Chapter 6 - THE BETRAYAL THAT WAS PLANNED
Vivian sat motionless.
Camille was crying on the other end of the phone.
“I didn't know what he wanted at first,” her sister whispered.
Vivian's voice was cold.
“You slept with my husband because a criminal told you to?”
“Viv—”
“Answer me.”
“Yes.”
The word struck like a physical blow.
Vivian closed her eyes.
For years, she had defended Camille.
Paid her debts.
Invited her to holidays.
Given her a room when she claimed she had nowhere to go.
And all that time, Camille had resented her.
Vivian had known that.
But she'd never imagined this.
“Why?” she whispered.
Camille began crying harder.
“Because I was stupid.”
“That isn't an answer.”
“He promised me money.”
Vivian felt sick.
“How much?”
“Two hundred thousand.”
Silence.
Then Vivian laughed.
It was a broken sound.
“You sold my marriage for two hundred thousand dollars.”
Camille sobbed.
“I thought Matteo would leave you.”
“And you wanted that?”
“Yes.”
Vivian pressed a hand over her mouth.
The truth hurt more than the affair.
Because Camille had wanted to destroy her.
Not accidentally.
Not in a moment of weakness.
Deliberately.
“Did Matteo know?” Vivian asked.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Vivian looked toward the window.
Snow fell softly outside.
She thought about Matteo.
His arrogance.
His control.
His betrayal.
He had chosen to kiss Camille.
Chosen to lie.
Chosen to lock his pregnant wife inside their bedroom.
Those choices belonged to him.
But now Vivian understood someone else had been manipulating the situation.
“Why is Salerno doing this?” she asked.
Camille sniffed.
“Because you found the Blackwater records.”
Vivian's stomach tightened.
“How did he know?”
“Someone inside the Draven estate told him.”
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
Vivian didn't believe her.
“Camille.”
“I swear.”
Her voice cracked.
“Viv, he said if I didn't help him, he'd kill me.”
Vivian closed her eyes.
She wanted to hate her sister.
Part of her did.
But fear was real.
And Camille sounded terrified.
“Go to the police,” Vivian said.
“I can't.”
“Yes, you can.”
“He'll find me.”
“Then call an attorney and tell them everything.”
Camille began crying again.
“Will you forgive me?”
Vivian stared at the wall.
“No.”
Silence.
Then she continued.
“Not now. Maybe not ever.”
Camille sobbed.
“But I don't want you dead.”
Vivian swallowed.
“So get help.”
She ended the call.
Then she called Daniel.
Within an hour, the information had been passed to investigators.
Vivian sat on the edge of the bed, shaking.
Eleanor entered quietly.
“Sweetheart?”
Vivian looked up.
“My sister planned it.”
Eleanor sat beside her.
“What?”
“The affair.”
Vivian began crying.
“She planned it.”
Eleanor wrapped an arm around her.
Vivian leaned against her.
For a long time, neither spoke.
Then Eleanor said, “You don't have to carry her guilt.”
Vivian closed her eyes.
“I loved her.”
“I know.”
“I gave her everything.”
“I know.”
“And she wanted my life.”
Eleanor stroked her hair.
“Then let her answer for what she did.”
Vivian nodded.
Meanwhile, Matteo Draven sat in his study staring at a photograph.
It showed Camille entering Victor Salerno's office.
Luca had obtained it from a surveillance review conducted after Salerno's name surfaced in the financial investigation.
Matteo looked up.
“How long?”
Luca hesitated.
“Several months.”
Matteo's jaw tightened.
“Before the affair?”
“Yes.”
Silence.
Then Matteo stood.
“Get Camille.”
Luca shook his head.
“She disappeared.”
Matteo stared.
“What?”
“She left her apartment yesterday.”
Matteo looked toward the window.
For the first time, he understood.
Camille hadn't simply wanted him.
She'd been sent.
And he'd been arrogant enough to believe he was the one making the decisions.
He remembered Vivian standing in the hallway.
Her face.
Her tears.
The way she'd asked how long.
He had told her it meant nothing.
Now he understood how monstrous that answer had been.
It had meant everything.
Her trust.
Their marriage.
Their unborn son.
He sat down slowly.
Then Luca placed another photograph on the desk.
It showed a woman leaving a medical clinic.
Dark coat.
Brown hair.
One hand resting against her pregnant stomach.
Vivian.
Matteo's heart stopped.
“Where was this taken?”
Luca hesitated.
“Wisconsin.”
Matteo stood.
“She's alive.”
“Yes.”
“Is she safe?”
“We don't know.”
Matteo stared at the photograph.
Then Luca said, “Boss, there's something else.”
“What?”
“The photographer wasn't ours.”
Matteo looked up sharply.
“Whose?”
May you like
Luca's expression darkened.
“Salerno's.”
