Chapter 3 - The Price of Treachery
Patricia’s breath came in short, ragged gasps. She looked from the glowing television screen to the cold, unyielding faces of my security team, and finally to me.
"Richard..." she whispered, her hands beginning to shake uncontrollably. "It's... it's not what it looks like. Julian was threatening me! He forced me to say those things! I was only trying to discipline the girls because I love them, I wanted to be a good mother to them—"
"Do not ever use the word 'mother' in this house again," I spat, the rage in my voice so cold it made her shiver. "You are a parasite."
I turned to Rosa. The quiet, dignified woman stood near the bottom of the stairs, a faint bruise already forming on her cheek where Patricia had struck her.
"Rosa," I said, stepping toward her. "I owe you an apology that words can never truly fulfill. I let this snake poison my mind against the most loyal person in my children's lives. Can you ever forgive me?"
Rosa looked at me, then down at Daniela and Martina, who were still clinging to my legs. A soft, gentle smile touched her lips. "Mr. Richard... you were blinded by someone you trusted. But you came back for your daughters. That is all that matters to me."
I nodded deeply, swallowing the lump in my throat. I turned back to Patricia.
"Arthur," I commanded. "Call the local police department. Report an active corporate espionage case, assault and battery against domestic staff, and attempted fraud."
Patricia’s eyes widened in sheer terror. "Police?! Richard, you can't do this! Think of my reputation! Think of our wedding announcements!"
"The only announcement being published tomorrow is your arrest," I replied coldly. "Search her bags. Take back every piece of jewelry, every access key, and every credit card under my company's name."
Two female security officers stepped forward, catching Patricia by her arms as she tried to bolt toward the front door. She began to scream, kicking and thrashing as they expertly restrained her and pulled her toward the private study to wait for the police.
"You fool!" Patricia shrieked, her aristocratic facade entirely dissolved into ugly, screeching rage. "Julian is going to ruin you anyway! He already has copies of your corporate filings! You're going to lose everything, Richard! Everything!"
"Julian has useless drafts," I called after her as the officers pulled her down the hall. "Because unlike you, Arthur actually does his job."
As her screaming faded behind the heavy study doors, the foyer returned to a blessed, heavy quiet.
I sank back down to the floor, pulling Daniela and Martina into a tight hug. Daniela rested her head on my shoulder, letting out a long, shuddering sigh of relief that told me the nightmare was finally over.
"Daddy?" Martina asked softly, her little hand touching my cheek.
"Yes, my sweet girl?"
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"Are we safe now?"
Tears burned my eyes as I kissed her small fingers. "Yes, Martina. You are safe. I promise you, on my life, no one will ever hurt you in this house again."
