Chapter 36
Victoria’s hands trembled as she placed the cider bottle on the table, her mind spiraling out of control. She could feel her pulse pounding in her ears, the image of the lifeless hand in the cellar seared into her memory. She had to do something—anything—to process the chaos in her mind.
Zayden’s voice cut through her thoughts. “You look pale,” he said, his brow furrowed as he studied her face. “Are you alright?”
Victoria forced a shaky smile, gripping the edge of the table for support. “I’m fine,” she replied, her voice barely steady. “Just a little lightheaded.”
Zayden tilted his head, his concern evident. “You sure? You don’t look fine.”
“I’m fine,” she said again, this time a bit firmer. “Just… tired. Long day.”
As Zayden turned back toward the kitchen to check on the food, Victoria slipped her phone out of her clutch, her fingers moving rapidly over the screen as she texted Elena.
“Elena, call the police. Now. There’s a body in Zayden’s cellar. I’m serious.”
She hit send, her heart racing as she slipped the phone back into her clutch. Zayden didn’t seem to notice—or if he did, he was doing an excellent job pretending. Did he know? Did he forget? The questions swirled in her mind, making it nearly impossible to think straight.
The silence in the room grew heavier by the second, and Zayden finally broke it with a question. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re unusually quiet.”
“I’m fine,” Victoria repeated, her voice clipped. “I just… I think I need some water.”
Before Zayden could respond, a loud, urgent knock echoed through the house, shattering the tense atmosphere.
Both of them turned toward the door. Zayden frowned, clearly not expecting anyone. “Stay here,” he said, moving toward the entrance.
Victoria’s hands clenched into fists as she watched him open the door, revealing two uniformed police officers standing on the porch. Their expressions were grim and professional.
“Zayden Huntington?” one of them asked.
Zayden’s confusion was evident. “Yes? Can I help you?”
“You’re under arrest,” the officer said, stepping forward. Before Zayden could react, the officer grabbed his wrist, snapping a pair of handcuffs around it. “You have the right to remain silent—”
“What the hell is going on?!” Zayden exclaimed, his voice rising as he struggled against the officer’s grip. “This has to be a mistake!”
The second officer stepped into the house, scanning the room before his eyes landed on Victoria. “Ms. Cross?” he asked gently, his tone shifting to one of concern.
Victoria nodded, her lips trembling as tears began to well up in her eyes. “I—yes, I’m Victoria Cross.”
“Are you alright?” the officer asked, stepping closer. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m… I’m fine,” she stammered, the words feeling hollow as they left her lips. She felt the tears spill over, hot and fast, as she pointed toward the cellar door. “Downstairs. There’s… there’s a body.”
Zayden’s head snapped toward her, his expression a mix of shock and betrayal. “Victoria, what are you talking about?” he demanded. “What body?”
The officers exchanged a glance before one of them nodded. “Check the cellar,” he instructed his partner, who immediately headed toward the door.
Zayden’s voice grew louder, more desperate. “This is insane! I don’t know what she’s talking about! There’s no body here!”
Victoria shook her head, her tears falling freely now. “I saw it,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “I tripped over it. It’s down there.”
The officer returned moments later, his face pale as he emerged from the cellar. He looked at his partner, his voice steady but grim. “It’s him. Roger Steele.”
Victoria gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. The HR manager. The man who had gone missing. His lifeless form now confirmed what she had dreaded most.
“What?” Zayden’s voice was a mixture of confusion and anger. “Roger? He’s in my cellar? That’s impossible! I didn’t—this is a setup!”
The officer who had handcuffed him tightened his grip. “Mr. Huntington, we’ll sort this out at the station. For now, you’re coming with us.”
“Victoria,” Zayden pleaded, his eyes locking onto hers. “You know me. You know I didn’t do this. Tell them!”
She couldn’t bring herself to answer. Her mind was reeling, her emotions a chaotic storm of fear, doubt, and disbelief. The man who had become part of her routine, who had shown her kindness and care—could he really have been hiding something this dark?
The officers led Zayden out of the house, his protests growing fainter as the door closed behind them. Victoria stood frozen in place, her breaths coming in shallow gasps as the weight of the situation settled over her.
She had come here for dinner, for what she thought would be a quiet evening away from the chaos of her life. Instead, she had stumbled upon a nightmare—one that left her questioning everything she thought she knew about Zayden Huntington.
