Chapter 4

The manila envelope sat on my kitchen counter like a ticking bomb. Eleanor Vance had delivered it personally this morning, her expression carefully neutral as she handed it over.

"Everything you asked for is there, Mrs. Mitchell," she'd said. "And I'm afraid it's... substantial."

I'd thanked her, written the final check, and waited until she left before touching the envelope. Now, with Emma at school and the penthouse silent around me, I finally slid my finger under the flap.

The first photograph showed Ryan and Amber on a rooftop lounge, Barcelona's distinctive skyline spread out behind them. Ryan's hand rested…