Chapter 4 - THE JOURNAL THAT DISAPPEARED
Vivien returned to her father's house three days later.
Edmund accompanied her.
Her father, Charles Moreau, greeted them with forced enthusiasm.
“My daughter. My son-in-law.”
Vivien didn't embrace him.
She walked straight into the study.
“Where is Mother's journal?”
Charles froze.
“What?”
“Her journal. The one you took after she died.”
His face tightened.
“Vivien, this isn't the time.”
“Then when?”
Edmund stood quietly beside the door.
Charles looked at him.
“Surely you can control your wife.”
The room went silent.
Edmund's expression became cold.
“No.”
Charles blinked.
Edmund continued.
“She's asking you a question.”
Vivien looked at her husband.
Something warm moved through her chest.
Charles sighed.
“The journal is gone.”
“Gone where?”
“I destroyed it.”
Vivien felt sick.
“Why?”
“Because your mother was obsessed with dangerous accusations.”
“Against whom?”
Charles looked away.
Vivien stepped closer.
“Dad.”
He swallowed.
“Against men who could have destroyed our family.”
Edmund's voice was quiet.
“Names.”
Charles stared at him.
Then whispered, “Vincent Bellini.”
Edmund went completely still.
Vivien noticed.
“Who is he?”
Edmund looked at her.
“My father's former partner.”
Charles began trembling.
“He's back in Chicago.”
Edmund's jaw tightened.
“How long?”
“Six months.”
Vivien looked between them.
“And you didn't tell anyone?”
Charles laughed bitterly.
“You don't understand what he's capable of.”
Edmund stepped forward.
“I understand better than you think.”
Charles looked terrified.
Then he whispered, “Your wedding wasn't meant to strengthen the alliance.”
Vivien's stomach dropped.
“What?”
Charles closed his eyes.
“It was meant to bring you both into the same room.”
Edmund stared at him.
“Who arranged it?”
May you like
Charles began crying.
“Vincent.”
