Behind the Blinds

PART 2 — THE WIFE WHO CAME BACK

The bedroom door swung open.

A woman stepped inside wearing a cream-colored designer coat, black heels, and a diamond necklace that caught the light.

She was beautiful.

And she was wearing the exact same necklace from the photograph.

“Hello, darling.”

Liam went completely still.

Victoria Mercer smiled as if she had just returned from a shopping trip instead of a funeral.

“You’re looking better.”

Liam’s fingers tightened around the bedsheet.

“You’re supposed to be dead.”

Victoria laughed softly.

“That’s a rather unpleasant way to greet your wife.”

I stood beside the medical cart, trying to understand what I was witnessing.

Leo entered behind her, his hand resting near his gun.

“Boss, I tried to stop her.”

“Leave us,” Liam ordered.

Victoria glanced at me.

“And who is this?”

“His nurse,” I answered.

She looked me up and down.

“Another one? How unfortunate. I thought the previous girls had taught you all something.”

I ignored her.

Instead, I noticed something on her right wrist.

A thin, pale scar.

It matched the description of an injury recorded in Liam’s medical file from the same accident that supposedly killed her.

Victoria followed my gaze and quickly pulled down her sleeve.

“What’s wrong?” she asked coldly.

“Nothing.”

“Then stop staring.”

Liam suddenly spoke.

“Why are you here?”

Victoria approached his bed and placed a hand on his shoulder.

He flinched.

“Don’t touch me.”

Her smile disappeared for half a second.

Then she leaned closer.

“I came to see how my husband was recovering.”

“You came to make sure I was still alive.”

She sighed.

“Always so suspicious, Liam.”

I checked his monitor. His heart rate was climbing rapidly.

“Mr. Mercer needs rest. This conversation should wait.”

Victoria turned toward me.

“Did I ask for your opinion?”

“No. But I’m responsible for his medical care.”

She stepped closer.

“Listen carefully, nurse. I don’t know what he promised you, but whatever he’s paying, I’ll double it if you leave tonight.”

I looked at her.

“I’m not interested.”

Her expression hardened.

“Everyone has a price.”

“Perhaps. But mine isn’t your concern.”

For the first time, Liam almost smiled.

Victoria noticed.

Her eyes narrowed.

“Interesting.”

She turned toward him.

“We need to discuss the company. Your board meeting is tomorrow, and several people are becoming impatient.”

“Get out.”

“Liam, don’t be childish.”

“GET OUT!”

His shout triggered a violent coughing fit. I immediately moved to adjust his position and checked his oxygen.

Victoria watched without moving.

Then she quietly said something that made my hands freeze.

“You should have died in that car, Liam. It would have made everything much easier.”

Silence filled the room.

Liam stared at her.

And I finally understood.

The accident hadn’t simply injured him.

Someone had tried to kill him.

Victoria turned and walked toward the door.

Before leaving, she glanced at me.

“Enjoy your job, Clara Bennett. Just remember that people who get too close to my husband have a habit of disappearing.”

The door closed.

I finished checking Liam’s vital signs.

Then I looked at him.

“Who is she really?”

He stared at the ceiling.

“My wife.”

“Your dead wife?”

He swallowed.

“The woman I married was kind, intelligent, and incapable of hurting anyone.”

He turned his head toward me.

“The woman you just met is the reason I’m lying in this bed.”

I pulled a chair closer.

“Then tell me what happened.”

He was silent for almost a minute.

Finally, he spoke.

“Victoria and my business partner, Richard Hale, arranged the accident. They wanted my shares, my company, and my death certificate.”

My stomach tightened.

“But you survived.”

“Unfortunately for them.”

He closed his eyes.

“There’s one thing you need to understand, Clara. They don’t know how much I remember.”

I frowned.

“What do you mean?”

His voice dropped.

“Before the accident, I heard Victoria speaking to someone. She thought I was unconscious.”

He looked directly at me.

“She said there was another person they needed to get rid of.”

“Who?”

Liam’s eyes moved toward the door.

“Someone who knows the truth.”