Elena had been meant to poison me.
Then Julian planned to poison Elena and stage her suicide.
The mistress had never been replacing me.
She had been standing in line behind me.
For three days, my home became a crime scene.
Technicians moved through every room. Floorboards were photographed. Devices were seized. The silk robe was taken as evidence after traces of the drug were found in its pocket.
That detail disturbed me more than I expected.
Julian had hidden the bottle there.
He wanted Elena to wear my robe while killing me.
Some twisted final insult.
As if he intended to erase me before my heart even stopped.
On the fourth night, I sat alone on the back terrace.
The house felt hollow.
Adrian approached carrying two cups of coffee. He set one near me and remained standing until I gestured toward the empty chair.
