Chapter 5 - The Midnight Breach
The heavy wooden door creaked open, revealing the pitch-black hallway of the servant's quarters.
My heart pounded against my fresh surgical stitches as I stepped over the threshold into my own home.
The air smelled strongly of expensive cigar smoke and cheap spilled wine.
Brooke had clearly been treating the mansion like a frat house since I left for the hospital.
Nora gripped the heavy metal flashlight like a weapon, leading the way toward the grand staircase.
We moved silently across the imported marble floors, avoiding the floorboards we knew would squeak.
A loud snoring sound echoed from the main living room couch.
We peeked around the corner and saw Brooke passed out entirely, clutching an empty bottle of my most expensive vintage wine.
The heavy iron shears were resting on the glass coffee table right next to her dangling hand.
We carefully bypassed the living room and crept up the sweeping, carpeted staircase.
Every step sent a jolt of agonizing pain through my recovering body, but I refused to stop.
We reached the massive master suite and closed the heavy oak doors quietly behind us.
I walked directly toward the walk-in closet, pushing aside Grant’s expensive designer suits with absolute disgust.
Behind a large vanity mirror was the digital wall safe I had installed before we were married.
Grant did not know the combination, as it was tied to the date my late father had started his first company.
I typed the six digits into the glowing keypad with trembling, desperate fingers.
The lock chimed softly, and the heavy steel door popped open.
I reached inside to grab the thick manila envelope containing my most vital legal documents.
My hand met absolutely nothing but cold, empty steel.
Nora shined her flashlight directly into the dark cavity of the safe.
It was completely empty, completely stripped of everything valuable.
My passport, my emergency cash, and the original physical deed were entirely gone.
I felt the air completely leave my lungs as the reality of the situation crashed down on me.
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Suddenly, a loud, obnoxious laugh erupted from the doorway of the bedroom.
Brooke was standing there, holding my manila envelope in one hand and the heavy iron shears in the other.
