Chapter 3 - Shadows On The Wall
Ellie backed out of the study, her knees trembling so badly she could barely stand. Reggie slammed the heavy double doors behind them, locking Jude and Brinley inside.
"If that kid ruins anything in there, you’re both dead," Reggie spat under his breath, turning on his heel and marching down the hallway.
Ellie didn't reply. Her mind was racing.
Why was Brinley safe with a ruthless crime boss? Why had Jude Mercer held her daughter like she was made of glass?
Ellie hurried down to the servants' quarters, her chest hurting with every breath. She needed answers. She had been told her husband Julian fled the country after stealing two million dollars from the Mercer syndicate. She had been told Jude Mercer personally ordered Julian hunted down.
She walked past the mansion’s library when she heard quiet, sharp voices inside.
Ellie pressed her back against the dark wood panelling, staying out of view of the cracked doorway.
"He kept the kid in the study, Reggie?" a woman's sharp voice asked. It was Clara, the head housekeeper who had worked for the Mercers for twenty years. "Jude hasn't let anyone into the east wing since... since the accident."
"Shut up, Clara," Reggie warned, his voice low and bitter. "The mother is asking questions. She keeps asking about Julian’s debt."
"Does she know?" Clara whispered.
"She doesn't know a damn thing," Reggie snapped. "She thinks Julian ran away to South America. Let her keep scrubbing floors."
"And the boss?" Clara asked nervously. "What was on his desk today?"
"Just old paperwork," Reggie lied smoothly. "Nothing that concerns you."
Ellie swallowed a gasp, clutching her hands against her mouth.
Julian didn't run.
The realization hit her like a physical blow. Everyone in this house was lying to her.
Ellie tiptoed away before they could hear her footsteps. She sprinted back toward the main stairwell, determined to get to the third floor and demand answers, regardless of the danger.
As she reached the top landing near the master study, the heavy doors opened.
Jude walked out, holding Brinley safely in his arm. Brinley was holding her one-eyed teddy bear, her head resting sleepily against Jude’s dark shirt.
Jude stopped when he saw Ellie standing at the end of the hall. His expression returned to its usual cold, unreadable mask.
He walked over and gently transferred Brinley into Ellie’s arms.
"She’s tired," Jude said quietly.
Ellie clutched her daughter tight, feeling the soft rise and fall of Brinley's breathing. "Thank you... Mr. Mercer."
Jude stared at Ellie for a long moment, his eyes scanning her pale face, her worn uniform, and the dark circles under her eyes.
"Your husband," Jude said, his voice dropping low. "When was the last time you spoke to him?"
"Six months ago," Ellie whispered, her voice shaking. "The night before he vanished. He said... he said he made a terrible mistake with your company."
Jude’s left eye twitched slightly. He leaned in half an inch.
"Julian never touched my company's money, Ellie," Jude said smoothly.
Ellie’s breath caught in her throat. "What?"
"Someone else took it," Jude said, his eyes darkening. "And someone gave me a fake ledger with your husband's signature."
Before Ellie could ask who, Jude turned his head toward the dark staircase.
Sitting on the floor near the corner of the hallway—right where Reggie had been standing minutes ago—was a small silver cufflinks. It was engraved with the initials R.S.
May you like
Jude picked it up, staring at it silently.
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