Chapter 4 - Another gunshot rang out.The mansion trembled beneath the shrill scream of the security alarms.
Red emergency lights painted the hallways like rivers of blood.
Ethan moved through the darkness with terrifying precision, every muscle in his body locked tight with fury.
Another gunshot exploded upstairs.
Guests screamed somewhere in the east wing.A chandelier shattered.
Glass rained across marble floors.
“Everyone stay down!” security guards shouted as panicked servants rushed people toward the exits.
But Ethan barely heard them.All he could hear was Vanessa’s voice echoing through the speakers.
“You ruined EVERYTHING!”
Static crackled.
Then manic laughter.
Ethan’s jaw clenched so hard it hurt.
She had completely lost control.
He reached the grand staircase and grabbed one of the guards by the arm.
“Where is she?”
“We lost camera access when the power went out,” the guard answered breathlessly. “But motion sensors show movement near the west wing.”
The west wing.
Noah’s old nursery.
Ethan’s blood ran cold.
Vanessa knew every inch of the mansion.
She knew exactly where to hurt them.
Without another word, Ethan stormed up the staircase.
Behind him, thunder exploded outside, rattling the enormous windows.
The storm had become violent now.
Wind screamed around the estate like something alive.
Another gunshot rang out.Closer this time.
Then—A woman screamed.
Ethan broke into a run.
At the end of the hallway, one of the maids stumbled out from around the corner sobbing hysterically.
“She’s insane!” the maid cried. “She locked Mr. Holloway in the study and fired at the door!”
“Get downstairs,” Ethan ordered.The maid fled instantly.
Ethan turned the corner carefully.
The hallway ahead was dark except for the flashing red emergency lights.
And there—Vanessa stood at the far end.
Her blonde hair hung soaked and wild around her face.
Mascara streaked her cheeks like black tears.
One hand gripped a pistol.
The other held a small silver lighter.
And beside her—gasoline.
Ethan froze.
Several overturned cans glistened across the floorboards.
Vanessa smiled slowly when she saw him.
But there was nothing sane left in her eyes anymore.
“You came.”
Ethan’s voice was ice.
“It’s over, Vanessa.”
“No,” she whispered. “It’s just beginning.”
She flicked the lighter open.
A tiny flame appeared.
“You destroyed my future for HER.”
May you like
“You destroyed your own future.”
Vanessa’s face twisted instantly.
