Chapter 4 - The Cliffside Trail
The path leading to the Cliffside Pavilion wound away from the brightly lit hotel gardens, snaking through a dense grove of towering pine trees and sea-grass. The ambient noise of the wedding party—the laughter, the clinking glasses, the smooth saxophone music—faded into the background, replaced by the rhythmic, booming crash of ocean waves crashing against the jagged rocks fifty feet below.
The stone pathway was dimly lit by small, low-voltage garden lights embedded in the soil. I hurried down the path as fast as my legs would carry me, my high heels sinking slightly into the damp earth with every step.
"Kathleen!" I called out softly into the darkness. "Kathleen!"
Only the wind rustling through the pines answered.
I rounded a sharp bend in the trail, and the canopy opened up to reveal the wooden structure of the pavilion perched on the edge of the dark cliff face.
Two figures were standing beneath the gazebo roof.
Kathleen was standing near the wooden railing, her white veil fluttering wildly in the sea breeze. Victor—Mark—was standing uncomfortably close to her, holding a black leather document folder in one hand and a pen in the other.
"Mark, I don't understand why this can't wait until Monday," Kathleen’s voice drifted over the sound of the wind, laced with confusion and annoyance. "The photographer isn't even up here yet. And why do I need to sign an addendum to the estate trust right now?"
"It’s just standard procedure for the offshore holding account, sweetie," Victor’s voice replied, entirely devoid of his previous tenderness. It was rigid, cold, and demanding. "The notary is waiting downstairs. Just put your signature on page three so we can wrap this up."
"I'm not signing anything without my lawyer looking at it first," Kathleen said firmly, taking a step back toward the path. "You're acting really strange, Mark. Where is my mother? Where is Jaime?"
Victor stepped forward, his hand snapping out to grab her wrist with a firm, punishing grip. "You're going to sign it now, Kathleen. We don't have time for your childish hesitations."
Kathleen gasped, trying to pull her arm back. "Let go of me! You're hurting me!"
"Kathleen!" I shouted, stepping out from the shadows of the pine trees onto the open stone patio.
Both of them snapped their heads toward me. Kathleen’s eyes filled with relief, while Victor’s face twisted into an expression of pure, unadulterated hatred.
"Mom!" Kathleen cried out. "What's wrong with him? He's acting crazy!"
"Get away from him, Kathleen!" I demanded, stepping steadily toward them. "His name isn't Mark Henderson. He’s a fraud. His name is Victor Rossi!"
Kathleen blinked, thoroughly bewildered. "What? Mom, what are you talking about?"
Victor didn't deny it. He let out a cold, bitter laugh, dropping the gentle husband act entirely. He tightened his grip on Kathleen’s wrist, pulling her close against his side so she couldn't run.
"You really are a meddling old woman, aren't you, Lucy?" Victor sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance. "You should have stayed at the dessert table and enjoyed the cake."
"Mom, what is he saying?" Kathleen begged, tears finally welling in her eyes as the horrifying reality began to settle over her. "Mark, let me go!"
"Shut up, Kathleen!" Victor barked, shaking her roughly. "Sign the paper, or this night ends very badly for both you and your mother."
Before I could take another step, heavy footsteps crunched on the gravel behind me.
May you like
I turned around to see Julian emerging from the pine grove. In his hand, half-hidden under his tuxedo jacket, he held a dark, metallic object.
We were completely trapped on the edge of the cliff.
