"Boss, the manor's electrical system had a brief failure. Backup generator's running, but we might have a few minutes of surveillance gaps."
I wasn't concerned. The manor's security was solid enough. A short outage posed no threat.
We pulled up to the main house. I pushed open the car door, rain hitting my face, washing away some of the day's irritation.
The power was back on inside, everything quiet. I headed straight for the stairs, but noticed light seeping from under the study door.
Something was off.
I walked over and pushed it open—
The moment I opened the door, I froze.
The study's main lights blazed, illuminating a scene on the oak desk—a silver dagger driven deep into the wood, its sapphire pommel catching the cold light. It was the souvenir Noelle had bought in Iceland, always kept on her vanity.
Papers were pinned beneath the blade.
My heart hammered, legs suddenly heavy as lead.
One step. Two steps. I reached the desk and gripped the handle, yanking hard—the cut was deep. How much force had she used?
I set down the dagger and grabbed the papers.
The top page read: Divorce Agreement.
Those words hit like knives straight to the heart. My hands started shaking, barely able to hold the paper. I forced myself to keep reading—
Party A: Noelle Bellucci
Party B: Kholod Morozov
Both parties voluntarily divorce, property division as follows...
At the bottom was her signature—neat and delicate, but carrying unshakable resolve. Dated tonight.
"No..." The sound that escaped my throat was barely human.
I flipped to the second page. Just one line.
"From this day forward, Noelle Bellucci and Kholod Morozov have no relationship whatsoever."
No relationship whatsoever. She wouldn't even keep the Morozov name.
"Noelle..."
I clutched the agreement and bolted from the room, grasping at straws.
"Noelle!"
Stairs, hallway, master bedroom—I nearly smashed through the door.
"Noelle!"
Empty.
The room was vacant. The fire still burned in the fireplace, the bed made with military precision.
In the walk-in closet, all her gowns hung organized by color. The jewelry box on her vanity held every necklace, earring, and bracelet.
