Chapter 2
Rachel stood frozen near the fireplace mantle, clutching her crystal glass so tightly her knuckles turned stark white against her emerald green silk midi dress.
Her pearl earrings caught the flickering light of the birthday candles as her micro-expressions shifted from feigned innocence to pure terror.
"I... I did," Rachel confessed, her voice barely rising above a trembling whisper as she stared down at the polished floorboards.
Julian stood up abruptly, holding the ceramic teacup in his right hand while stepping aggressively into Rachel's immediate personal space.
"Then you need to tell me everything," Julian snarled, his low, threatening voice vibrating with a lethal intensity that left no room for lies.
Rachel's chest heaved rapidly beneath her silk dress, her eyes darting nervously toward the framed US flag hanging proudly above the fireplace mantle.
"It was just a harmless prank... I swear I didn't know it would react like this," Rachel stammered, her composure completely shattering.
Sarah looked up from the floor, her tear-stained face twisting with venomous fury as she stared at her longtime friend.
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"You poisoned my daughter," Sarah whispered, her voice cracking with a mix of unspeakable grief and homicidal rage.
Julian raised his hand slightly, signaling Sarah to remain calm while his unblinking gaze locked onto Rachel's terrified eyes.
