I stood by the door, a damp washcloth in my hand. Inside, Mia was putting on the performance of a lifetime, hunched over the toilet, her small body shaking.
"For God's sake, Hannah," Axel sighed, checking his Rolex for the third time in two minutes. He stood in the hallway. "Can't the nanny handle this? We have to be at the venue in an hour. The investors are arriving early."
"She's sick, Axel," I said, keeping my voice low but firm. "She's burning up. I can't just leave her with a stranger. Not after... everything."
Axel ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair, his jaw tightening. "I understand that, but tonight is the merger. The biggest night of our lives. I need you by my side. We need to present a united front to the board."
"And Jasmine... she’s worked herself to the bone preparing this anniversary party. She did it for us. For you. You’re ruining it."
"She is my sister, Axel," I said, letting a wobble enter my voice. "She’s the only family I have left. If I leave her when she’s terrified and sick, what kind of person does that make me?"
Axel groaned, looking at the ceiling as if praying for patience. "I’m sorry. I am. I’m just... I’m worried about the clients. The Rossi assets are the key to this deal, Hannah. If we don't secure them tonight..."
"Go ahead without me," I said. "I’ll stay here until she falls asleep. I can review the final merger documents here and send them over digitally. I’ll sign everything. I promise. I’ll make it to the party before the speeches start. You’ll have them within the hour."
Relief washed over his face. He didn't care about me. He didn't care about Mia. He cared about the signature that would give him control of my father's legacy.
"Fine," he said, leaning down to peck me on the cheek. His lips felt cold. "Make sure you do. And don't be late. I love you."
He turned and walked down the grand staircase. I waited a beat, then followed silently to the landing, staying in the shadows.
Jasmine was waiting for him in the foyer. She looked stunning in a red dress that was cut dangerously low—a dress she had bought with my money.
"Is she coming?" Jasmine whispered, adjusting Axel's lapel.
"She's staying with the brat," Axel scoffed. "But she's sending the papers. That's all that matters."
Jasmine giggled, a sound like breaking glass. "Good. Once we have the merger secured... once the money is ours... maybe we don't need to wait for the divorce?"
She traced a finger down his chest. "Maybe she has an accident? Like the one on the cliff, but... successful this time? We could kill her, really. Then we’d have it all."
Axel didn't recoil. He didn't scold her. He just laughed—a low, dark sound. "Let's get the signature first, Jas. Then... we'll see."
They walked out the front door, arm in arm, into the waiting limousine. As soon as the heavy oak door clicked shut, the silence of the house rushed back in.
"Are they gone?"
I turned. Mia was standing in the bathroom doorway, perfectly healthy, wiping a smudge of fake sweat from her forehead. Her eyes were bright with fear, but also with determination.
"Yes," I said, the trembling finally taking over my hands. "They're gone. Let’s go.”
We didn't take much—just the essentials, our passports, and the hard drive containing the evidence. I left my wedding ring on the nightstand, right next to the empty velvet box where the anniversary necklace should have been.
A black SUV was waiting at the service entrance, arranged by Professor Smith.
Forty minutes later, we were at a private airfield on the outskirts of the city. The sun was setting, painting the sky in bruises of purple and orange. A small jet sat on the tarmac, its engines already humming.
I helped Mia up the steps, her hand gripping mine tightly. Once she was settled in a seat with a blanket, I pulled out my phone.
I dialed Axel’s number. He answered on the second ring. background noise of clinking glasses and soft jazz filtered through the line.
"Hannah?" he said, sounding impatient. "Where are you? The investors are asking. Did you send the papers?"
"I did," I said, looking out the window as the pilot gave the thumbs up.
"Finally," he breathed. "And you? Are you on your way?"
"I'm afraid not," I said, keeping my voice light. "Mia... she got worse. We had to go to the hospital. They're admitting her for observation."
"What?" Axel snapped. "You're joking. You're missing the anniversary? Jasmine has a lot of things for us.”
"Oh, don't worry about that," I said, a dark smile curling my lips. "I sent a surprise for that, too. I asked the AV technician to play a video for me. It's... a very special montage, and a message. I think the board of directors will find it very illuminating."
"A surprise?" Axel sounded confused, his arrogance blinding him to the edge in my voice. "Well... alright. That's thoughtful of you, I suppose. But you really should be here."
"I know," I said. The plane began to taxi. "But I sent the gift. You have the papers. You have the video. You have everything you deserve, Axel. Be happy without me."
I hung up and dropped the phone into a glass of champagne the stewardess had left on the table.
As the plane lifted off the ground, leaving the earth behind, I imagined the scene that was about to unfold.
