Chapter 2 - The Sound of Glass Breaking
The wind howled softly as I glided down the stone staircase toward the main terrace, my heels clicking rhythmically against the slate tiles. The terrace overlooked the expansive infinity pool that seemed to spill directly into the dark, churning horizon of the ocean. Lanterns flickered along the perimeter, casting long, dancing shadows across the white linen tables. Marcus stood quietly near the entrance, his hands folded behind his back, a silent sentinel waiting for my command.
"Are they here?" I asked, my voice carrying a quiet, lethal calm.
"They arrived ten minutes ago, Mrs. Whitmore," Marcus replied, his eyes steady. "Mr. Whitmore looked at the invitation three times before turning completely pale. They assumed it was a welcome gift from the resort management. They are currently waiting by the cliffside railing, expecting the general manager."
"Let them wait a little longer," I murmured, stepping into the warm night air and inhaling the scent of salt and blooming jasmine.
Down on the private path leading from the Lighthouse House, two figures emerged from the shadows. Even in the dim light, I could recognize Daniel’s tailored linen blazer and the unmistakable sway of Serena’s stride. She was wearing a cream-colored backless dress that cost more than a month of average rent, her blonde hair catching the amber glow of the lanterns. She was laughing, her hand resting lazily on the crook of Daniel’s arm, completely unaware that the paradise beneath her feet was about to swallow them whole.
As they stepped onto the illuminated terrace, expecting a reception committee of obsequious resort staff, they stopped dead in their tracks.
The terrace was entirely empty, save for a single table set for three, illuminated by a towering candelabra. And sitting at the head of that table, framed by the endless expanse of the dark sea, was me.
Daniel froze. His jaw went slack, the color draining so fast from his face that he looked like a ghost under the moonlight. He blinked once, twice, as if his brain refused to process the physical reality standing ten feet in front of him.
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"Ava?" his voice cracked, the word tearing out of his throat in a ragged, disbelieving whisper. "What... what are you doing here? How did you get on this island?"
Serena dropped her hand from his arm, her eyes darting between Daniel’s terrified expression and my calm, unmoving posture. "Dani, who is this?" she hissed, her voice sharp with sudden panic. "Is this his wife? You said she was in Ohio—you said she was miles away!"
