Chapter 10 Threads of Doubt

Elsa's pacing quickened, her steps echoing in the silence of her room. The ornate furniture and grand decor now felt suffocating, as though mocking her for being blind to the truth. She pressed her palms to her temples, trying to silence the storm of questions raging in her mind.

How could I not have noticed? How could I have been so naive?

The timeline haunted her: signing the document the night before the wedding, her parents' tragic death the very next day, and Liam's sudden coldness right after. It all fit together too perfectly. Yet, her heart clung to a fragile hope.

Liam couldn't have done this. He loved my parents. He treated them like his own. He... he confided in my mother more than anyone else. How could he possibly harm them?

But then, why had he needed that document signed so urgently? Why had his demeanor shifted so drastically the moment their marriage was sealed and her parents were gone?

Elsa collapsed onto the edge of the bed, her hands trembling. "No, no, no," she whispered to herself, as though repeating it enough times would make it true. She didn't want to believe Liam was capable of such cruelty. But the pieces of the puzzle refused to align any other way.

Her mind drifted back to the day of the wedding. Her father had looked so proud, his broad smile and gleaming eyes filled with joy as he walked her down the aisle. Her mother had fussed over her veil, whispering words of love and excitement. It had been perfect-until the devastating news came the next morning.

The car crash.

She clenched her fists at the memory of the police report. It had been deemed an accident-no signs of foul play. But now, with everything she'd uncovered, Elsa couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story.

"What if it wasn't an accident?" she murmured aloud. The thought chilled her to the bone.

Her eyes darted to the wedding photo hanging on the wall. Liam's smile in the picture seemed so genuine, so full of love. She remembered how he'd held her hand that day, promising to cherish her forever.

Was it all a lie?

A knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts.

"Madam?" It was one of the maids-Nina, the one who had been slightly kinder than the rest.

"Yes?" Elsa's voice was hoarse, barely audible.

"Dinner is ready, ma'am. Should I bring it up to you?"

"No, I'll come down," Elsa replied, though she had no appetite. She couldn't sit in this room any longer, drowning in her thoughts.

As she descended the staircase, she heard faint voices coming from Liam's study. She paused, her hand gripping the banister. The door was slightly ajar, and she could see the glow of the fireplace casting shadows across the room.

"...ensure there are no loose ends," Liam's voice was calm, calculated.

"Yes, sir," another voice replied. "Everything has been handled."

Elsa's heart pounded in her chest. She couldn't make out the rest of the conversation, but those words alone sent a wave of nausea through her. What was he talking about? What loose ends?

She took a step closer, her breath shallow as she strained to hear more.

"Her suspicions don't matter," Liam said, his tone icy. "She'll believe what I want her to believe. She's too fragile to dig any deeper."

Elsa stumbled back, her vision swimming. Her foot brushed against a loose floorboard, and the creak echoed down the hallway.

The voices stopped.

"Who's there?" Liam's sharp voice called out.

Elsa froze, her heart hammering in her chest. For a moment, she considered running back to her room, but she knew it would only arouse more suspicion. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward and appeared in the doorway.

"It's me," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Liam's eyes narrowed for a split second before softening. "Elsa, what are you doing here? I thought you were resting."

"I... I was coming down for dinner and heard voices," she said, glancing at the man standing beside him. He was tall and imposing, his expression unreadable.

"This is Mr. Carter," Liam said smoothly. "He handles some of my business affairs."

Mr. Carter gave a polite nod but said nothing.

"Is everything alright?" Liam asked, stepping closer to her. His concern seemed genuine, but Elsa couldn't shake the unease curling in her stomach.

"I'm fine," she lied, forcing a smile. "I'll just head to the dining room."

"Good," Liam said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You need to eat."

As Elsa walked away, she felt his eyes on her back, and a chill ran down her spine. She had to find out the truth.

No matter what it takes.