He believed I had surrendered.
But my decision wasn’t acceptance of guilt.
It was a dangerous gamble based on the evidence Harrison and Callahan were still investigating.
I knew I might regret it.
I also knew Silas was becoming more reckless by the day.
And reckless men eventually reveal things careful men would hide.
***
Over the next several weeks, Silas transformed Vance Holdings.
Long-serving executives were dismissed.
Suspicious consulting contracts appeared.
Khloe’s relatives received expensive appointments.
Beatrice began attending charity galas wearing my mother’s jewelry.
The company my father had built with integrity was being treated like Silas’s personal bank account.
Meanwhile, Detective Callahan continued investigating.
He confirmed substantial gambling debts and questionable financial transfers.
But proving Silas’s involvement in my father’s death remained difficult.
One afternoon, he visited me.
“We’ve identified a number of suspicious transactions,” he said. “But the financial trail is complicated.”
“What about the Cayman Islands company?”
“We’re working with federal financial investigators.”
I nodded.
“Keep going.”
Callahan studied me.
“You seem unusually calm for someone facing a long prison sentence.”
I looked at him.
“Because I know Silas.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means he can’t resist showing off when he thinks he’s beaten someone.”
Callahan closed his folder.
“Your transfer orders are being prepared.”
“How long?”
“Possibly a few weeks.”
I looked toward the door.
“Then I hope he comes to visit.”
Callahan frowned.
“Why?”
“Because I think he’s getting ready to tell me something.”
***
A week later, Harrison brought troubling news.
Silas was planning to leave the United States.
He and Khloe intended to settle in Dubai before their baby arrived.
Most of the disputed corporate funds had already moved through overseas accounts.
Financial investigators were tracing the transfers, but recovery was uncertain.
Harrison also mentioned something unexpected.
“Beatrice has returned to Kentucky.”
I looked up.
“Why?”
“Apparently, she’s staying at the family’s old property for a few days.”
“Which property?”
“The abandoned farm outside Lexington.”
I remembered Silas mentioning that farm during our marriage.
He’d always avoided talking about his childhood.
Whenever I asked about his first marriage, he changed the subject.
His explanation was simple.
“Clara left me. I don’t like discussing it.”
I’d respected that boundary.
Now I wondered what else he’d been hiding.
“Find out what you can about Clara,” I told Harrison.
He nodded.
“I’ll look into her disappearance.”
Then he handed me a document.
“Your prison transfer has been scheduled for tomorrow morning at ten.”
I stared at the page.
Tomorrow.
After months of fighting, time was running out.
“Do one more thing,” I said.
“What?”
“Make sure Callahan is available tomorrow morning.”
Harrison studied my face.
“Eleanor, what are you expecting?”
I shook my head.
“I’m not sure yet.”
But something told me Silas wouldn’t let me leave without enjoying one final victory.
***
That afternoon, the guard announced visitors.
When I entered the room, I saw three familiar faces.
Silas.
Beatrice.
And Khloe.
My husband wore a navy designer suit.
An expensive watch glittered on his wrist.
Beatrice sat beside him in a luxurious fur coat, proudly displaying my late mother’s emerald ring.
Khloe leaned against Silas, one hand resting on her pregnant stomach.
Silas lifted the telephone.
“Well, Eleanor. Tomorrow’s the big day.”
I sat down.
“So I’ve heard.”
He smiled.
“Twenty-five years. That’s an awfully long time.”
Beatrice laughed.
“She’ll be an old woman when she gets out.”
Khloe looked at me with artificial sympathy.
“I’m sorry things turned out this way.”
I said nothing.
Silas leaned back.
“The company is doing wonderfully without you. We’ve already chosen a penthouse in Dubai. Khloe and I are starting a family.”
He placed a hand over her stomach.
“We’re having a boy.”
I looked at him.
“Congratulations.”
My calm response irritated him.
“That’s all you have to say?”
“What would you prefer?”
Beatrice lifted her hand toward the glass.
“Maybe she’d like to compliment my ring.”
I recognized it immediately.
My mother’s favorite emerald.
“Looks lovely,” I replied.
Beatrice’s smile faded.
She’d wanted tears.
I refused to give her any.
Silas moved closer.
“You know, Eleanor, I used to think you were the smartest woman I’d ever met.”
I watched him.
“But you made one enormous mistake.”
“Which was?”
“You trusted me.”
He laughed softly.
And something inside me became perfectly still.
“You’re right,” I said.
For a moment, Silas looked surprised.
Then his smile widened.
“Well, at least you finally understand.”
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