Chapter 6 What They Want
Joan returned to the penthouse, her chest tight with anger. She found Macey and Annabelle sitting in the living room, comfortably sharing a pot of tea as if they owned the place. The sweet, helpless act they put on for Reiner was gone.
"You can stop pretending now," Joan said, her voice steady and sharp as she stood over them. "I know what you're doing. You stole my login, you moved that money, and you set me up with Graham."
Annabelle set down her teacup and met Joan’s stare. "We aren't pretending, Joan. We're looking out for what is best for this family."
"Family?" Joan let out a bitter laugh. "You are trying to ruin my marriage and destroy my career."
Macey leaned back against the sofa cushions, folding her arms. "Your marriage was already broken, Joan. Ever since the miscarriage, you've been cold and distant. Reiner is lonely. He needs warmth, fun, and support—things you just can't give him right now."
Joan stared at her younger twin sisters in disbelief. "So that’s your plan? You think you can just replace me?"
"Not replace," Annabelle corrected smoothly. "Join. Reiner would be much happier with both of us by his side. Macey can give him the love and attention he craves, and I can help him manage the company. Together, we can give him the complete, devoted family you withheld."
"You're both insane," Joan said, horrified. "Reiner would never agree to that."
"He will," Annabelle replied with total confidence. "He just needs to believe that you've already moved on with Graham. Once he thinks you betrayed him, he'll look for comfort. And we'll be right here."
Joan’s hand trembled inside her coat pocket as she unlocked her phone and started recording. Reiner needed to hear the truth in their own voices.
"Say that again," Joan demanded, stepping closer. "Tell me again how you plan to manipulate my husband."
Annabelle’s eyes flicked down to Joan's pocket, catching the faint glow of the phone screen. Her eyes narrowed.
"She's recording us." Annabelle snapped.
Annabelle stood up quickly and lunged forward, grabbing Joan's arm. Joan tried to pull back, holding her phone tight, but Annabelle knocked it out of her hand. The device crashed onto the hardwood floor, its screen shattering.
Before Joan could react, Macey grabbed a decorative glass vase from the side table and smashed it against the floor. Shards scattered across the hardwood. She raked her fingernails down her own neck until red welts rose, then tore open the collar of her silk shirt.
"Macey, stop!" Joan cried, taking a step back in shock.
At that exact moment, the front door swung open. Reiner walked in, carrying his briefcase. He stopped dead in his tracks at the doorway.
The living room was a mess of broken glass. Macey was sitting on the floor, weeping loudly, holding her bleeding neck with a torn shirt. Annabelle was kneeling beside her, pretending to comfort her. Joan stood in the center of the room, breathing heavily, holding the broken phone.
"What is going on here?" Reiner demanded, dropping his briefcase.
"Reiner, help." Macey sobbed, her voice trembling with fake fear. "We just tried to talk to her about Graham and the missing money. We wanted her to be honest with you. But she lost her temper and attacked me."
"That's a lie!" Joan shouted, turning to Reiner. "She scratched herself. They were just admitting everything to me—they want to take over my life. Reiner, please, you have to believe me."
Reiner took in the shattered glass, the blood on Macey’s neck, and the broken phone in Joan’s hand. Disappointment hardened his face.
"Believe you?" Reiner said, shaking his head. "Joan, look at this room. Look at your sister. I cannot ignore what is standing right in front of my eyes."
"Reiner—"
"I think it's best if you stay at a hotel until the launch investigation is finished," Reiner interrupted, his voice final and unyielding.