Chapter 7: The Empty Room
Arthur and Elena moved with silent urgency up the grand staircase, avoiding the steps where Leo had fallen the day before. The morning light filtered through the high stained-glass windows, casting long, colored prisms across the white marble. They reached the second-floor landing and hurried down the carpeted hallway toward the child's bedroom.
Arthur pushed the door open without knocking.
The room was pristine, perfectly organized, and completely empty. The bed was made with military precision, the stuffed rabbit resting neatly against the pillows. But Leo was nowhere to be seen.
"Leo?" Arthur called out, his voice cracking with sudden panic as he strode across the room, pulling open the closet doors and checking the adjoining bathroom. Nothing. The room was cold, as if no one had slept in it at all.
Elena rushed to the window, pulling back the heavy velvet drapes. The French doors leading to the second-story balcony were unlocked, standing slightly ajar, letting in a sharp gust of morning wind.
"Mr. Miller, look," Elena pointed toward the courtyard below.
A sleek black sedan was idling near the wrought-iron gates at the end of the long driveway, its tailpipes puffing small clouds of white exhaust into the chilly air. Even from a distance, the silhouette of a small figure in a dark blue polo shirt could be seen in the backseat, accompanied by a woman in an immaculate white dress.
"Julianne," Arthur breathed, the horror dawning on him with absolute clarity. He turned and bolted from the room, his heavy footsteps thundering down the corridor and toward the stairs.
Elena followed closely behind, her mind racing. Julianne wasn't just defending her secrets; she was fleeing, taking Leo with her before Arthur could uncover the full extent of her actions. But where would she go? The estate was miles from the city, isolated by dense woods and private roads.
They reached the foyer just as the front doors opened, revealing Julianne standing on the threshold. She had already changed into a tailored white trench coat over her dress, her blonde hair swept back into a sleek ponytail. She looked at Arthur with an expression of supreme, chilling indifference.
"Going somewhere, Julianne?" Arthur demanded, stepping into her path, his fists clenched at his sides.
"We are taking a trip, Arthur," Julianne replied smoothly, adjusting her leather gloves. "Leo needs a change of environment. This house has become... toxic. Surely you can see that."
"Where is my son?" Arthur shouted, the restraint finally snapping.
May you like
Julianne tilted her head, her pale green eyes flashing with dangerous amusement. "He is where he belongs, Arthur. With his mother. And if you try to stop us, you will find out just how much of your empire is legally tied to my name."
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