Chapter 2 - The Lethal Pause
The crystal wine glass stopped halfway to Julian’s lips.
The color completely drained from Vivian’s flawless face. Her confident, arrogant posture shattered in a fraction of a second. She tried to pull her hand away from her husband’s gentle grip, but Julian’s fingers tightened just enough to keep her locked in place.
"Julian, darling," Vivian forced a high, nervous laugh that echoed awkwardly in the silent dining room. "What do you mean? I was just answering your question. The staff is always so clumsy, I simply assumed—"
"You didn't assume, Vivian," Julian interrupted, his voice dropping to a low, terrifying rumble. "You answered immediately. Defensively. As if you were terrified of what she might actually say."
Emma stood frozen, still clutching the edge of the silver food dome. Her heart was hammering so loudly against her ribs she thought the entire room could hear it.
Julian finally released his wife’s hand. He pushed his own untouched dinner plate away and stood up to his full, towering height. The imposing billionaire slowly walked around the edge of the mahogany table, stopping right in front of the trembling maid.
"Take the bandage off, Emma," Julian commanded softly.
"Julian, stop this nonsense right now!" Vivian shrieked, abruptly standing up from her chair, her red silk gown rustling aggressively. "You are embarrassing me in our own home! She’s just a maid! Tell her to go back to the kitchen!"
Julian didn't even look at his wife. He kept his dark, intense eyes locked entirely on Emma.
"Unwrap it," he repeated, his tone leaving absolutely no room for debate.
May you like
Emma squeezed her eyes shut. Tears of pure terror slipped down her pale cheeks. Her fingers fumbled with the metal clasp of the white gauze.
👉 What horrifying injury is hiding beneath the maid's bloody bandage?
