Chapter 4 Web of obsession

The air in the Larkson penthouse was colder now-not from the weather, but from the lies layered like dust over every surface. Veronica sat on the edge of the velvet couch, Daniel's empty crib haunting her from across the room.

Kelvin hadn't said a word since the recording.

"Is it true?" she finally whispered. "Is the baby really for fred?"

Kelvin's face was carved from stone. "No,the But Fred wants you to believe it. Because if you believe the child is his, he controls you. The timing, Veronica... he's weaponizing your doubt."

But the truth felt elusive-just out of reach.

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Jane's Game

Elsewhere, Jane adjusted her crimson lipstick in the mirror of a downtown penthouse, the city glittering like a web behind her. A birthday gift wrapped in sleek black ribbon sat beside her-a custom Omega watch engraved: "To the man who hides behind time. –Jane".

Kelvin never opened it.

She sent flowers next. A leather-bound first edition of The Art of War. Even a private violin performance arranged outside his office window.

Each offering was ignored.

"You'll come around," she muttered to herself, watching a surveillance feed of Kelvin's apartment. "They always do."

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Enter Amara

Weeks passed. Then came Amara-charming, sly, and introduced as an old friend of Kelvin's from university. She and Veronica met at a charity brunch Daniella invited them to.

"He's not what you think," Amara whispered over mimosas. "Kelvin wears masks. You only see the one he wants you to."

Veronica's brow furrowed. "And how would you know?"

"I've seen what he does when no one's watching. Ask him about the charity fund in Prague. Or the intern who disappeared."

Veronica's gut twisted. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying Fred might not be the only monster you married into."

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Daniella's Betrayal

Daniella stopped by the next morning-tea, croissants, and her usual overly sweet smile.

"You're not yourself, V," she said. "You've lost your edge."

Veronica sipped her tea, watching Daniella too closely now.Daniella who was Veronica's friend was also secretly developing affectionate feelings for kelvin.out of jealousy she begins to manipulate lies.

"Kelvin doesn't deserve your loyalty," Daniella continued. "You've done everything for him, and he gives you scraps of truth. Just like Fred."

"You never liked Fred either," Veronica said, voice edged.

"No," Daniella admitted. "But Fred... he loved you in his own way. Kelvin doesn't know how. He only knows how to use."

Veronica set the tea down. "Why do you care?"

Daniella hesitated a beat too long. "Because you deserve better."

But Veronica saw it now-the way Daniella looked when Kelvin's name was mentioned. Longing. Resentment. Something deeper.

"You love him," Veronica said softly.

Daniella's eyes flinched. "I did. Once. Until I realized he only ever had eyes for you."

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Fred's Next Move

Fred, hidden in a villa outside the city, watched the seeds of discord take root.

"She's unraveling," he told Jane over encrypted comms. "Just a little more pressure and she'll walk away from Kelvin on her own."

"What about the baby?" Jane asked.

Fred smirked. "He'll bring her back to me. He's the hook. And once she's mine again-publicly-it's over for Kelvin."

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Veronica's Doubt

That night, Veronica stood over Daniel's empty crib, the USB of the doctored footage in one hand, and Amara's "evidence" in the other.

Could they all be lying?

Could anyone be telling the truth?

Then her phone buzzed. An unknown number. One line:

> "There's one more file you haven't seen. Room 512. Prague. The girl. Ask Kelvin. If he lies, you'll know."

Veronica's fingers tightened around the phone. Enough. Tomorrow, she would confront him.

Not as a lover. Not as a victim.

As a mother. A threat. A storm.

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