Chapter 5

At eight o'clock the next morning, Clara stood at the marble kitchen island.

She took a sip of her double espresso, her eyes scanning the stock market futures on her iPad.

The front door keypad beeped.

A loud commotion spilled into the entryway. Heavy boots stomped against the floorboards.

Clara set her mug down. She walked out of the kitchen.

Chadwick was standing in the foyer. Behind him stood twelve men in full white hazmat suits.

They were hauling heavy industrial vacuums and massive HEPA air purifiers into the apartment.

"What the hell is this?" Clara asked, her voice cutting through the noise.

Chadwick yanked his tie loose. He looked exhausted.

"Autumn had a mild allergic reaction last night. It caused respiratory spasms," Chadwick said, waving a hand dismissively. "We are doing a deep, hypoallergenic sweep of the entire penthouse."

The lead cleaner stepped forward holding a clipboard.

"Ma'am, we'll need to bag and dispose of all wool rugs, fabric upholstery, and plush toys," the man said.

Clara's blood ran cold.

Two days earlier, Chadwick had already sent Snowball to a distant pet boarding facility upstate, claiming the dog's dander was a 'health risk.' Leo had not stopped asking when his best friend would come home. Clara had bitten her tongue then, choosing her battles. But this - erasing every trace of comfort from her son's life - was a step too far.

She looked down the hall. Two men in white suits were already walking toward Leo's bedroom carrying thick black garbage bags.

Leo's favorite stuffed bear - the one he slept with every single night - was in there.

Clara moved.

She sprinted down the hall and planted herself directly in the doorway of her son's room.

"Back up," Clara snarled at the cleaners. "Do not take another step."

Chadwick jogged down the hall. He reached out to grab her arm.

"Clara, stop making a scene. It's for the greater good," Chadwick said.

Clara slapped his hand away. The smack echoed loudly in the hall.

"You are not throwing away my son's comfort items because a guest has the sniffles," Clara said. Her chest heaved.

Chadwick looked at the absolute murder in his wife's eyes.

He froze. Reality seemed to crash down on him. He needed Clara's family board votes for the upcoming quarterly meeting. He couldn't push her over the edge. Not yet.

Chadwick cleared his throat and straightened his tie. He turned to the cleaners.

"Just do the guest wing for now," Chadwick ordered.

He turned back to Clara. He forced a soft, apologetic smile onto his face. He reached out to touch her shoulder, but she stepped back.

"I'm sorry. I overreacted," Chadwick said smoothly. "To make it up to you... I'm clearing my schedule next week. Three days. Just the three of us. We'll take Leo to Disney World in Orlando."

Clara stared at him.

"I'll book the VIP tour guide. No lines. Just me, you, and Leo," Chadwick promised. He pulled out his phone and actually dialed his assistant right in front of her to make the arrangements.

Clara felt nothing but cold suspicion. But she thought of Leo. He had been begging for a trip with his father for a year.

She gave a single, stiff nod.

Chadwick let out a loud breath of relief.

Down the hall, the guest room door clicked open.

Dorcas stepped out holding a glass of water. She had clearly been listening.

Her eyes were dark, fixed on Chadwick's back.

Dorcas let out two weak, pathetic coughs.

Chadwick's head immediately snapped toward the sound. His body physically leaned in Dorcas's direction, but he caught Clara watching him and forced his feet to stay planted.

Clara saw the entire exchange.

She picked up her briefcase, adjusted her blazer, and walked out the front door.