Novels by Selome

Chapter 340The red light blinked softly on my phone screen, steady and unassuming, like a heartbeat. Recording. I sat alone in the study, the curtains drawn even though it was barely past noon. Sunlight pressed against the heavy fabric, determined to intrude, but I needed the darkness. Darkness made it easier to see clearly. Darkness hid expressions—hers and mine. Beatrice Rivers appeared on my screen, walking into the east wing of my father’s mansion as though she still owned the place. As though his blood had not dried beneath her lies. As though she had not shattered what little remained of my childhood with a smile sharp enough to cut bone. She wore cream today. Always cream when she wanted to appear harmless. Soft. Maternal. I zoomed in. Her heels clicked against the marble floor—measured, confident. She paused near the fireplace, checking her reflection in the mirror above it, smoothing a wrinkle that didn’t exist. Then she turned, her smile blooming like poison ivy as a

Chapter 339That’s when my phone buzzed.A text from Cass.“I moved out. I couldn’t stay there anymore. I need to find my own life. I told you before. I’m done letting her control me.”I closed my eyes for a second.Pride.Relief.Fear.All mixed together.Cass was stronger than she thought.But that also meant…Beatrice was alone.Which made her more dangerous.Good.I thought.Which creates more room for mistakes.I moved quickly.I didn’t have much time.I pulled out the small, discreet surveillance equipment I had prepared.Tiny cameras.Hidden microphones.Devices so small they could disappear into decor.I worked like a professional.Living room.Above a bookshelf.Facing the main seating area.Office.Behind a decorative clock.Bedroom hallway.Near the stairs.Kitchen.Laundry area.Even near the back entrance.I placed them in strategic places.My heart raced the entire time.Not from fear.From focus.Every click of a device felt like planting a flag.This is my territory to

Chapter 338Then that meant someone else was standing in the shadows.Someone we hadn’t named yet.Someone closer than we wanted to believe.The room felt colder.Nathan finally said what we were all thinking.“Which means,” he said slowly, “our enemy might not be where we expect them to be.”I sat there while the conversation continued around me.Lucian and Nathan debated logistics.Matthew talked about surveillance.Frank spoke about tightening security.Ava asked questions.Liam offered theories.But my mind…My mind had already gone somewhere else.Somewhere darker.Somewhere personal.Beatrice.The name burned quietly in my chest.I didn’t say it.Not out loud.Because saying it would make it real.Because accusing her without proof would be exactly what she wanted — to look like the victim. To twist the story. To plant doubt.She thrived on chaos.On playing the grieving wife.On pretending to be the misunderstood stepmother.But I knew her too well.I had seen the way her eyes

Chapter 337We gathered in the main living room.Nathan didn’t sit.Neither did Matthew.Both men stood like generals over a war table, even though there was no table. Only questions. Only uncertainty.I sat beside Lucian and Carmen, keeping a close eye on her. Her color was better, but stress still clung to her like a shadow.Frank took a seat across from me, his eyes never leaving my face.Ava perched on the arm of a chair, restless.Liam stood near the wall, quiet, observant.Nathan finally spoke.“Let’s start from facts,” he said. “Not emotions. Not guesses. Facts.”He looked at me. “Three tires punctured. Nails placed deliberately. Gunmen waiting. Pilots drugged earlier. Coordinated timing.”Matthew added, “Which means this was planned days in advance.”Lucian’s jaw tightened. “Someone knew our movements.”The room went quiet.That truth sat heavy.Nathan continued, “Which brings us to the only people with motive and history.”All eyes turned toward Matthew.He didn’t hesitate.“

Chapter 336The hardness in his face evaporated, replaced by a profound, paternal tenderness.​“And you,” Matthew said softly, stepping toward her. “How is the little one?”​Carmen gave a small, fragile smile. “We’re both still here, sir.”​Matthew shook his head, taking her hand in both of his. “None of that ‘sir’ business. You are an Evans now. Which means you and that baby are my responsibility. You aren't alone in this, Carmen. Not ever.”​Carmen’s eyes overflowed then, and she gave a tiny, nodding sob.​Ava rushed into the space next, nearly tackling me. “You don’t get to die on your honeymoon, Elena! That is a gross violation of our friendship contract!” She was half-laughing, half-sobbing, her hands frantically checking my pulse out of habit.​“I’ll try to keep future vacations more boring,” I joked, though my voice was shaky.​Then, there was Liam. He stood back, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, looking like a man who still wasn't sure he deserved to be in the frame.

Chapter 335 ​Two hours later, we were tucked away in a private lounge at the Cabo airport. We had abandoned the idea of a private jet; it was too easy to track, too easy to sabotage. Instead, Nathan’s security team had cleared a First Class cabin on a commercial flight—anonymity in a crowd. ​I hated it. I hated the way we looked over our shoulders. I hated the way Nathan’s hand never left mine—his grip wasn't tight, but it was constant, a tether to reality. ​The flight was a vacuum of time. Carmen spent the duration with her head on Lucian’s shoulder, a blanket pulled up to her chin. She was shielding the life growing inside her from the cold reality of our situation. Lucian sat perfectly still, his eyes fixed on the cabin door, a silent sentinel who looked ready to tear the door off its hinges if someone breathed wrong. ​Nathan stared out at the clouds for hours, his jaw working as he chewed through a thousand different scenarios. I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling the rhy