Unveiled

As Daria Hardwick drove at night, she had many things on her mind, which came with the territory of being the captain of her police department. The main centerpiece of Daria's thoughts was a case that ended up on her proverbial lap several weeks prior, a case that started out centering on domestic problems, only for things to reach a potentially deadly level.

Daria remembers the name of the woman who approached her: Julia Rosen. Big name in the tech world. but business was definitely not her reason for the encounter.

"Someone's trying to kill me," Julia said to Daria in her first encounter. "I just know it."

"Do you have proof of this, Miss Rosen?" asked Daria.

"Julia," said Julia. "I have no time for formalities, especially at this crucial time. My life is at stake. And I do know who's behind this: Erica."

"Erica?" asked Daria. "As in Erica Holmes, your wife?" Julia gave a bit of a chuckle, knowing that it was no laughing matter.

"She's 14 years younger than me," said Julia, "but I didn't care. There was something about her. Something that attracted me to her. Maybe it was the fact that she didn't care that I was 43. But the fact that she's turned on me like this is just... stunning." Daria noticed something about Julia's pause, like she was struggling to get words out. By the time she rushed to Julia, she had already fainted.

That was three weeks ago, but it remained fresh in Daria's mind. Julia had been poisoned with digitalis, but thankfully, the dose wasn't enough to kill her. The suspicion against Erica increased in the weeks that passed, but Erica always had an alibi. Even so, Daria drive was to the lavish home that Julia and Erica shared, because she sensed something would go down.

Sure enough, the house did serve as the setting for a confrontation--a very heated one.

"How could you do this to me?!"

Seven words uttered in that house, the very home Erica and Julia shared for three years as married couple. Yet in that house, those words were actually uttered by Erica, and she wasn't done.

"Why are you doing this, Julia?"

"Doing what?" Julia said, sitting at her home office, wearing a look that was a mix of concern and some calculation.

"Don't play dumb," said Erica. "I was warned about you. My friends..."

"Your friends?!" shouted Julia. "Your fellow 'influencers' who I could buy and sell as many times as I want?!" Julia stood up out of her seat, and walked right up to Erica.

"Let's get one thing straight," said Julia. "I am the only one who knows what's best for you."

"And what's 'best for me' is trying to control my brand?!" asked Erica.

"Your 'brand' only exists because I allow you to continue your little hobby," Julia said arrogantly. "I could turn it into an actual career."

"By robbing me of my creative control?" asked Erica. "And when I refused, you pull this stunt? You go around accusing me of being unstable, and you even say I'm trying to kill you?!"

"Well, aren't you?" Julia asked coyly as she circled around Erica. "You're killing any hope I have for you actually growing up. You're killing me by not knowing your place." Julia gave a deep sigh as she looked at Erica, and then uttered these words:

"And you're killing any chance I have of saving you from yourself."

Erica's look of bewilderment was suddenly interrupted by a sudden attack; a masked assailant came from behind with a garrote, and as Erica was gasping and fighting for her life, Julia donned that same expression from before, but the calculation appeared to outweigh the concern she was feigning.

"Don't worry, Erica," Julia said, "I'll make sure your influencer business truly shines. After all, it'll be dedicated to your memory; stuff like that always succeeds." Julia gave a demented and wicked smile, as she watched her wife of three years take her last breath, and after the crime was committed, the masked killer's mask was gently removed by Julia.

"You arrived right on time... Daria."

As Julia and Daria suddenly made out with each other, more memories flooded in. Daria remembered how they met a year ago behind Erica's back, and Julia repeatedly mentioning wanting to control Erica's influencer business, which she mocked to Daria at every turn. Julia would vent over Erica's refusal, leading to their insidious plan to damage Erica's reputation, and then eliminate Erica, with Daria's drive to the house being part of her mission as a hitwoman.

"$2 million, as promised," Julia said as she made the transaction on her phone.

"Bless you," Daria said with a fiendish smirk. "You appreciate me way more than that boy's club I'm with. But did you really have to poison yourself?"

"I had to make it look good, right?" asked Julia. "Poor Erica. Couldn't handle the pressure of being an influencer. Couldn't handle the accusations. And all of it is written right here--a perfect suicide note."

As the pair of conspirators planned, Erica's sudden demise was deemed a suicide. Daria and Julia continued their relationship in secret as the latter took over her late wife's business and molded it in her corporate image. The public eye continued to revere Daria and Julia for their separate prestigious occupations, but unbeknownst to all, they were bonded together by greed, a thirst for power, and a willingness to eliminate anyone in their way.