Chapter 3: The Locked Room
The power returned seven seconds later.
But those seven seconds changed everything.
Because Adrian had heard it.
Everyone had.
The humming.
Not from the speakers.
Not from the television.
Not from a recording.
From inside the apartment.
Vivian immediately walked toward the hallway.
“Adrian.””
He caught her wrist.
She stopped.
“Where are you going?””
Her eyes moved to his hand.
Then back to his face.
“To check the nursery.””
“You’re afraid.””
“I’m a mother.””
“No.””
His voice was low.
“You’re afraid.””
For once, Vivian had no answer.
The hallway stretched ahead of them.
At the end was the nursery.
A room designed before Lily was born.
Soft gray walls.
White furniture.
Hand-painted stars on the ceiling.
A room Adrian had barely entered in months because work had consumed him.
That realization hurt more than he expected.
He had spent years building a company.
And somehow missed what was happening ten feet away.
Maya carried Lily behind him.
“Stay here,” Adrian said.
The nanny nodded.
Vivian did not.
“I’m coming.””
“No.””
Her expression hardened.
“You don’t get to lock me out of my own daughter’s room.””
Adrian stared at her.
Then he opened the door.
Nothing.
The room was empty.
The curtains moved slightly from the air conditioning.
The bed was made.
The toys were arranged.
Normal.
Too normal.
Lily whispered from behind Maya:
“She hides when Daddy comes.””
Adrian turned.
“Who hides?””
“The lady.””
Vivian stepped backward.
Only one step.
But Adrian noticed.
He walked inside.
The closet door was closed.
He opened it.
Nothing.
Then he saw the floor.
A small scratch near the wall.
Like furniture had been moved.
He pushed the dresser aside.
Behind it was a narrow wooden panel.
A hidden door.
Maya covered her mouth.
Adrian looked at Vivian.
“You knew.””
“No.””
The answer came instantly.
Too instantly.
He touched the panel.
It was locked.
“Who has the key?””
Vivian said nothing.
Adrian turned.
“Who has the key?””
Her face had changed.
The perfect wife.
The elegant socialite.
The woman everyone admired at charity events.
Gone.
“My mother,” she whispered.
Adrian froze.
“Your mother?””
“She installed it.””
“Why?””
Vivian looked at the hidden door.
And for the first time, she looked tired.
Not afraid.
Tired.
“Because this apartment belonged to my family before we bought it.””
Adrian stared.
“You never told me.””
“There were things I didn’t want you to know.””
“What things?””
She looked at Lily.
“Things about me.””
Before Adrian could answer, the doorbell rang.
Everyone jumped.
Nobody was expected.
Adrian checked the security screen.
A woman stood outside the penthouse entrance.
Older.
Silver hair.
Black coat.
Holding a small wooden box.
Vivian went pale.
“Who is that?”” Adrian asked.
She did not respond.
The woman looked directly into the camera.
Then smiled.
Adrian opened the speaker.
“Can I help you?””
The woman’s voice came through.
“Adrian Cross.””
He stiffened.
She knew his name.
“I need to speak with my daughter.””
Vivian closed her eyes.
“No.””
Adrian turned.
“Your daughter?””
The woman looked into the camera again.
“Vivian.””
A pause.
“Tell your husband the truth before the child does.””
Vivian whispered:
“Mother…”
The woman lifted the wooden box.
Inside the camera view.
“Because he deserves to know what happened to Eleanor.””
Adrian felt the air leave the room.
“Who is Eleanor?”” he asked.
Vivian did not answer.
She only stared at the woman outside.
And then Lily spoke.
A tiny voice.
May you like
A terrified voice.
“She’s the lady.””
