CHAPTER 3: A SECRET WORTH KILLING FOR

Three days later.

Sophia sat inside a detention cell awaiting formal charges.

Meanwhile Ethan struggled to understand what had happened.

His mind kept returning to one question.

Why?

Why would Sophia want him dead?

Nothing made sense.

Until Detective Cole requested a private meeting.

The detective placed a thick file on Ethan's desk.

"We found something."

Ethan looked up.

"What?"

"A financial investigation."

The detective opened the folder.

Inside were photographs.

Bank records.

Contracts.

Property transfers.

Ethan's eyes widened.

Nearly every document contained Sophia's signature.

"What is this?"

The detective leaned forward.

"Over the past two years, Sophia secretly moved millions through shell companies."

Ethan stared at the papers.

Impossible.

Sophia had always claimed she hated discussing business.

Yet these documents revealed a completely different person.

A highly organized fraudster.

Then Ethan noticed another name appearing repeatedly.

Victor Kane.

His expression darkened.

Victor had once been Ethan's closest friend.

Years ago they built businesses together.

Until Victor disappeared after stealing company funds.

Nobody had heard from him since.

Detective Cole nodded.

"We located him."

"Where?"

"He was hiding overseas."

The detective slid another photo across the table.

Ethan felt his stomach twist.

Victor and Sophia stood together on a beach.

Holding hands.

Kissing.

The photograph had been taken six months earlier.

The realization hit like a truck.

Sophia never loved him.

She loved Victor.

The wedding had been part of a plan.

Marry Ethan.

Gain legal access to his fortune.

Then eliminate him.

Everything would pass to his wife.

Sophia.

And eventually to Victor.

A perfect crime.

Or so they believed.

Ethan leaned back in shock.

Years of memories suddenly looked different.

Every smile.

Every kiss.

Every promise.

All lies.

But Detective Cole wasn't finished.

"We also discovered why Lily risked everything to stop the poisoning."

Ethan frowned.

"What do you mean?"

The detective handed him another file.

Inside was a birth certificate.

Ethan looked at the names.

Then froze.

His heart nearly stopped.

Because according to the document...

Lily Carter wasn't a stranger.

She was family.