Chapter 2: The Envelope That Had Already Been Opened
Domenico stood in the middle of the banquet hall, chest still heaving, and watched both of them.
Valentina pressed her cheek with one hand.
Marcus pulled himself up from the floor using the edge of the plinth.
Neither of them looked at Domenico.
They were looking at each other.
"Don't," Valentina said quietly to Marcus.
Just that one word.
Domenico turned toward the staircase.
Ruby's three suitcases were still lined up at the top, handles facing out, packed with care.
Too much care.
Like someone had done it slowly, deliberately, knowing exactly how the night would end.
He walked up two steps and stopped.
"Who packed those bags?"
Silence.
He turned back around.
"I asked a question."
Marcus straightened his jacket.
"She packed them herself.
She knew she wasn't welcome here anymore."
"Ruby has lived in this house for eleven years," Domenico said.
"She doesn't pack and wait by the door unless someone told her to."
Valentina's eyes moved to the floor.
That was enough.
Domenico climbed the rest of the stairs and pushed open Ruby's door.
The room was stripped.
Bare mattress.
Empty shelves.
Every photograph removed.
On the windowsill sat one thing they had missed.
A small envelope.
His name written on the front in Ruby's handwriting.
His hands were steady as he picked it up.
But when he turned it over, he saw it had already been opened.
---
What was inside that envelope — and who opened it first?
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The full truth is darker than anyone expected.
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