Chapter 5 - A Husband's Smile
Julian Vance stood in the center of the vast marble foyer, looking every bit the picture of success in his charcoal-grey bespoke suit. He tossed his leather gloves onto the mahogany console table with practiced casualness, his gaze fixing smoothly on Elena as she descended the final two steps of the grand staircase.
"You're home early," Elena said, her voice remarkably even despite the storm of fury and betrayal raging inside her chest.
Julian smiled, taking a step forward while adjusting his silver cufflinks.
"A meeting wrapped up sooner than expected," Julian replied, his tone laced with that familiar, soothing cadence he usually reserved for boardrooms or nervous investors. "Is everything alright, darling? You look pale. Did something happen with the baby?"
Elena stopped just out of arms reach, her dark eyes narrowing as she studied the man she had trusted with her life and her child.
"Nothing happened with our son, Julian," Elena said, her voice dropping into a register that made his smile falter for a fraction of a second. "Though it’s interesting that you ask about him first, rather than asking how I am feeling."
Julian’s eyes flicked upward toward the landing, where Clara was still standing in the shadows of the hallway. The subtle shift in his attention did not go unnoticed.
"Your sister is here too," Julian observed, his voice losing a fraction of its warmth. "Has she been upsetting you again with her nervous habits? You know how easily stressed you get, Elena. The doctor specifically advised keeping your environment calm."
Elena felt a surge of hot adrenaline push past her restraint. She stepped closer to him, closing the distance until she could smell the expensive sandalwood of his cologne—a scent she now associated with sickness and deceit.
"The only thing upsetting my environment is the poison you’ve been slipping into my tea," Elena whispered fiercely, her voice sharp enough to draw blood.
Julian didn't flinch. He didn't gasp, nor did he look confused. Instead, his expression hardened into a cold, clinical mask that chilled Elena to the bone. He slowly shoved his hands into his trouser pockets, tilting his head with a condescending air of pity.
"You’re having another episode, Elena," Julian said softly, his voice dripping with condescension. "Just like last week. Maybe we should call Dr. Sterling back."
May you like
Before Elena could strike him, the front door swung wide open behind Julian, and two uniformed police officers stepped into the foyer.
---
