipstick. "Just ignore her. Women in her condition thrive on drama."
Julian sighed, irritated. "I know, Mom. I'll just tell her I'll buy her a new diamond tennis bracelet. That usually shuts her up."
He parked the car, and they casually strolled up the front walkway, Chloe trailing behind them while scrolling on her phone. But as they approached the porch, Julian stopped dead in his tracks.
The heavy, custom-made oak door was completely destroyed. The frame was splintered, the lock hanging by a single screw.
"What the hell?" Julian muttered, his irritation instantly morphing into panic.
He pushed the ruined door open. The moment they stepped into the foyer, Beatrice let out a blood-curdling shriek.
The living room looked like a slaughterhouse.
There were massive pools of blood staining the pristine white couches and the Persian rug. Bloody handprints smeared the granite kitchen island. Medical debris—torn sterile packaging, bloody towels, and a discarded EMT radio—littered the floor.
"Elena?!" Julian screamed, his voice cracking with sheer terror.
He dropped to his knees right in the center of the bloody rug. His mind instantly jumped to the worst conclusion: a home invasion. A violent murder. He had locked his vulnerable, pregnant wife in a tomb, and someone had broken in and slaughtered her.
"Call 911!" Julian yelled at Chloe, who was hyperventilating against the wall.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway. Three police officers, their hands resting on their holstered weapons, stepped into the living room. They had stayed behind to secure the scene after the ambulance left.
"Julian Vance?" the lead officer asked, his voice dripping with absolute disgust.
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"Yes! What happened to my wife?! Where is she?!" Julian sobbed, crawling forward.
The officer didn't offer a hand. He pulled out a pair of silver handcuffs. "Your wife is in emergency surgery fighting for her life. And you, sir, are under arrest for criminal negligence and reckless endangerment."
