CHAPTER 2 — The Truth Under the Surface
Clara was rushed inside.
The villa turned into a storm of footsteps, phones, and whispered panic.
But Daniel didn’t follow.
He stayed outside.
Still dripping wet.
Still unmoving.
The little boy clung to his father’s sleeve.
“She pushed Mommy… I saw her.”
That was all he said.
No hesitation. No confusion.
Just truth.
Daniel closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, something inside him had locked into place.
Inside the villa, the woman in white tried to leave quietly. One step. Then another.
Until Daniel’s voice stopped her.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
She turned slowly.
“I— I think there’s been a misunderstanding. She slipped—”
Daniel walked closer.
Each step calm. Controlled. Final.
“No,” he said quietly. “My son doesn’t misunderstand things like that.”
The air tightened.
Guests began to step away from her without realizing it.
Like she had become something dangerous to stand near.
Then Daniel spoke again, softer this time.
“Do you know what I lost today?”
May you like
She didn’t answer.
But she understood the question wasn’t meant for her to respond.
