With her weight pulling up, Nicole slouched in the passenger seat of this SUV. The leather creaked beneath her. With her jaw tightly clenched, Berry launched the ignition with a jab. The engine roared to life, and the vents were filled with cold air.
Berry asked, "Why'd you take forever back there?" while turning the car mirror.
"I told you—it was not anything," Nicole snapped, yanking her seatbelt across her chest.
She stared out the window, watching the health facility decrease in the distance.
Berry drummed her arms on the wheel. "Mom left in the Mercedes. Said she had to 'clear her head.'" She air-quoted the phrases, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Nicole did not reply. She pressed her brow to the glass, the street's vibrations buzzing through her cranium.
"Do you suspect Dad'll awaken?" Nicole whispered, her breath fogging the window.
Berry's knuckles whitened. "The doctor said the surgery's tomorrow. Stop asking questions you know I can't answer.".
Silence thickened. Nicole picked at a scratch on the dashboard—a mark from when Berry had borrowed the SUV without asking last summer. "I bumped into someone at the hospital," she said finally. "Twice.".
Berry smirked. "Let me guess—tall, broody, and vaguely heroic?".
"His name's Jonathan."
"And?".
"And nothing.
He was just… there.".
With the porch light flickering like a dying star, the Perez house was in slumber. Nicole shook her head at the front doorknob with her hand over the handle. Inside, there was an aroma of smoky lemon and scorched coffee.
The same blood-stained blouse that she had worn yesterday was still visible as Sophie sat motionless on the living room couch. Her face was illuminated by a single lamp, creating long shadows. With his weight on it, she gazed at Charles's recliner, its cushions ruined.
With her shoes atop a shattered photo frame, Nicole grimaced and asked, "Mom.".
Inside the picture, there was a graduation photo of Nicole lying face down with a glass breaking her smile.
Sophie didn't look up. "The surgeon dialed.". They're prepping him at seven.".
Berry removed her shoes and sat on the rug. "We should have dinner," she declared.
"The fridge was where the lefts were found", as Sophie whispered.
Nicole wandered into the kitchen. The refrigerator purred softly as its cabinets gleamed with cautiously arranged treats, such as bottles of uncommon vintage wine, fresh seafood, and imported cheeses. Truffles had been nestled in a crystal dish, and chilled champagne turned into ready along golden-wrapped goodies. The cool surface of the water bottle felt smooth against her fingers as she reached for it, infrequently making a sound.
Sophie's fist hitting the coffee table caused Berry to jump. "Don't believe me, your father!". She mentioned that there was no security or cook, only a part-time cleaner who barely touched the surface. "Too stubborn.". Too cheap.".
Nicole fell, and the water bottle fell out of her hands. A slurping noise was heard as it fell under the table and hit the floor.
A loud knock made its way through the house.
Harry Barrett stood on the porch in his tailored suit, perfectly matched for the hour that was coming late. A bunch of white lilies beamed towards Andrew, his son, who was standing behind him. They looked ' very, very formal' - even the petals against this dim light from the porch.
Harry spoke of "Sophie" with a soft voice and pity for her. "We immediately came out when we heard what happened.".
The door was opened by Sophie, who moved it with a robotic hand. Eye contact: Andrew's eyes flicked towards Nicole before she fell to the floor. His height had increased, with wider shoulders and a sharper jaw than when she last saw him, but he still curled up in stoicism.
"What is the explanation behind Harry's decision to sit on Charles' chair, his shoes shining silver?" asked.
Sophie twisted her wedding ring. "Robbers. They… hurt him. He's in a coma."
Harry's brows were covered in furrowed hair." What does this mean? No guards? No security guards?".
"No.". Sophie replied
The lilies were placed on the coffee table by Andrew, who detected their scent. "We can assist," he said. Money, lawyers—whatever you need.".
Sophie waved a hand toward the kitchen. "Nicole, serve them wine."
Harry palmed down to Nicole, who was trying to pick up a dusty bottle on the counter. "Water is fine," she said.
Hands shaking, I filled two glasses. Andrew was brushed with her fingers when she handed him his.? He slithered back, with water penetrating onto his shirt.
Harry hesitantly stated, "We're going to see Charles tomorrow.".
Then Sophie nodded with her face behind a mask.
Harry Barrett patted Sophie on her shoulder, his gold watch shimmering in the dim light, and promised to check up on Charles tomorrow. He stepped onto the porch.
Despite the situation, Andrew persevered, keeping his gaze constant on Nicole. He opened his mouth to talk, after which he closed, strolling with his father into the smooth black car.
Sophie pulled out her phone, dialing the police chief's number.. It seemed like a pointed knock. She iced up and opened the door.
Detective Rivera, alongside an officer who had a well-groomed salt-and-pepper mustache
Sophie hung up her call, tucking the phone into her pocket. "Come in."
He nodded and said, "Mrs Perez, we need to check the house for evidence.".
Berry hopped off the stairs. "The safety cameras are in Dad's office," she said, leading the detectives down the hall. Nicole trailed behind, fingers crossed.
The manipulated room turned into a cramped, monitors sparkling blue. Berry clicked a mouse, pulling up photos from the night of the robbery. Grainy pictures flashed—guys in masks, Nicole being dragged upstairs.
Detective Rivera leaned closer. "We'll want these photos. For the investigation." Nicole nodded. "Take it." Berry ejected the USB drive, handing it over.
Back inside the residing room, Sophie hovered through the window. "Find them," she stated flatly.
"We're doing everything we can," Detective Rivera replied. He tipped his hat and left, the alternative officer trailing silently.
As the detectives' automobile pulled away, a silver sedan parked within the driveway. Three guys in fits stepped out—Charles's enterprise partners. Mr. Kim, the board chairman, adjusted his tie. "Sophie," he stated, voice strained. "We noticed the news. How is Charles?"
Sophie blinked. "News?"
Mr. Kim pulled out a folded newspaper. The headline screamed: "LOCAL BUSINESSMAN ATTACKED IN HOME INVASION."
Nicole snatched the paper, her arms shaking. "Who informed them?"
Nicole stared at the article, her jaw tight.
Berry picked at her nails. "Dad hates reporters," she muttered.
Sophie sank into the couch, her face pale. "Someone talked. A nurse? The police?"
Nicole crumpled the newspaper. "Or the robbers?".