part 5
PART 5
Dominic did not understand why Audrey smiled after the slap.
That was his first mistake.
He thought pain always moved in one direction.
From his hand into her silence.
But this time, the pain had a destination.
The police report.
The camera file.
The arrest warrant waiting behind the door.
Audrey turned toward the kitchen with slow, controlled steps.
Her cheek throbbed.
Her eye was already swelling from an earlier bruise.
Her hands trembled only once before she reached the silver tray.
Then she steadied them.
In the dining room, Dominic kept talking.
“She does this.”
“She pushes me.”
“She wants attention.”
Victoria answered loudly enough for the camera.
“We all saw her provoke you.”
Natalie murmured, “She always ruins dinner.”
Audrey almost thanked them.
When she returned, she carried the tray with both hands.
The white cloth covered everything.
Dominic frowned.
“What is that?”
Audrey placed it in the center of the table.
“Dinner.”
Natalie laughed.
“That’s not food.”
Audrey lifted the cloth.
The first thing visible was the red bra.
Dominic’s face changed.
Natalie stopped laughing.
Victoria leaned forward.
On the tray, the bra lay beside the hotel photo, the bank records, the flash drive, and the camera stills.
Audrey picked up the fork and lifted the red bra into the chandelier light.
Dominic whispered, “Put that down.”
Victoria’s voice cracked.
“What did you put on that tray?”
Audrey turned the platter toward her.
“Your son’s affair, your stolen money, and every camera angle of what he did to me.”
Natalie rose so quickly her chair scraped the floor.
“That is not mine.”
Audrey looked at her.
“I know.”
“It is from Dominic’s assistant.”
Natalie froze.
That was not the secret she expected.
Dominic’s eyes flashed toward her.
Audrey continued.
“Yes, Natalie.”
“You were not the mistress.”
“You were only the woman helping move foundation money while he entertained someone younger.”
Victoria’s hand flew to her throat.
Dominic lunged for the tray.
Before he touched it, the dining-room doors opened.
Officer Bennett stepped in with another officer.
“Dominic Vance.”
Dominic spun around.
Audrey sat back down.
Her voice was quiet.
May you like
“You should have eaten before you came.”
Read the full story 👉 The tray exposed not only Dominic’s affair but also that Natalie had been used in the family’s stolen-money scheme.
