Chapter 11 - PRESTON’S CONFESSION
They found Preston before midnight.
The warehouse was empty except for one chair, one broken phone, and enough blood to make Mara’s stomach twist.
Luca’s men followed a trail through the rear loading area.
Preston had managed to free one hand.
He crawled almost two hundred yards before collapsing behind a stack of pallets.
He was alive.
At the hospital, Mara waited until the doctor said he was stable.
Then she entered his room.
Preston opened his eyes.
He looked at her.
“Mara.”
She remained near the door.
“Who did this?”
He swallowed.
“Bianca’s people.”
“Daniel said Bianca shot him.”
Preston closed his eyes.
“I believe it.”
“Where is Daniel?”
“I don’t know.”
“What about the video?”
Preston’s eyes opened.
Mara knew immediately.
“You have it.”
He looked away.
“Preston.”
“I had it.”
“Where?”
“Safe.”
“What safe?”
He shook his head.
“They made me tell them.”
Mara’s anger rose.
“You gave it to them?”
“I gave them a location.”
“What location?”
“A storage unit.”
“Is the video there?”
Preston looked at her.
“No.”
Mara froze.
“Then what is?”
“Copies of Charles’ financial records.”
Despite herself, she almost smiled.
“You lied to them.”
“For once.”
She crossed her arms.
“Where is the video?”
Preston’s eyes filled with shame.
“I need to explain something first.”
“No.”
“Mara.”
“No more explanations.”
“You deserve to know.”
“I deserved the truth three years ago.”
“Yes.”
The word silenced her.
Preston looked at the ceiling.
“I loved you.”
Mara said nothing.
“I still did when I married Bianca.”
“Don’t.”
“I’m not asking you to forgive me.”
“Good.”
“Charles came to me after Eleanor confronted him.”
Preston took a breath.
“He showed me documents saying your mother had stolen campaign funds.”
“Fake?”
“Yes.”
“He said if I stayed with you, he would prosecute Eleanor.”
Mara’s jaw tightened.
“She was already dying.”
“I didn’t know why.”
“So you divorced me.”
“He promised your mother would receive treatment.”
Mara stared at him.
“And Bianca?”
“She wanted me.”
His voice carried disgust.
“Charles wanted my family’s real estate connections.”
“So everyone got something.”
“Except you.”
Mara laughed bitterly.
“Correct.”
Preston’s eyes filled.
“The divorce transfers were my idea.”
She froze.
“I moved the assets because Charles said he would protect them until the scandal ended.”
“You believed him?”
“At first.”
“And after you learned he lied?”
“I was already trapped.”
Mara stepped closer.
“You watched me work in your house.”
“I tried to get you out.”
“When?”
“I offered you money twice.”
“You offered me envelopes through Bianca.”
“I couldn’t speak to you privately.”
“You could have told the truth.”
“I was afraid.”
Mara’s voice dropped.
“So was I.”
He flinched.
“The difference is I didn’t sell you.”
Preston closed his eyes.
Tears slipped down his face.
For a moment Mara felt pity.
Then she remembered cold floors.
Fourteen-hour shifts.
Her mother dying while bills piled up.
Pity disappeared.
“Where is the video?”
Preston reached toward the water cup.
“Do you remember our wedding?”
Mara stared.
“Yes.”
“The gift you gave me.”
Her face changed.
“The watch?”
“The box.”
“What about it?”
“The wooden box has a false bottom.”
Mara’s heart accelerated.
“You kept it?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“In my office.”
“At the mansion?”
“Yes.”
She stepped back.
“Bianca will find it.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Preston gave the faintest smile.
“Because Bianca has never once touched anything you gave me.”
Mara turned toward the door.
Preston called after her.
“Mara.”
She stopped.
“I’m sorry.”
She did not turn around.
“For which part?”
He had no answer.
Mara opened the door.
Luca was waiting outside.
He read her face.
“You found it.”
She nodded.
“Inside the mansion.”
Luca sighed.
“Of course it is.”
For the first time that night, Mara almost laughed.
Then her phone vibrated.
A video message appeared.
Bianca filled the screen.
Behind her stood Mara’s old bedroom.
Bianca smiled.
“Looking for something?”
May you like
She lifted the wooden wedding box.
And dropped it into the fireplace.
