The wail of the sirens grew deafening, cutting through the freezing Connecticut rain. Red and blue lights fractured the darkness, painting the walls of my custom-built estate in harsh, strobing colors.
Claire’s arrogant posture evaporated instantly. The woman who, just ninety seconds ago, had demanded I leave my own home and abandon my daughter, was now hyperventilating.
"David, wait!" Claire shrieked, lunging forward, completely ignoring her newborn on the sofa. "You don't have to do this! We can figure this out privately. Please, David, don't let them in!"
Julian, the smug cashmere-wearing interloper, wasn't begging. He was calculating. His eyes darted toward the hallway leading to the back door, his body shifting as if preparing to bolt.
"Don't even think about it, Julian," I said, my voice echoing with a cold, terrifying authority. "My security system automatically locks all exterior doors when the panic sequence is engaged. You aren't going anywhere."