Chapter 2 - The House of Lies
For three days, Tasha remained legally "under observation" in a private wing, keeping her revival completely off the hospital's general registry with the help of the chief of medicine. Brandon hadn't even checked the NICU since the night of the delivery. He had assumed Tasha’s death was a done deal, too intoxicated by Sienna’s promises of her inherited family trust to ask questions.
On Thursday afternoon, Brandon and Sienna arrived at the Coleman family estate. Sienna was already dressed in Tasha’s favorite cashmere coat, sipping champagne as she walked through the front doors, instructing movers to stack boxes in the foyer.
"We’ll convert the nursery into an executive study," Sienna’s voice echoed off the marble entryway. "And Brandon, we need to list her shares in Coleman Logistics by Friday before the probate court pauses the transfers."
"Isn't it a bit early, Sienna?" Brandon hesitated, holding a crystal glass of whiskey. "Her memorial service isn't even until Saturday."
"The market doesn't care about mourning, Brandon," Sienna sneered softly, pressing her body against his. "You want the company, don't you? She's gone. The twins are weak in the incubator—they might not even make it. You have to be strong."
"She isn't gone."
The voice came from the top of the grand staircase.
Brandon froze, dropping his glass. It shattered against the tile floor, spraying amber liquid and shards across Sienna’s high heels.
Tasha stood on the landing, wearing a tailored black suit, her dark hair pulled back into a sharp, flawless bun. Beside her stood Marcus Vance and two armed private security guards.
"T-Tasha?" Brandon’s face drained of all color. His knees visibly buckled. "You... the doctor said your heart stopped for over twelve minutes. They said you died!"
"I did flatline, Brandon," Tasha said calmly, stepping down the stairs with slow, deliberate grace. "But I decided your betrayal wasn't worth dying over."
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Sienna took a step back, her sharp composure instantly cracking. "This is impossible. The hospital records—"
"The hospital records are currently in the hands of the District Attorney," Tasha interrupted, pointing a sleek black file folder at Sienna. "Along with forty-eight minutes of high-definition security footage from the waiting room. The footage where you cheered while my body went cold."
