Chapter 7 - THE SECRET BENEATH THE FOUNDATION
The bridal suite felt colder now, as if the dark air rising from the opened floor cavity were poisoning the luxurious warmth of the room. Anna remained crouched by the foot of the mahogany bed, her hands clutching her apron, unable to look away from the terrifying dynamic unfolding between the three members of the Vance family.
Adrian stood up slowly, his tall frame blocking the sunlight streaming through the stained-glass window. His shadow fell dark and heavy across Bianca, who was pressed against the doorframe of the suite hallway.
"Adrian, please..." Bianca whimpered, her former confidence completely shattered. "You have to listen to me. She’s sick. She’s been living in the abandoned wine cellars... she’s trying to ruin our family!"
"Shut up, Bianca," Adrian said, his voice dropping into a low, murderous tone that made Anna shudder.
He didn't take his eyes off his sister as he reached down, offering his hand to Evelyn. Evelyn took it, her frail weight leaning heavily against his side as she pulled herself up onto her feet. The ruined, dirty train of her wedding dress dragged along the oak floor, leaving a faint trail of gray dust across the polished wood.
"Three years ago," Adrian said, stepping toward Bianca, "you brought me a glass of whiskey in this very room at eight in the morning. You told me you saw Evelyn get into a black car at the main gate. You handed me a printed note saying she didn't love me."
Bianca swallowed hard, her throat dry, her eyes darting toward the stairs behind her. "It... it was true! That’s what I saw!"
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"I wrote no note," Evelyn’s raspy voice echoed through the room. She spoke slowly, every word requiring immense physical effort, but her voice was steady, filled with three years of concentrated truth. "You came into this room while I was putting on my veil, Bianca. You offered me water. It smelled like almond."
Anna gasped softly from the corner of the room.
