Chapter 3 - Blood and Betrayal
Natalie stared at the digital photograph of her sister, feeling the entire world spin violently out of control.
Chloe was supposed to be her maid of honor, her best friend, and her closest confidante.
Instead, she had actively orchestrated this absolute nightmare for a share of the stolen millions.
Natalie wiped the hot tears from her face, replacing her crushing heartbreak with a cold, terrifying rage.
She stuffed the burner phone and the financial documents deep into her white silk handbag.
She wiped the smeared mascara from her cheeks and walked purposefully out of the bridal suite.
She descended the grand staircase, scanning the remaining stragglers in the massive foyer for her sister's face.
Chloe was standing near the exit, nervously biting her lip while pretending to comfort their weeping mother.
Natalie marched directly up to Chloe, grabbing her firmly by the wrist and dragging her toward the empty library.
Chloe protested loudly, asking her sister what was wrong and acting completely innocent.
Natalie shoved her sister inside the dark, oak-paneled room and violently locked the door.
She reached into her handbag, pulled out the burner phone, and shoved the illuminated screen directly into Chloe's face.
Chloe gasped in pure terror, all the fake sympathy instantly draining from her pale complexion.
She backed away until her shoulders hit the massive bookshelves, shaking her head in desperate denial.
Natalie demanded to know why her own blood would sell her out to a violent monster like Marcus.
Chloe burst into pathetic tears, screaming that she owed massive gambling debts to dangerous people in the city.
She confessed that Marcus had promised to clear her debts if she helped him access the family trust fund.
Before Natalie could demand more answers, the heavy library door was suddenly kicked open with extreme force.
Raymond stood in the doorway, his police badge still hanging from his neck, holding a serious expression.
He told Natalie she needed to come with him immediately because her life was in imminent danger.
He explained that Marcus was part of a ruthless international money-laundering syndicate that silenced witnesses permanently.
Natalie looked back at her sister in disgust, realizing she could trust absolutely no one in her family.
She walked toward the detective, asking him where they were supposed to go to stay safe.
Raymond promised he had a secure safe house ready, leading her quickly toward his unmarked police cruiser.
He opened the passenger door for her, checking the dark perimeter of the estate with professional caution.
As Natalie climbed into the front seat, she noticed a thick, official document resting on the dashboard.
She picked it up, her blood running completely cold as she read the bold text across the top page.
It was a multi-million dollar life insurance policy taken out on her life just three days ago.
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The listed beneficiary on the policy was not Marcus, nor was it her treacherous sister Chloe.
The sole beneficiary printed at the bottom of the page was Detective Raymond.
