Chapter 3 - Minutes to Live
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Ruth stood in the doorway of Norah’s room, her body blocking the frame.
Celeste turned around, startled by the intrusion. Her initial look of annoyance quickly dissolved into her practiced, innocent smile.
“Oh, Ruth,” Celeste said smoothly, adjusting her diamond bracelet. “You startled me. I was just checking on poor Norah. She seems so restless tonight.”
“Get away from her,” Ruth said. Her voice was shaking, but she did not step aside.
Celeste’s eyes narrowed, the warmth instantly evaporating from her face. “Excuse me? Do you know who you are talking to, girl? I am the future mistress of this house. You are a glorified maid.”
“I said, get away from her,” Ruth repeated, stepping into the room and placing herself directly between Celeste and the bed.
Norah reached out with a trembling hand, grabbing the back of Ruth’s apron. Her breath was coming in shallow, agonizing gasps now. Her pulse was thready beneath her pale skin.
Celeste let out a cruel, mocking laugh. “You stupid little girl. You think Wesley will take your word over mine? I’ve been by his side for two years. You’re a nobody.”
She stepped forward, intending to push Ruth out of the way, but before her hand could make contact, heavy, thundering footsteps shattered the quiet of the hallway.
The door was violently thrown open, crashing against the wall with enough force to split the wood.
Wesley Cain stood in the threshold. His coat was damp from the night mist, his hair disheveled, and his eyes wild with a lethal, unbridled fury. In his right hand, held casually at his side, was a pistol.
Celeste gasped, taking an involuntary step back. “Wesley! What... what are you doing home? And why do you have a gun?”
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Wesley didn't look at Celeste. His eyes went directly to his sister, taking in her blue lips, her struggling chest, and the overturned bottle on the nightstand.
“Ruth,” Wesley commanded, his voice shaking with a terrifying vibration. “Call Dr. Sterling. Tell him if he isn't here in three minutes, I will drag him here myself.”
