Chapter 4

When I finally opened my eyes, a sharp, stabbing pain shot through the back of my head.

I tried to move, but my wrists were tightly bound to the metal bedposts.

"Oh, you're awake?"

Julian was standing near the bed. He turned on the TV mounted on the wall. It was broadcasting a live press conference from my new company.

The headline banner read: *Audrey Collins, Founder of New Tech Startup, Embezzles Millions and Flees.*

On screen, Julian was standing in front of dozens of microphones, looking solemn. He announced to the reporters that he would buy out all the shares and take over the company to "atone for his wife’s criminal actions."

He had successfully painted himself as the perfect, grieving, noble husband.

The TV screen went black as Julian tossed the remote onto the bed.

He walked over, leaning down to stare into my eyes, his face twisted with smug triumph.

"Who the hell do you think you are, Audrey? Trying to play games with me?"

I glared at him, tasting copper in my mouth. "You're a disgusting, pathetic coward, Julian."

"A coward?" He pinched my chin hard.

"You forced my hand! You wanted to leave me penniless? Well, now I’ve blocked every single escape route you have!"

"Let me tell you another secret. Chloe already sold your actual research data to our biggest competitor. You have absolutely nothing left."

"Very soon, I’ll hand you over to the police to satisfy the shareholders. You, my dear wife, will spend the rest of your miserable life in a federal prison!"

Just then, Chloe stepped out from the shadows of the room. Seeing my bruised and bound state, she let out a mock sigh.

"If you had just been obedient and handed over the shares, you wouldn't be in this mess. You brought this all on yourself, Audrey!"

She then erupted into a triumphant laugh.

"Oh, and Audrey? Who do you think is the father of the baby in my belly? It's Julian's! We've been together for years. If you hadn't been hogging the 'Mrs. Collins' title, we would have been public a long time ago!"

Julian smiled warmly at her, his face full of pride.

"Audrey, there's no point in hiding it now. You were always too controlling. I wanted a divorce years ago."

"But I have to thank you. Because of you, I met Chloe. She is a thousand times more gentle than you'll ever be. She knows how to take care of a man. She's the kind of woman I actually want."

Chloe leaned into Julian’s arms, her eyes gleaming with malice.

"Did you really think we just wanted to leave you penniless? You're so naive, Audrey. You tried to steal the company’s core assets and ruin our future. We had to take drastic measures."

She paused, a sickening smile stretching across her face.

"Do you remember how my husband died? A heavy-duty truck crushed him to death."

My entire body went rigid. A wave of pure terror washed over me.

"What... what are you saying?"

Julian spoke up, his voice utterly devoid of human warmth.

"The idiot wouldn't mind his own business. He found out about Chloe and me and threatened to expose us. So, we had to make him shut up permanently. We weren't going to pin it on you, but you pushed us to the edge. When the police ask, we'll tell them you hired the truck driver because you were jealous of my relationship with Chloe."

"You're insane!" I gasped, struggling against my ties. "That's murder! You're monsters!"

"Murder?"

Julian laughed, patronizingly patting my bruised cheek.

"Once we give our statements and fabricate a little trail of evidence, who's going to believe a disgraced thief who embezzled corporate funds? You won't just go to jail for fraud; you'll rot in there as a convicted murderer."

"And once we tell the world you committed suicide out of guilt... well, who's going to know the truth? Dead people don't talk."

With that, he pulled a thick nylon rope from his pocket, intending to strangle me and frame it as a hanging.

The rope drew closer and closer to my neck.

Just as the cold fiber touched my skin, the door to the room was violently kicked open.

Two armed detectives rushed in, badges out and guns raised.

"State Police! Hands in the air! Julian Collins, Chloe Vance, we’ve recorded every single word of your confession. You are under arrest for first-degree murder, corporate fraud, and kidnapping!"