Chapter 3
Julian descended the staircase at a reckless pace, his hand sliding rapidly down the polished wooden banister to keep his balance. Maya shrank back against the curved wall of the foyer, pressing her back so hard against the plaster that the delicate fabric of her beige dress seemed to melt into the surface. She raised the wine glass defensively, though the liquid inside had long stopped sloshing, settling into a grim, dark circle at the bottom of the bowl. Julian landed on the marble floor with a heavy thud, closing the distance between them in three long, predatory strides.
"Where are the keys, Maya?" Julian demanded, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper that carried an unmistakable edge of desperation. "Clara is gone, and the master suite is bolted from the inside. What game are you all playing with me?"
Maya swallowed hard, her throat visibly tightening. "I am not playing any games, Julian. You never listen to what is actually happening in this house. You only look at the balance sheets and the property deeds."
"Spare me the philosophical lectures," Julian snapped, stepping closer until he invaded her personal space. "Leo is up there. Maren is missing. I want answers right now, or I swear to God I will tear this house down to its foundations."
Maya lowered her gaze, staring fixedly at the expensive silk tie resting against his chest. "Maren didn't lock herself in that room because she wanted privacy, Julian. She locked herself in because she was terrified of what you were going to bring home with you."
Julian froze, his hand hovering mid-air as the implication of her words settled over him like a suffocating shroud. "What are you talking about? My business deals have nothing to do with my family."
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"Everything you do touches this family," Maya whispered, her voice cracking with suppressed emotion. "The creditors, the lawsuits, the men who came by the office last Tuesday looking for collateral. Maren tried to protect Leo from it, but you just kept pushing, bringing your chaos right to our front door."
Julian stepped back, the fight draining out of his posture, leaving him looking older and far smaller than the imposing man who had stormed through the front door minutes earlier. He looked around the brightly lit foyer, suddenly realizing how alien this luxurious house truly was to him. He had lived here for six years, yet he had never known where the master key was kept. Maya let out a shaky breath, finally setting her untouched wine glass down on a marble-topped console table with a soft, echoing clink.
