Chapter 2 - Celeste Confronts Maya Outside The Hidden Wall Opening
The heavy scent of white roses and expensive French perfume drifted down the dimly lit corridor as Celeste Hawthorne closed the distance between them.
Her dark-blue evening gown rustled softly against the walnut flooring, and the diamond necklace at her throat caught the dim glow of the wall sconce.
Maya stood frozen beside the damaged oil painting, her hand instinctively pressing against the pocket of her maid’s apron where the active 911 call remained connected.
“You didn't answer my question, Maya,” Celeste murmured, her voice carrying an edge of razor-sharp steel beneath its velvet warmth.
Maya forced her fingers to unclench from her apron fabric, keeping her breathing shallow and controlled to mask the terror clawing at her throat.
“I thought I heard a pipe leaking behind the paneling, Mrs. Hawthorne,” Maya replied, keeping her voice as flat and professional as possible.
Celeste stopped two paces away, her dark eyes narrowing as she inspected the splintered gold frame and the broken glass scattered across the Persian runner.
“A leaking pipe requires maintenance personnel, not domestic staff on gala night,” Celeste noted, her gaze sliding toward the dark rectangular gap in the wall.
Behind the partially shifted canvas, absolute silence reigned, though Maya could still hear the faint, ragged rhythm of Noah’s breathing echoing in her own mind.
Celeste took another slow step closer, her heels clicking against the wood with the deliberate precision of a predator closing in on wounded prey.
“Step away from the wall, Maya,” Celeste instructed, her tone dropping into a terrifyingly soft register that left no room for argument.
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Maya’s heart hammered violently against her ribs, but she held her ground, knowing that moving away meant surrendering the child to whatever dark fate awaited him.
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