Hallie landed hard on the edge of the wide balcony. The cold night wind whipped around her.
She reached out to push the heavy sliding glass door. Her hand went straight through the thick glass. She stumbled forward into the dark living room.
The main lights were off. A few warm wall lamps glowed.
A heavy, expensive perfume hung in the air. It was sweet and sickening. It was not her scent.
Hallie heard a soft crying sound coming from the master bedroom. Her invisible heart hammered against her ribs.
She walked down the hall. She stepped right through the solid mahogany door.
The sight inside made her stomach drop.
Aidan's custom suit jacket was thrown on the floor. He sat on the edge of their large bed.
He held a small, shaking woman tightly against his chest.
It was Cecile. Her sister.
Cecile was wearing Hallie's favorite burgundy silk pajamas. The fabric slipped off her pale shoulder.
Cecile buried her face in Aidan's shirt. She sobbed loudly. Her hands gripped his waist.
Aidan rubbed his large hand up and down Cecile's back. His touch was slow and gentle. Hallie had never felt that touch.
"Do not be afraid," Aidan said. His voice was low and soft. "I promise that crazy woman will never bother you again."
Cecile lifted her head. Her eyes were red and wet. She bit her lower lip.
"She loves you so much," Cecile whispered. "That is why she faked that car crash. She just wanted to scare us."
Hallie's hands curled into fists. Her nails dug into her palms, but she felt nothing. Cecile was lying.
Aidan let out a harsh breath. "She does not know what love is. She only loves the Monroe title and the blank checks."
He reached up and wiped a tear from Cecile's cheek. "I am sick of her hysteria. I will have the lawyers enforce the divorce tomorrow."
Cecile rested her cheek against his palm. She looked like a frightened child.
But as Aidan looked away, the corner of Cecile's mouth twitched. A small, sharp smirk appeared on her lips.
It was a look of pure victory.
The truth hit Hallie like a physical punch to the throat. Cecile was not a victim. Cecile was the predator.
Hallie screamed. She lunged forward. She grabbed the collar of the burgundy pajamas and pulled.
Her hands passed through the silk. She grabbed at Cecile's hair. Her fingers caught nothing but empty air.
Cecile suddenly shivered. She pressed closer to Aidan.
"Aidan, it feels cold in here," Cecile whispered.
Aidan wrapped his arms completely around her. He glared at the empty space near the window.
"It is just the bad energy she left behind in this place," Aidan said coldly.
Hallie stopped moving. Her arms dropped to her sides. She stared at the man she had loved for three years.
She remembered burning her hand making him soup, and him walking right past her. Now, Cecile shed fake tears, and he treated her like glass.
Aidan rubbed his temples. He looked down at Cecile.
"Go change your clothes," Aidan said. "We are not staying in this disgusting place tonight."
Cecile nodded quickly. She leaned up and kissed his jaw.
Hallie watched the kiss. The last warm feeling she had for Aidan turned to ash.
