Chapter 2: The Smile That Finally Broke
Julian's voice came out low and unsteady.
"Mother...
what did you do to her?"
Eleanor didn't flinch.
"Whatever was necessary," she said simply.
"That girl was never right for this family."
Julian looked back at my legs.
Then at his mother.
Then at Dominic, still holding the leather portfolio.
Something shifted behind his eyes.
"Get out," he said quietly.
Eleanor laughed — a short, polished sound.
"Darling, you're exhausted.
You're not thinking clearly."
"Get.
Out."
The smile didn't leave her face.
But her eyes went cold.
Dominic stepped forward and placed one document on the bed beside me.
"The petition has already been filed," he said.
"With or without her signature."
That was when my phone — sitting on the bedside table — lit up.
A message from a number I recognized immediately.
My former supervisor at the state attorney's office.
Four words.
*We have everything.
Ready.*
I didn't reach for the phone.
I didn't need to.
Because at that exact moment, two people appeared in the open doorway behind Eleanor.
Neither of them was hospital staff.
Eleanor finally turned around.
May you like
And for the first time all evening...
Her smile disappeared completely.
