Alle Kapitel von MARRIED TO MY MOTHER’S KILLER : Kapitel 11 – Kapitel 20

Avaline had always known fear. Fear was the sound of footsteps behind her when she was carrying secrets she could never confess. Fear was waking up every morning wondering if Dante had decided that her usefulness had expired. Fear was looking at her younger brother and knowing he believed she had abandoned him. But nothing prepared her for standing in front of Blackwood Estate. The gates alone looked like they belonged to another world. Tall iron barriers. Security cameras hidden among the trees. Guards positioned carefully around the property. A fortress disguised as a home. She sat inside the car, staring through the window. This was where Elena Blackwood had lived. This was where Eliam had grown up. This was where everything she had helped destroy began. Her driver cleared his throat. “Ms. Hart?” She looked away from the mansion. “Yes?” “We have arrived.” For a moment, she couldn’t move. Then she reached for the door handle. Every step toward the entrance felt lik

Avaline looked away first. She slid the phone back into her handbag before Eliam could ask questions. “Everything okay?” His voice was casual. Too casual. She forced a small smile. “Just a message from work.” He studied her for another second. Then he nodded. “I’ll have someone collect the rest of your belongings tomorrow.” “Thank you.” Gabriella tugged on Eliam’s sleeve. “Can Ava eat with us?” The nickname surprised everyone in the room. Including Avaline. Eliam looked down at his sister. “You’ve known her for less than a week.” “I know.” “And you’re already giving her nicknames?” Gabriella shrugged as though it were obvious. “It fits.” Luca chuckled quietly. Eliam shot him a look. Luca immediately cleared his throat. “I’ll check the evening security rotation.” He disappeared down the hallway before Eliam could say another word. … Dinner was quieter than Avaline expected. The dining room could have seated thirty people. Only three chairs were occu

Morning came quietly to Blackwood Estate. Too quietly. Avaline woke before her alarm, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling above her. For a few seconds, she forgot where she was. Then everything returned. The contract. The mansion. Eliam. Dante. Noah. The music box. She sat up slowly. Her phone was on the bedside table. No new messages. That should have made her feel better. It didn’t. Dante never stayed silent for long. Avaline pushed the blankets aside and walked toward the window. The gardens below were covered in morning mist, and security guards moved along the perimeter with practiced precision. This wasn’t a home. It was a fortress. And she was trapped inside it. A soft knock came at the door. Before she could answer, Gabriella pushed it open. “Ava!” Avaline smiled despite herself. “Good morning.” Gabriella ran into her arms. “You’re still here!” “Where else would I go?” Gabriella looked serious. “Sometimes people leave.” Something in the little girl’s voice m

Avaline barely slept. The photograph remained on the bedside table long after she had turned off the lights.I KNOW WHAT YOU DID.The words seemed to follow her whenever she closed her eyes. She had received threats before.Dante had made sure of that. But this felt different.Dante knew exactly what she had done. He didn’t need to remind her.This message was meant for someone else.Someone who wanted her afraid. Someone who knew enough about her past to make her wonder how much more they knew.By morning, Avaline had made a decision. She needed answers. She couldn’t keep walking through Blackwood Estate pretending everything was normal.Especially when someone had already started watching her. She slipped the photograph into her handbag and left her room.The hallway was quiet.Most of the household staff hadn’t arrived yet, and the morning sun had barely reached the windows.She walked toward the east wing. The security archives were there.She remembered what Marcus had told Eliam

The next morning, the music box was gone. Avaline noticed it before breakfast.She had barely slept after what happened the previous night. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the little black chip hidden beneath the silver lid.She had not told Eliam about it. She wasn’t sure why.Perhaps because she didn’t know whether she could trust him with it. Or perhaps because a small part of her was afraid of what they would discover if they opened it.Either way, the music box had remained in Gabriella’s room when Avaline finally left her there the night before.Now it was missing.Avaline stood in the doorway, staring at the empty shelf.Gabriella’s toys were still scattered across the room. Her stuffed rabbit was lying beside the pillow. A small pink blanket hung halfway off the bed.Everything looked normal. Except for the one thing that mattered.She searched beneath the bed. Nothing.Inside the toy chest. Nothing.On the little table beside the window. Nothing.Her heart began beati