Chapter 6 – Shadows in the Mansion
Claire stepped away from the guest room before anyone noticed her standing outside the door.
Her heart pounded with humiliation.
She had expected Daniel to calm down after the doctor arrived. Instead, he had invited Hannah to stay in the mansion as his personal guest.
That had never happened before.
By the time Claire reached the empty ballroom, most of the guests had quietly left. The musicians were packing their instruments, and servants silently cleared untouched desserts from the tables.
The engagement celebration was over.
Not because anyone had announced it.
Because Daniel had walked away.
Claire clenched her fists.
"This isn't over," she whispered.
Upstairs, Hannah finally drifted to sleep.
Dr. Eleanor Hayes gave Martin a reassuring nod.
"Her blood pressure is improving."
"And the baby?" Martin asked.
"The baby's heartbeat is strong. If she rests, I believe they'll both be fine."
Daniel remained beside the window.
"Thank you, Doctor."
After she left, Martin approached him carefully.
"Sir... may I ask you something?"
Daniel nodded.
"Why did you keep Miss Brooks here instead of sending her to the hospital?"
Daniel was silent for several seconds.
"Because someone wanted her frightened."
Martin frowned.
"And frightened people are easier to silence."
Martin slowly understood.
"You think tonight wasn't simply about Claire humiliating her."
"No."
Daniel looked toward the bedroom door.
"I think someone has been trying to break Hannah for months."
The following morning, sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the estate.
Hannah awoke to the smell of fresh coffee and warm bread.
Confused, she looked around.
She was no longer wearing her maid's uniform. Instead, someone had changed her into a soft cotton nightgown while she slept.
A breakfast tray rested beside the bed.
Ben sat quietly in a chair reading a comic book.
The moment he noticed her awake, his face lit up.
"You're okay!"
Hannah smiled.
"I think so."
He hurried over.
"I was scared."
"So was I."
Ben gently hugged her, careful not to touch her stomach.
"I told the baby we'd both protect you."
Tears filled Hannah's eyes.
"Thank you."
A soft knock interrupted them.
Daniel entered carrying a thin manila folder.
He looked far more rested than the night before, but his expression remained serious.
"How are you feeling?"
"A little better."
"I'm glad."
He placed the folder on the bedside table.
"I have something you need to see."
Hannah looked at it uncertainly.
"What is it?"
"Your husband."
Her breath caught.
Daniel opened the folder.
Inside were photographs of Aaron working on the docks just days before his death.
Beneath them lay copies of financial records.
"I spent all night looking into the loan documents Whitlock Shipping claimed Aaron signed."
Hannah's hands trembled.
"Were they real?"
Daniel met her eyes.
"No."
"They're forgeries."
The room fell silent.
"But that's not the worst part," Daniel continued.
"I also found evidence that Aaron didn't die because he slipped."
Hannah felt her heart stop.
Daniel slid one final photograph across the bed.
It showed Aaron arguing with three unidentified men only hours before his death.
"I believe," Daniel said quietly, "your husband was murdered."
The color drained from Hannah's face.
At that same moment, somewhere else in the mansion, Claire sat across from a man dressed in a dark suit.
She pushed an envelope across the table.
"I don't care what it costs."
The man opened the envelope, revealing a thick stack of cash.
Claire's voice was cold.
"I want Hannah Brooks to disappear before she tells Daniel anything else."
The man smiled without warmth.
May you like
"You should have called me sooner."
Outside the library door, hidden in the shadows, Martin had heard every word.
