Chapter 6: The Fall
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Russell’s face turned dark in a second. Without a word, he bolted up the stairs. By the time I looked up, he was already gone.>
I followed quickly and found Claudia dangling from the balcony outside the study. Her fingers gripped the ledge so tightly they turned white. Her whole body trembled like she could drop at any moment.
Russell’s face twisted with panic as he lunged forward and grabbed her wrists.
“Claudia, don’t be afraid. I’ve got you. I’ll pull you up.”}
But no matter how hard he tried, she didn’t budge.}
Her sobs grew louder, and then he turned on me, fury flashing in his eyes.
“What are you standing there for? Aren’t you going to help? You’re really heartless, Nadine! You want to watch her fall?”
I didn’t move. I just looked at him.§
Let’s be honest.
Claudia had attempted to have me killed in the car accident last time. I hadn’t even begun to address that issue. Now she was here, orchestrating yet another scene. Another trap awaited me.}
Russell was a grown man. If he couldn’t pull her up, that meant only one thing. Claudia wasn’t trying to be saved. Not until I got close enough for her to take me down with her.
I slowly raised my phone and said, “Let me call the police. Hold on, my dear little sister. I think it’s safer to let the pros handle this.“> Glaudia’s face twisted, something mean flashing behind the tears. From where Russell stood, he couldn’t see it. But I could. I knew what
this was.
Then she smiled, just for me.§
I froze, heart pounding.
And then, she let go.
= = = 2 * <
“Russell, I know my presence makes Nadine unhappy. It’s okay. I’ll disappear. That way, she’ll finally be happy.”
“No!” Russell lunged for her, but it was too late.}]
A sickening thud followed. Claudia hit the ground below.
The scream that came after was raw and loud.
“Claudia!“}
Russell’s body stiffened. Then he whipped around and grabbed me by the neck. He slammed me against the wall. “if anything happens to her, you go down with her!“>
He wasn’t bluffing.
My face turned purple. I couldn’t breathe. Limbs numb. Vision swimming. I gasped for air and choked out,
“If you… don’t go now… she really will die…”
Only then did he let go. He turned and bolted downstairs.}
I dropped to the floor, coughing, hands clutching at my throat. My whole body shook. I had just looked death in the eye, and it wore Russell’s face.
I dragged myself to the window.
Outside, I saw him cradling Claudia like she was the most fragile thing in the world.
“It’s okay, Claudia. I won’t let anything happen to you…“}]
Then the car took off. Silence fell over the villa again.”
I stood there, staring at the tail lights disappearing into the distance. The study was on the second floor. There were bushes and grass below. There was no way that fall would kill her.”
She planned the whole thing.”
Even if she couldn’t pull me down, she used the stunt to steal Russell’s attention and cut off our conversation.
Perfect timing. Perfect lie.
I waited. Quiet. I would let the night fall before making my next move.
…E
Later that night, I arrived at the hospital. I looked in through the glass from outside the room.
Russell sat beside Claudia’s bed like the world’s most devoted husband. He held her hand. Ran errands. Hung on the doctor’s every word.
This wasn’t the cold, distant man I had married, not with her. With her, he gave everything.N
And then I saw it–a tattoo on his wrist.”
- CJ.
Claudia.
Years ago, I once joked and drew a fake tattoo on his arm. When he found out, he scrubbed it off so hard he peeled the skin.
Russell told me one thing. “I don’t like tattoos.”
Choice
I blinked, stunned.
212
29.42
.
That was the excuse.N
But now I knew. Russell didn’t hate tattoos. He didn’t want any name on his skin unless it was hers,
I looked away, pain stabbing through my chest. My hand went to the divorce papers tucked inside my bag.”
I approached the guard outside her room and handed it over. “Give this to Russell. Tell him I’m leaving. I won’t come back.”
The guard hesitated.N
Just then, the doctor stepped out and noticed the bruises on my neck.
“Miss, what happened here? This is serious. It could’ve fractured your neck. Come with me. I can prescribe something. And if you’d like, I can help file a police report-“N
“No need, Doctor,” I said with a smile. “I’m fine. Thank you.”
The room door wasn’t completely shut.N
Through the gap, I saw Russell glance over at the sound of our voices. His eyes landed on the marks on my neck. His face shifted. His hand, mid–motion, feeding Claudia, stopped.N
“Russell, I want more,” Claudia said sweetly, pulling him back.
He snapped out of it and resumed feeding her.
“Russell, you’re the best,” she giggled.N
He smiled, leaned in, and kissed her.
Isaw everything.N
By the time I said goodbye to the doctor, dawn was already breaking.
Outside, Jacob was waiting by the car. He handed me a paper bag. Inside were my favorite breakfast, ointment, and clean bandages. Everything I needed.N
We rode in silence toward the airport.N
When we arrived, I stepped out and turned to him with a small smile. “Goodbye.“}
“We’ll meet again,” he said, a faint smile touching his lips. “Sir Andrei invited me to his birthday gala next month. I’ll see you there.” My eyes widened. “You know Sir Andrei Monet?”
He chuckled and then replied, “Not well. Just business.”
“Great,” I said, my heart full of hope for the freedom ahead. “Then I’ll see you in a month.”
I got out of the car, grabbed my already–packed luggage, and stood at the airport doors.M
Then I turned and headed toward something new.
Mountains. Seas. Freedom.
And this time, I was leaving everything else behind.
he Fall
