The entire plan had started because of something Chloe said over dinner the night before.
“You trust Marisol far too much, Alexander.”
That single sentence kept me awake for hours.
Marisol had worked for me for almost five years.
She had originally been hired as a housekeeper.
But after my wife passed away, Marisol gradually became one of the people my daughters trusted most.
She never tried to replace their mother.
She was simply there.
She knew their routines.
She helped when they were upset.
She listened when they needed someone.
Until Chloe planted doubt in my mind, I had always viewed that closeness as something good.
“What exactly are you trying to say?” I asked her that night.
Chloe leaned toward me and lowered her voice.
“Things have disappeared from the house.”
I frowned.
“What things?”
“My diamond earrings. Some cash I left in my vanity drawer. Expensive perfume.”
I stared at her.
“Are you saying Marisol stole them?”
“I’m not accusing anyone.”
Her answer came smoothly.
“I’m only telling you that you need to start paying attention.”
