Chapter 5

Morning sunlight streamed through the massive, two-story windows of the Kensington estate. The bright light illuminated the grand marble staircase and the pristine foyer below.

Audrey stepped out of the master suite. The deadbolt had been unlocked by the staff for the day, though she knew the perimeter security outside remained suffocatingly tight.

She was dressed in a tailored, cream-colored cashmere sweater that hugged her frame softly, paired with a simple, elegant pleated skirt. Her natural brunette hair, free of the neon extensions, fell in soft, glossy waves over her shoulders.

Her face was completely clear of the heavy goth makeup. The clean look showcased her refined, aristocratic features, her high cheekbones, and her clear, intelligent eyes.

As she descended the marble stairs, her low heels clicking softly, two maids polishing the banister stopped dead in their tracks. They stared up at her with open-mouthed shock, their polishing cloths slipping from their hands.

Eleanor Gable, the strict, no-nonsense head housekeeper, stepped out of the formal dining room. The heavy clipboard in her hand dropped a full inch as she registered Audrey's transformed appearance.

Audrey reached the bottom step. She offered Eleanor a polite, subdued smile.

"Good morning, Eleanor," Audrey said quietly.

The housekeeper blinked rapidly in confusion, her mouth opening and closing before she managed a stammered, "Good... good morning, Madam."

Before Eleanor could say anything else, the heavy brass knocker on the front double doors echoed loudly through the cavernous foyer.

Eleanor recovered her composure instantly. She signaled a footman to open the door. Audrey paused near the bottom step, a sudden, cold premonition hitting her stomach.

The heavy oak doors swung open. Jasmin Parsons burst into the foyer, pushing past the uniformed footman with a frantic, highly dramatic energy.

Jasmin was dressed in a flashy, logo-heavy designer outfit. A Gucci belt, a Chanel jacket, and oversized Prada sunglasses. Audrey instantly recognized the items. They were gifts she had purchased for Jasmin in the past timeline, funded by her own trust.

Jasmin spotted Audrey standing near the stairs. She immediately launched into her act. Her face twisted into an expression of exaggerated, tearful concern.

"Audrey! Oh my god!" Jasmin cried out, her heels clicking loudly as she rushed across the marble floor. "Did the monster hurt you last night? I was so worried!"

Audrey stood perfectly still. Her reborn mind analyzed Jasmin's performance with clinical precision. She saw the fake, forced tears at the corners of her eyes. She saw the calculating, greedy gleam hidden just beneath the surface.

Jasmin threw her arms around Audrey, attempting to pull her into a tight, dramatic hug.

A wave of cheap, overpowering floral perfume assaulted Audrey's senses.

The smell acted as an instant, violent trigger. It pulled Audrey right back to the deck of the yacht. She heard the roaring wind. She heard Jasmin's voice laughing on the phone as the mercenaries cornered her.

Audrey felt a surge of pure, violent hatred boil up in her chest. Her hands curled into tight, white-knuckled fists at her sides. Her vision momentarily blurred, the marble foyer replaced by the churning black water. She swayed on her feet, a wave of nausea rising in her throat. It took every ounce of her newfound will to shove the memory down, to lock it away in a mental cage. Her nails dug into her palms, the sharp pain a welcome anchor to the present.

Taking a sharp, deep breath, Audrey forced her hands to relax. She smoothly took a deliberate step backward, breaking Jasmin's embrace before it could fully connect.

Jasmin stumbled slightly forward, her arms grasping empty air. Her fake tears faltered. She looked at Audrey, genuinely confused by the physical rejection. Audrey had always clung to her for comfort.

Jasmin's eyes widened as she finally registered Audrey's appearance. She took in the lack of neon hair, the elegant, understated clothes, and the terrifyingly calm demeanor.

A flash of pure, ugly jealousy crossed Jasmin's face. It was quickly masked by a look of feigned worry.

"Audrey, sweetie," Jasmin said, her voice dripping with fake concern. "Why are you dressed so... boringly? Did he force you to wear that?"

Audrey ignored the insult. Her voice was cool, detached, and utterly flat.

"Why are you here so early in the morning, Jasmin?"

Jasmin recovered her act quickly. She stepped closer, lowering her voice and whispering conspiratorially, looking around for the maids.

"Carl is worried sick about you," Jasmin whispered. "He's waiting for a text from you. He said you didn't answer the burner phone last night."

Audrey's eyes narrowed imperceptibly. She realized exactly what was happening. Jasmin was here as a mole. She intended to provoke Audrey into contacting Carl, knowing full well that Barrett's security would intercept the message and ruin Audrey further.

Audrey casually smoothed the hem of her cream cashmere sweater. Her tone remained perfectly flat.

"I have no interest in talking to Carl," Audrey stated.

Jasmin's jaw dropped slightly. The script she had carefully prepared was entirely derailed by Audrey's calm, absolute dismissal of her supposed true love.

"But... but you love him!" Jasmin stammered.

Jasmin tried a different tactic. Her eyes darted around the luxurious foyer, looking for a distraction. Her gaze landed on Audrey's left wrist.

She reached out, grabbing Audrey's hand. Her eyes lit up with genuine, unadulterated greed as she stared at the limited-edition, multi-million dollar diamond bracelet Audrey had put on that morning.

"Oh my god, Audrey," Jasmin gasped dramatically, her thumb rubbing over the massive stones. "This bracelet is stunning! It would perfectly match my outfit for the gala this weekend."

The implication was clear. She expected Audrey to take it off and hand it over, just like always.

Audrey looked down at Jasmin's grasping, greedy fingers. A slow, chilling smile spread across her face as the perfect plan formed in her mind.