Chapter 7 - The First Threat
Richard came home furious.
He didn’t yell.
Richard never yelled when he was most dangerous.
He closed the front door behind him.
“What game are you playing?”
Khloe stood in the kitchen.
“I’m making tea.”
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Act stupid.”
She turned.
“I know about Vanessa.”
Richard’s face became empty.
There it was.
No denial.
No apology.
Just the end of pretending.
“How long?”
“Does it matter?”
“To me?”
He sighed.
“Khloe, this marriage has been dead for years.”
“You seemed alive enough when you were trying to make a baby with me.”
“That was complicated.”
“No. It was cruel.”
He walked to the bar.
Poured bourbon.
“I didn’t plan for you to get pregnant.”
She stared at him.
Those words hurt more than the affair.
“You said you wanted a daughter.”
“I said a lot of things six years ago.”
Khloe’s eyes filled.
Richard looked annoyed.
“Please don’t cry.”
She laughed through tears.
“Sorry. Is it inconvenient?”
“Vanessa understands my life.”
“Because she helps you steal money?”
His glass stopped halfway to his mouth.
“What did you say?”
Khloe realized her mistake instantly.
Richard put the glass down.
“How much do you know?”
“Enough.”
He crossed the room.
She stepped back.
“Did Harrison put you up to this?”
“No.”
“Did you go through my files?”
“Move away from me.”
Richard grabbed her wrist.
Hard.
Khloe gasped.
“Richard.”
“Where is it?”
“What?”
“The drive.”
She went cold.
He knew.
“You opened the safe.”
“Let go.”
“The drive, Khloe.”
“You’re hurting me.”
“Where is it?”
The baby kicked violently.
Khloe panicked.
“Let go!”
She shoved him.
Richard stumbled backward.
For a second, he looked shocked.
Then ashamed.
Then furious.
The front door opened.
Harrison walked in.
Richard released her instantly.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
Harrison looked at Khloe’s wrist.
Red finger marks.
Then he looked at Richard.
“Take your hands off my sister.”
“It’s my house.”
Harrison walked closer.
“Congratulations.”
Richard laughed.
“You can’t intimidate me.”
“I don’t need to.”
Harrison took out his phone.
“I came to pick up Khloe.”
“She’s not leaving.”
Khloe spoke.
“Yes, I am.”
Richard looked at her.
“No.”
Harrison stepped between them.
“She said yes.”
Richard’s face twisted.
“You walk out that door, don’t come back.”
Khloe looked around the mansion.
Six years.
Every room contained a memory.
She picked up her purse.
“Okay.”
Richard’s confidence cracked.
“Khloe.”
She kept walking.
At the door, Harrison stopped.
Turned.
“Oh, Richard?”
“What?”
Harrison’s eyes were ice.
“You should probably call your criminal lawyer.”
Richard’s face changed.
May you like
Harrison smiled.
“Actually, call two.”
