Forty Five
Ellen’s POV
As I groggily opened my eyes to the soft light filtering through the curtains, my mind slowly emerging from the depths of sleep, I reached for my phone on the nightstand. I unlocked the screen and my heart sank as I read the message from Martha the maid I planted at Zeke’s place.
Mr. Reid is in town, but did not sleep at home.
A sense of unease settled over me like a heavy fog as I assimilated the information. Where could Zeke have gone? What could have kept him away all night?
As I sat up to gather my thoughts and make sense of the situation, the realization dawned on me with a jolt of apprehension. Zeke never slept out. It simply wasn’t his style.
The only time he stayed away from home overnight was when he was out of the country, and even then, he would use his private jet to return home as quickly as possible.
So where could he have gone? And why hadn’t he returned home?
A thousand possibilities raced through my mind, each one more troubling than the last. Had he been called away on urgent business? Was he in some kind of trouble? Or had something happened to him?
As I pondered the possible reasons for Zeke’s sudden absence, a knot of anxiety tightened in my chest. Zeke’s aversion to sleeping out and his meticulous security measures made his absence all the more baffling.
Was he with that bloody whore? The thought made my blood boil with jealousy and rage. How dare she encroach upon what was mine? Or was he with the kids? Or was he with both of them?
“Arrrrgh!” The mere thought made me livid, the implications of his actions echoing with ominous significance.
As I wrestled with the weight of these possibilities, one thing became abundantly clear: I needed to find Zeke, and fast. The longer he remained missing from my sight, the more precarious our situation became.
With a sense of urgency gripping my every move, I reached for my phone and dialed Mr Finley. As the call connected, I wasted no time in conveying my instructions, my voice firm and resolute.
“I need you to put a tail on Zeke.” I said. “I need to know where he went last night, but it has to be discreet. No mistakes.”
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before the familiar voice of Mr. Finley echoed back. “Understood, Miss Manor.” He replied, his tone serious. “I’ll make sure it’s handled with the utmost discretion.”
But I wasn’t finished yet. “And if necessary.” I continued, my voice lowering to a whisper, “I want someone to go undercover. We can’t afford to take any chances.”
“Noted Miss.” Mr. Finley replied.
After hanging up on the call, I took a moment to gather my thoughts before rising from the bed. I made my way to the bathroom and after a couple of minutes I was done. I needed to make a stop at the precinct to see Liz.
I don’t really know what I want to do there anyways. Maybe play the loving family.
Standing in my closet, I slipped into a pair of fitted dark wash jeans, their classic silhouette providing a versatile foundation for my outfit.
On top, I opted for a chic oversized knit sweater in a neutral tone, its soft fabric draping elegantly over my frame.
Then I slipped into a pair of sleek ankle boots in a rich cognac hue, their understated design adding a subtle hint of sophistication to the outfit.
We were still facing persecution, but I wasn’t broke.
As I descended the stairs, the inviting aroma of breakfast greeted me, tantalizing my senses with its array of delectable scents. The table was set with an assortment of dishes, from freshly baked pastries to platters of fruits and cheeses, creating a feast fit for royalty.
Spotting my parents already seated at the table engaged in quiet conversation. “Good morning, Mother, Father.” I greeted them as I approached the table.
But just as I was about to take a seat and join them, I heard the unmistakable voice of my brother Gabriel greeting my parents as he took a seat.
A wave of annoyance washed over me at the thought of facing him so early in the morning, and I hesitated, my hand hovering uncertainly over the back of a chair.
Sensing my hesitation, my mother turned to me with a concerned expression. “Ellen, aren’t you going to join us for breakfast?” She asked.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
I forced a smile, masking my irritation as best as I could. “I’ve lost my appetite.” I replied curtly, my tone betraying my frustration. “I can’t eat with a weasel anyways.” I added forcing a smile.
With a quick nod to my parents, I bid them farewell and made a hasty retreat, eager to escape the awkwardness of the situation. As I made my way out of the room, I could feel their eyes on me, their concern hanging in the air like a heavy fog.
Soon, I arrived at the precinct. I threw my bag over at Ava, my assistant and walked inside.
I entered the receiving room and laid eyes on her, the sight that greeted me sent a pang of unease coursing through me.
Liz stood before me, her usually immaculate appearance marred by disheveled hair and rumpled clothing. Though she was not haggard, there was a weariness in her eyes, a shadow of her former self that struck me to the core.
My heart sank as I took in her appearance. “Liz.” I began, my voice tinged with reproach, “Look at you. What have you done?”
But before I could say another word, Liz’s response cut through the air like a sharp knife. “If you’re here to spew nonsense, you can get the fuck out of here.” She retorted, her voice laced with a hint of defiance.
I recoiled at her words, stung by the venom in her tone. But even as anger simmered within me, I knew that beneath her bravado lay a sister in distress, grappling with her own demons.
“I was going to leave anyway.” I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil churning within me. “But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re in this mess because of your own actions.”
Liz suddenly exploded in a laughter that filled the room, a sense of bitter irony hung heavy in the air. Her words cut through me like a knife, each syllable laced with a painful truth that I couldn’t deny.
“Oh, spare me your righteous indignation.” She scoffed, her voice tinged with bitterness. “Our family is so dirty and wasted. Just a day ago, I was supposed to be their savior, and now I’m suddenly the cause of their mishap.”
Her words struck a nerve, and I felt a surge of anger rising within me. How dare she lay the blame at my feet, when she was the one who had brought this upon herself?
But even as fury threatened to consume me, I forced myself to remain calm. Now was not the time for petty squabbles or finger-pointing. We needed to focus on finding a way out of this mess, together.
With a deep breath, I pushed aside my own frustrations and met Liz’s gaze with steely resolve. “We need to figure out our next move.” I said, my voice firm.
“But we can’t do that if we’re at each other’s throats. We need to work together, now more than ever.” She stopped laughing.
Liz’s sudden change in demeanor sent a chill down my spine. “Kamille’s spirit is back for all of you. She’s hunting us down one by one.”
As she spoke, I felt a shiver of fear creep up my spine, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.
“Kamille’s spirit?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper, disbelief and dread mingling in my tone. “Liz, you can’t be serious.”
But Liz’s expression remained grave, her eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my skin crawl. “I’m dead serious, Ellen.” She replied, her voice low and ominous. “You better watch your back, because Kamille’s spirit will not rest until we all fall.”
“I’ll be waiting.” I replied, my voice steady despite the tumult of emotions raging within me.
As I spoke the words, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was truth to Liz’s ominous warning. Was Kamille’s spirit truly back to haunt us, or was it nothing more than a figment of Liz’s imagination?
Fuck!
I stormed out of the receiving room. As I reached the exit, Ava approached, her expression filled with concern but before she could utter a word, I snapped at her, my frustration boiling over.
“Shut up!” I barked, my tone sharp and biting.
With that, I stormed past her and made my way to the waiting car, my mind consumed with thoughts of Liz’s words.
Her mental state must be deteriorating.