Chapter 2 - The Morning After
The sun rose over the Potomac, painting the sky in shades of gold and violet. I stood on the balcony of the master suite, sipping hot espresso, dressed in a tailored navy silk jumpsuit. Downstairs, Sophie and Lily were in the breakfast room, laughing with our housekeeper as they ate fresh fruit and french toast off hand-painted porcelain.
My phone had been buzzing continuously since 6:00 AM.
Richard had finally stumbled home to our Fairfax townhouse after an all-night victory celebration with his clients, only to find an empty house, empty closets, and two bare dressers.
At 7:15 AM, I finally answered.
"Where the hell are you, Laura?!" Richard’s voice exploded through the speaker, thick with sleep and irritation. "I come home exhausted after closing the biggest deal of my life, and my family isn't even here? Mother is coming over for brunch at eleven, and you need to apologize to her for walking out yesterday!"
I took a slow, deliberate sip of my coffee. "I’m not coming back, Richard."
A harsh laugh burst from his lips. "Don't be dramatic. You’re upset about the food thing? Mother was just stressed. You know how she is. Now stop throwing a tantrum. You don't even have enough money in your checking account to pay for a motel room for three days. Where are you going to go? Who’s going to support you?"
"I’m at home, Richard."
"Home? The townhouse is empty!"
"Not that home," I said quietly. "Check the location tag on the girls' tablets. I left them active on purpose."
Silence fell over the line as Richard tapped his phone screen. I could hear his shallow breathing as he pulled up the tracking app.
"Riverridge... Estate?" Richard muttered, his voice laced with confusion. "That’s in Great Falls. Laura, what kind of scam are you running? Did you take my daughters to some cheap bed-and-breakfast you can't afford? You’re going to ruin my credit!"
"If you want answers, Richard, come to the main gates of Riverridge. You have thirty minutes before my calendar fills up."
I hung up before he could respond.
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Fifteen minutes later, Marcus called from the front gate. "Ms. Vance, there is a man in a white BMW aggressively honking at the gate, claiming he’s your husband and demanding entry."
"Let him in, Marcus," I said, setting my coffee cup down. "And escort him directly to the grand study."
