Chapter 6 - THE WOMAN THEY TRIED TO ERASEThe next twelve hours changed everything.
The prosecution team sealed my house.
The hospital increased security.
The Sterling estate became a crime scene.
And my name appeared on every major news channel.
Not as a victim.
As a suspect.
“Sources say Audrey Sterling may have participated in the financial misconduct investigation.”
The television played silently in the corner.
I stared.
“They're framing me.”
Diana turned the screen off.
“Yes.”
“They're trying to destroy my credibility.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you're the strongest witness.”
I looked at my sleeping son through the NICU glass.
“They can't reach him.”
“They will try to use anything they can.”
I turned.
Diana looked exhausted.
“Then let's hit them first.”
She opened a file.
“We have enough to indict Eleanor and Seraphina.”
“Julian?”
“Still missing.”
“Marcus?”
“Under federal detention.”
“Richard Haines?”
“Untouchable for now.”
I shook my head.
“Not for long.”
Diana raised an eyebrow.
“What are you thinking?”
I told her.
That night, we released only one document to the press.
A bank authorization.
Julian's signature.
The number of the account.
The amount transferred.
Nothing else.
Within an hour, the financial press exploded.
The Sterling family stock holdings collapsed.
Phones rang across the country.
Investors panicked.
Politicians demanded answers.
Eleanor disappeared from public view.
Seraphina canceled every interview.
But Julian remained missing.
Then, at 2:14 a.m., my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
Silence.
Then his voice.
“Audrey.”
My entire body froze.
“Where are you?”
“Safe.”
“You abandoned me.”
“I didn't abandon you.”
“You locked me in a bathroom.”
“I didn't know what Mom would do.”
“You watched her do it.”
Silence.
“Julian…”
“I need you to listen.”
“No.”
“Please.”
“No.”
“You don't understand what you're dealing with.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“You don't.”
His voice cracked.
That surprised me.
“You think I wanted any of this?”
“You signed the transfers.”
“I was forced.”
“By whom?”
He didn't answer.
“Julian.”
“I can't say.”
“Then you're protecting them.”
Another pause.
Then:
“I was protecting you.”
I laughed bitterly.
“You left me locked in a bathroom while I was in labor.”
“I thought they would only delay you.”
“Only delay me?”
“I didn't know the baby would come early.”
“You knew enough.”
His breathing became uneven.
Then he whispered:
“Phase Two isn't about the money.”
I sat completely still.
“What is it about?”
“You.”
My blood went cold.
“What about me?”
“They need you discredited.”
“I already know that.”
“No.”
His voice dropped.
“They need you dead.”
The line went silent.
“Julian?”
Nothing.
“Julian!”
The call ended.
A second later, my phone received a message.
One photo.
A hospital hallway.
Taken from the end of my floor.
Then another.
A picture of my son in the NICU.
Then a third.
The image was a screenshot of an encrypted document.
At the top:
PHASE TWO: WITNESS TERMINATION
Below it:
PRIMARY SUBJECT: AUDREY STERLING
I stared at the screen.
Then a fourth message appeared.
YOU HAVE 48 HOURS.
Diana came running into the room.
“What happened?”
I turned the phone toward her.
She read the message.
Then she looked toward the door.
“Lock everything.”
The hospital alarms suddenly began ringing.
One after another.
Red lights flashed in the hallway.
A nurse shouted:
“Someone has entered the restricted floor!”
Diana drew her weapon.
And from somewhere beyond the door came a familiar voice.
May you like
Eleanor.
“Tell Audrey I only want to talk.”
