Chapter 54 Fifty Four
Mira turned toward the voice.
Lena stood only a few feet away; tears streamed down her face. Her trembling eyes remained fixed on the maid’s lifeless body, one hand covering her mouth as though she might be sick.
“Oh my God…” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Who would do something like this?”
Mira swallowed hard.
She didn’t know what terrified her more.
The maid lying in a pool of blood… Or seeing her own photograph placed beside the body.
Who did this? And why me?
The questions raced through her mind.
“Nothing stays alive for long in the Corvin mansion,” Lena whispered through her tears. “Especially if you’re a woman.”
Mira turned sharply to her. “What do you mean by that?”
Lena didn’t answer. Her eyes remained fixed on the body.
“Lena?”
Mira grabbed her arm. “What do you mean?”
Still she said nothing.
“Lena!” Mira’s voice rose, panic creeping in. “What do you mean?”
The sudden silence that followed was broken by the sound of approaching footsteps.
Everyone turned.
Salvatore walked into the foyer. He stopped a few feet from the body.
His expression didn’t change. His eyes rested briefly on the dead maid before sweeping across the room.
Then they met Mira’s.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
He looked away first.
“Antonio.” His calm voice cut through the silence. Clear this.”
Antonio gave a short nod before turning to the servants.
“Everyone out. Now.”
The crowd slowly began to disperse, whispering among themselves. Without another word, Salvatore walked straight toward Mira.
“Come with me.”
It wasn’t a request.
Before she could object, he gently took hold of her wrist and led her away from the foyer.
She followed in silence, her mind still trapped downstairs beside the body. Neither of them spoke until they reached his bedroom.
Salvatore closed the door behind them. For several long seconds, the room remained silent.
He stood with his back against the door, watching her. Then he walked over to the bed and sat down, resting his forearms on his knees.
“I’m sorry you had to see that,” he said quietly.
Mira stared at him in disbelief.
That was it? That was all he had to say?
She had just watched a woman bleed to death.
Someone had left a message threatening her.
And he looked… Calm.
“Are you really sorry?” she asked.
Salvatore looked at her but said nothing.
She took a step closer. “Are you really sorry?” This time her voice was louder.
His eyes never left hers. “That you had to see such a scene, yes, I am.”
He paused, his gaze still on her. “But I have nothing else to apologize for.”
Mira let out a frustrated breath. “For God’s sake.”
She threw her hands into the air.
“A woman is lying dead downstairs. There was blood everywhere, and someone left my picture next to her body.”
Her voice cracked with anger.
“And you’re sitting here acting like it’s just another morning.”
Salvatore remained silent. His composure only fueled her rage.
“What is wrong with you?”
His jaw tightened. “She isn’t the first person to die in this house. I don’t see what the problem is.”
Mira blinked.
“What?”
“And unless I find who’s responsible…” he continued calmly, “…she won’t be the last.”
A chill ran through Mira.
“You say that like you’ve accepted it.”
His gaze hardened.
“I don’t waste time grieving; it doesn’t change a thing. People die, Mira, every fucking day.”
Mira shook her head, disgust flashing across her face. “You make me sick.”
I’ve been told worse,” he said quietly.
Mira stared at him in disbelief. “That’s all you have to say?”
“What do you want me to say?” He said calmly.
“I want you to act like a human being!” She yelled
“I am.”
“No.” She shook her head. “You’re acting like a woman didn’t just die downstairs.”
Salvatore remained seated. His expression never changed.
“What do you want me to do, scream?” he said calmly. “Would you that bring her back? Does it reverse time?.
“What?” Mira looked at him, shocked
I thought that maybe…” she started.
But stopped.
Salvatore’s eyes narrowed. “Maybe what?”
She stayed silent… she couldn’t bring herself to speak.
“Mira.” His voice became colder. “Finish what you were going to say.”
She didn’t respond.
He stood and walked closer. “Don’t stop now.”
His voice rose slightly. “It’s already on the tip of your tongue.”He stopped in front of her. “Maybe what?”
Mira looked away.
But Salvatore didn’t let it go. “Maybe you thought I wasn’t the monster everyone says I am?”
Her eyes snapped back to his, shock on her face.
The room went silent.
“Maybe you thought I didn’t kill those women?”
Mira's eyes stayed on him, filled with a lot of questions.
“Maybe you thought I wasn’t the murderer everyone believes I am?”
Mira said nothing. Because he was right. Those were exactly the thoughts she had been fighting.
Salvatore gave a humorless laugh. “Now what? Am I a monster?” He stepped closer. “You came here to prove I was guilty.”
My mouth opened slightly, shocked and fearful.
“You came here to dig up dirt on me. To find evidence. To get me arrested.” His eyes locked with hers. “So tell me…”
His voice lowered. “What have you found?”
Mira froze.
He knew.
Salvatore watched the realization appear on her face. “You’re surprised? Wondering how I knew, right?”
A small, cold laugh escaped him. “I knew from the first day you walked into this house.”
The air left Mira’s lungs.
“You know I saw you the day you the day moved down here. I followed you, and I knew you worked at Truthcope”
He tilted his head slightly. “You were never here because you needed a job.”
His gaze darkened. “I figured, oh, she’s here for me. Those cowards couldn’t do it themselves, so they sent you.”
Mira couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak.
Because the worst part wasn’t that he knew.
It was that he had known all along… And he still let her stay.