Chapter 3 - The Poisoned Toast
A cold sweat broke out across my neck as I stared at the death certificate.
Tomorrow was the exact day Adrian had planned to take me out on a private yacht excursion.
I quickly snapped photos of the documents with my phone and locked the safe again.
I sent the images to Detective Price through a secure, encrypted messaging app.
My hands were shaking as I walked out to the patio where Adrian and Celeste were relaxing.
The ocean breeze felt suffocating as I sat down on the wicker chair opposite them.
Adrian poured three glasses of expensive red wine from a freshly opened bottle.
He handed one to Celeste, took one for himself, and pushed the darkest glass toward me.
He raised his glass and proposed a toast to our long, beautiful future together.
I noticed that Celeste was watching my hands with intense, unblinking focus.
I brought the glass to my lips, pretending to take a deep sip.
Instead, I let the liquid pool under my tongue without swallowing a single drop.
The taste was distinctly bitter, carrying the metallic trace of a heavy sedative.
I grabbed a napkin, pretending to cough, and spat the wine into the thick cloth.
Adrian frowned, asking if the vintage was too strong for my delicate palate.
I smiled weakly and said I just needed some water from the kitchen.
As I stood up, my phone vibrated in my pocket with a message from Detective Price.
The message warned me to get out of the house immediately because local Bahamian police were not answering their calls.
I turned around to head for the front door, planning my escape route.
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But Adrian was already standing in the hallway, blocking the only exit.
He was holding a damp rag in his right hand, and a strange, cold deadness had replaced his charming smile.
