The Price of Silence
Chapter 08 - The Price of Silence
Lila’s son, Owen, lived with his father in Tennessee.
Emma had met him only twice. Lila had always kept that part of her life separate, saying the distance was easier for everyone.
Victor had discovered that Owen’s father was behind on business taxes.
Then he bought the debt through a shell company.
“He can take the garage,” Lila said. “Their house is tied to it.”
Emma stared at her.
“So you helped him destroy me to protect a building?”
“To protect my son’s home.”
“You had choices.”
“I know.”
The words came out without defense.
Rain tapped against the metal loading doors.
Lila explained that Victor had approached her after her design business failed. He offered money, then affection, then fear. At first, she told herself she was gathering information.
Later, she stopped pretending.
She signed the side agreement.
She lied to Grace.
She sat on Emma’s sofa and watched Victor demand the proxy.
“But the knife wasn’t planned,” Lila said. “He said he would frighten you with the sale documents. When you called the police, he lost control.”
Emma looked at the second phone.
“Play the recording.”
Lila pressed the screen.
Victor’s voice filled the loading dock.
Once she signs, the board will vote her out. After that, the medical report handles the rest.
Then Lila’s voice:
And if she refuses?
A pause.
Victor answered.
She won’t. People always sign when they believe no one will believe them.
Emma closed her eyes.
Lila stopped the recording.
“There are four hours of conversations.”
“Send them to Caroline.”
“I need protection for Owen first.”
Emma stepped closer.
“You want me to save your family after you helped break mine.”
“Yes.”
The honesty was almost cruel.
Before Emma could answer, headlights swept across the loading dock windows.
A black car stopped outside.
Lila went pale.
“He followed me.”
The side door opened.
But it was not Victor who entered.
It was Grace.
She was holding Lila’s original phone.
May you like
And on its screen was a live message from Victor:
KEEP HER TALKING. I’M ALMOST THERE.
