Chapter 2 - The Desperate DonAt 3:00 AM, the grand study of the Moretti Mansion in River Forest was in complete ruin.
Crystal whiskey decanters lay shattered against the stone fireplace. Bookshelves had been cleared, and private files were scattered across the Persian rug.
Vincent Moretti sat behind his massive mahogany desk, his tailored three-piece suit rumpled, his tie undone, his dark hair disheveled. His face was ghastly pale, his eyes bloodshot, trembling as he stared at the single sheet of paper resting in the center of his desk: my divorce petition, topped by my platinum wedding ring and my final letter.
Standing near the doorway, holding a silver tray laden with untouched coffee, was the veteran housekeeper, Mrs. Gable. She looked at her boss with a mixture of pity and profound disgust.
Sophia Reynolds stood near the leather sofa, wearing a silk robe, her face contorted in a mask of manic, nervous rage.
"Vincent!" Sophia shrieked, taking a step toward the desk. "You've been reading that stupid letter for six hours! She's lying! She forged those hospital reports! She just wants to embarrass you because you spent the night with me!"
CRASH!
Vincent stood up so fast his heavy leather chair crashed backward against the glass windows.
He crossed the room in two terrifying strides, his broad hand grabbing Sophia by her collar, pinning her against the mahogany wall with such savage, apocalyptic fury that her breath hitched in a terrified squeak.
"SHE WAS ALLERGIC, SOPHIA!" Vincent roared, his voice cracking into a raw, guttural shriek that shook the chandeliers. "YOU KNEW SHE WAS ALLERGIC! YOU LAUGHED WHEN I FORCED IT INTO HER MOUTH!"
"V-Vincent... please!" Sophia whimpered, tears of pure terror streaming down her face. "You... you forced her! Not me!"
"I KILLED MY OWN CHILD!" Vincent screamed, tears finally bursting from his eyes, cutting clean tracks through the dust on his face. "I killed my baby because I was listening to your cheap, manipulative voice!"
He shoved her away with such force she collapsed onto the floorboards.
"Get out," Vincent rasped out, his voice dropping into a deadly, freezing whisper. "Get out of my house. If I ever see your face again, Sophia... I will make sure you vanish from this city."
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Sophia scrambled backward on her hands and knees, fleeing through the double oak doors in total, hysterical disgrace.
Vincent fell flat onto his knees right on his carpet floorboards, clutching my platinum wedding ring against his lips, weeping uncontrolled, agonizing sobs into the empty, silent room.
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