Chapter 4 - The Hidden Document
The service stairs creaked softly under Maya's weight as she descended into the pitch-black kitchen. The house was dead silent, save for the hum of the refrigerator. She crept toward the swinging door that led back to the main foyer. Peeking through the small glass pane, she saw that the hallway was empty. The luxury handbag still sat on the marble console table, glowing faintly under the moonlight pouring through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Maya pushed the door open, her rubber-soled boots making no sound on the imported stone floor.
She reached the console table and immediately unzipped the bag. Her trembling fingers rummaged through the silk lining, pushing past a lipstick, a compact mirror, and a leather cardholder. Finally, her fingertips brushed against heavy, crisp cardstock. She pulled out the cream-colored envelope. Her mother’s elegant handwriting graced the front: To Maya Only—Open in the event of my unnatural death.
Maya’s breath caught in her throat. Unnatural death. Her mother had known.
Before she could pull the folded papers from the envelope, a blinding beam of light cut across the foyer.
"Looking for something, stepdaughter?"
May you like
Maya froze. She turned slowly to see Clara standing at the opposite end of the hallway, holding a heavy silver candlestick like a club, her expression twisted into a triumphant sneer.
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