Chapter 6 - The Trap is Set
"You killed her," Sarah said, backing away until she hit the desk. Her heart was hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird.
"I defended our future," Michael corrected smoothly, walking toward her with predatory grace. "Chloe was insane, Sarah. When I found out you had a twin, I tracked her down, hoping to reunite you. Give you a beautiful wedding gift. But the facility warned me. She suffered from severe borderline personality disorder and violent delusions. She hated you for living the life she thought she deserved."
"So you locked her in a basement?!" Sarah screamed.
"I contained a threat!" Michael snapped, his mask slipping for a fraction of a second before he smoothed it back over. "She escaped last night. She ambushed me in the bridal suite while you were with the kids. She was wearing that dress. She had a knife. She was going to kill you, take your place at the altar, and wait for me to notice."
"And you strangled her and dumped her in the tank," Sarah said, disgusted. "Instead of calling the police."
"If I called the police, the scandal would ruin the resort's IPO next week. Our future, Sarah. Our financial security. I did it for us." He reached out, his hand hovering near her cheek. "I protected our family."
"You're a monster," she whispered, slapping his hand away.
Michael's eyes darkened. The charm completely vanished, replaced by something cold and reptilian. "I gave you everything. And just like your sister, you are utterly ungrateful. I can't let you leave this room, Sarah. If you tell the cops about this journal, I lose everything."
May you like
He lunged for her. Sarah grabbed the heavy metal lamp off the desk and swung it with all her might. It connected with the side of Michael's head with a sickening crunch. He stumbled backward, blood pouring from his temple.
Sarah didn't hesitate. She bolted past him, unlocking the door and sprinting out onto the metal catwalk overlooking the massive, glowing blue tanks.
