THE PERFECT REVENGE

ainst the hardwood floor was the only indication he had moved at all. His breath caught, shallow and sharp, as he watched Jonathan clu

in them spider-webbed and unnaturally red, pleading wordlessly for help. The violent spasms that wracked his father's body

barely registered it. Time fractured, seconds stretching into eternity as his

lood filled the air, mingling with the rich aroma of the untouched roast on his plate, turning his stomach. His gaze flicked to his siblings-Vic

kled from the corner of Jonathan's mouth, a vivid red trail that felt more real than anything else in the room.

heart in his ears. He felt detached, as if watching the scene through a pane of g

is body trembling. The reality of what he had just witnessed slammed into him l

ng in panicked gasps. Her voice cracked when the operator answered. "My

t through the chaos. "Ma'am, I need yo

he blood pooling beneath his face soaking into the crisp white tableclo

e you able to perform CP

hed, paralyzed, as his brother pressed his hands against their father's chest, counting aloud, his voice a mix of desper

g red and blue lights filled the windows. Aurora dropped the phone and stumbled toward t

knelt beside him, checking for a pulse while her partner prepared equipment. "No puls

medic replaced him. The other paramedic attached a defibrillator to

r voice frantic. "Is he...

id firmly but not unkindly. She turne

eneath her. Victor caught her, guiding her to a ch

r gloves and looked up. "

erating in his chest, but the room felt distant, muffled, as though he were underwater. His father's lifeless body, slumped

on the paramedics as though willing them to change their verdict. Victor stood like a statue, his broad shoulders tense, his jaw

voices and methodical movements felt like background noise. But the sound of

ng his attention to a tall officer standing

nodding slo

kind. "We're here to investigate the circumstances of

lf to speak. "He was fine-laughing, talking-and then... he just started choking. Blood came out o

tes. "Did your father eat or d

wine, the plate of roasted lamb he had barely touched. The moment J

t admitted, his voice

h, the chair where Jonathan had been sitting now empty. Her gaze lingered on t

his voice tight. "

ng off the dining room with yellow tape. "We're going to need everyone

ng colder, heavier. The officers, now joined by a detective in plain clothes, beg

stigation. First, I need everyone to stay calm.

mediately. Harris's eyes were sharp, missing nothing as they swept across the dining table, t

ne steady but probing. "But I need to ask some questions while

* The word felt loaded, heavy with i

son, correct? Did you notice anything odd about your fathe

to steady his voice. "No, he

hing for cracks in August's composure. "What about durin

way he'd laughed at a joke, reached for his wine, then froze mid-sentence, his

ying the scene over and over. The blood. The scratch marks on his father's neck. The wa

nspoken accusations. For the first time, August wondere