Chapter 8 - The Desperate Call
The message I sent to Julian was simple: I’m tired of the fighting. There is a digital safe in the basement utility room behind the water heater. The code is 0824—our anniversary. Inside is $200,000 in cash and bearer bonds. Take it and leave me the house. If you do, I won’t press charges for the trust money.
Ten minutes later, my phone rang.
I picked up the call, keeping my voice sounding tired, slightly broken—exactly how Julian wanted me to sound.
"Clara?" Julian gasped, his voice trembling with a mixture of hope and suspicion. "Is... is the message true? There’s a safe?"
"Yes, Julian," I sighed, letting a simulated sob escape my throat. "My father kept it there for emergencies. I didn't want to use it, but I just want this nightmare to be over. I can't sleep. The police keep coming to the house, asking questions about the trust. If you take the cash and sign the divorce papers, I will tell them it was a joint business decision."
"And... and the bonds? They're really in there?" he asked, greed dripping from every word.
"Yes. Two hundred thousand total. Just... please, take them and leave me alone. Let me keep my dignity."
"Clara, thank you. Thank you, I swear I’ll make this up to you!" Julian said, his voice suddenly filled with an arrogant, triumphant energy. He was already believing his own lies again, thinking he had managed to manipulate his 'stupid' wife one last time. "I'll be there as soon as I can. Don't tell anyone. Don't tell the police."
"I won't, Julian," I said, and hung up.
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Agent Vance, who was sitting across the table with his headphones on, gave me a thumbs-up. "He bought it. Hook, line, and sinker."
"He always was a terrible businessman," I said, my voice returning to its normal, cold tone. "He never could resist an easy payout."
