The Silent Womb's Revenge

Chapter 9

Ethan Sullivan's lips curved into an involuntary smile as his phone lit up with a message from Sophia Williams.

[Sweetheart, I'm almost there. Can't wait to see your surprise.]

He typed a quick reply and glanced at the wall clock. Outside, fireworks had already burst across the sky three times, yet Sophia hadn’t responded.

A sudden unease tightened his chest. He reached for his phone to call her, but Victoria Taylor’s hand pressed down on his.

"Ethan, you promised to stay with me tonight." Her voice dripped with honeyed sweetness.

"Sophia’s waiting for me." His brow furrowed as his fingers tapped impatiently against the screen.

"You’ll miss the fireworks now anyway." Victoria laughed softly, her slender fingers toying with his tie. "Why not... stay?"

Her silk robe pooled at her feet.

Ethan’s breath hitched, his throat working. "Don’t."

She leaned in, her whisper brushing his ear. "Last time, you said you wanted a reward... Changed your mind?"

His arm suddenly tightened around her in response.

His phone vibrated several times before falling silent.

Two hours later, Ethan rushed into the rose garden. The fireworks had long faded, leaving only a few lingering tourists snapping photos.

He loosened his tie before pushing the door open. "Sweetheart, I’m sorry. Punish me however you—"

The words died in his throat.

The vast garden was empty except for a few maids cleaning up.

"Where’s my wife?"

"Mr. Sullivan, Mrs. Williams never came tonight."

His face darkened. "That’s impossible!"

He pulled out his phone—seven missed calls glared back at him, all from his mother, Margaret Sullivan.

Sophia’s message thread was blank.

Hands trembling, he dialed her number, only to be met with the cold tone of a switched-off phone.

He raced home like a madman.

"Sweetheart, something came up with Jacob—"

His voice cut off.

The living room was eerily quiet. Every trace of Sophia had vanished.

Staggering upstairs, he yanked open the closet door—

Half-empty.

Footsteps sounded behind him. He whirled around, but it was only a maid holding a tray.

"Mr. Sullivan," she said, offering an envelope. "Mrs. Williams said this is your surprise."