Chapter 2 - THE COLDEST TRUTH ON MARBLE
Julian knelt motionless on the cold marble floor, his eyes locked onto the red disposable lighter resting inches from his dark leather shoes.
The metallic smell of butane mixed sickeningly with the faint scent of burned skin and Victoria’s expensive lavender perfume.
Victoria stood frozen in her burgundy silk robe, her breathing coming in ragged, shallow gasps as her fabricated story crumbled in an instant.
"Julian, baby, you have to listen to me!" she shrieked, taking a desperate step forward with her arms outstretched.
Without looking up at her, Julian gently cupped little Lily’s blistered hand, his thumb trembling as he avoided touching the raw red mark.
Five-year-old Lily buried her tear-stained face into her father’s navy blue suit jacket, her tiny shoulders shaking with silent sob.
"Mrs. Gable, take Lily to the study and call Dr. Miller immediately," Julian said, his voice dropping into a register so dangerously quiet it chilled the air.
The elderly nanny immediately wrapped her apron around the crying child, rushing out of the bathroom without casting a single glance back at Victoria.
Julian slowly stood up to his full six-foot-two height, towering over the woman who had shared his bed for the past six months.
His handsome face was stripped of all warmth, transformed into a terrifying mask of pure, calculated vengeance.
"You told me she attacked you," Julian murmured, stepping over the red lighter with agonizing deliberation.
"She was playing with it! I tried to snatch it away and she burned herself!" Victoria lied frantically, her hands shaking as she pulled her silk robe tight.
Julian reached out and clamped his hand around Victoria’s jaw with crushing force, pinning her against the marble wall framed by the American flag.
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"Lily is terrified of fire, Victoria," Julian whispered into her ear, his dark eyes ablaze with icy fury. "She doesn't even touch birthday candles."
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