Chapter 9 - THE NIGHT VICTORIA CAME BACK
Victoria returned during a thunderstorm.
She arrived at the estate without an appointment.
Security stopped her at the gate.
She demanded to see Ethan.
He refused.
Then she called me.
I almost ignored the number.
But something made me answer.
“Rosa.”
Her voice sounded different.
Not arrogant.
Afraid.
“What do you want?”
“I need to talk to you.”
“About what?”
“My father.”
I went still.
She swallowed.
“He knows about Lily.”
My blood turned cold.
“How?”
“Because he knew about your pregnancy four years ago.”
I gripped the phone.
“What?”
Victoria began crying.
“I didn't know everything.”
I closed my eyes.
“Then tell me what you know.”
She explained that Richard had intercepted my letter.
He believed my relationship with Ethan threatened a financial arrangement between their families.
He also knew I had questioned the Bellwether research.
Victoria admitted she had been told I was an opportunist trying to exploit Ethan.
She believed it.
Or chose to.
Then she said something that made my heart stop.
“My father has been asking where Lily goes during the day.”
I stared toward the staircase.
“Why?”
Victoria's voice trembled.
“I don't know.”
A pause.
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Then:
“But Rosa, I think he's planning to use her to make Ethan stop investigating.”
