Whispers Of Betrayal

CHAPTER 6

(Whispers Of Betrayal)

Anna's blood turned to ice, her back pressed against the craved doorframe as if it could shield her.

The word murdered still ricocheted through her head, every syllable sinking deeper. 

They thought she had killed Lauren. They truly thought it.

It's the reason every pair of eyes seemed to burn into her, their suspicion curling like smoke.

Her chest rose and fell too fast, her cheek still stung from Margaret's slap earlier as her pulse thundered, her lips parting as if to deny the unspoken accusation. But no sound escaped. 

She couldn't think. She couldn't talk.

“Insteresting,” Helena purred from her velvet seat, stroking the sleek black fur of her cat curled in her lap. 

Nyx purred as Helena's manicured fingers slid along her spine, its golden eyes blinking lazily.

Nyx. Even the creatures name felt ominous.

Helena's lips curved into a cruel smile. “Imagine that. Sweet, perfect Lauren, silenced forever. And you’re—” her sharp gaze snapped to Anna, “standing here, in her place, as if nothing happened. Almost poetic, isn't it?” She repeated venomously.

“Helena,” Katherine warned, her tone clipped. “That's enough.” 

“Enough?” Helena said, still stroking the cat calmly. 

“Mother please. You expect me to sit here politely while the girl who crawled into Lauren's dress and into William's bed plays the grieving widow? Someone should say aloud what you all refuse to admit.”

Anna's throat burned. “That's not—”

“Not what?” Helena arched a brow, eyes glittering. “Not exactly what happened? You must admit, Anna, your timing is spectacular. If I didn't know better, I'd almost call it strategy.”

Anna's eyes ached with the weight of unshed tears.

Margaret broke first. Her voice trembled with venom. “This… this is her doing. Who else would benefit from my Lauren's death?”

“Margaret—” Vincent's voice was strained, tentative, as he reached for her arm. “We cannot—”

“Don't you dare.” She slapped his hand away as though his touch were poison. “Don't you dare silence me when I speak the truth!”

Vincent pinched the bridge of his nose. His voice breaking on a sigh. “Margaret please. Don't—”

“Don't what?”she whipped toward him, her tone sharp. “Don't speak what everyone is probably thinking? She slithered her way into this house, into Lauren's future and look at her now… sitting at this table like she belongs!” 

Anna's chest constricted. “I never wanted—”

“Oh shut up!” Margaret sneered, cutting her off. “Every look you gave Lauren, every time your greedy eyes lingered on her life… I saw it. You wanted everything that was hers. And now she's dead, you have it all, don't you? The perfect little inheritance from a tragedy,”

“Margaret, please,” Vincent tried again, voice trembling. “She's still my child. This isn’t—”

“Silence, Vincent!” she snapped, her words like a lash across his face. “You never could see her for what she is. But I have. From the moment she opened her eyes, I knew she was a curse. A parasite feeding off this family.”

Vincent’s shoulders sagged, his eyes lowering in defeat.

Anna's heart slammed against her ribs. She tried to speak. To defend herself, her words tangled with fear.

Then Helena's low laugh threaded through the room. She tilted her head. “You know what's most disturbing? The way Anna here assumed Lauren's role so perfectly. Almost as though she has been rehearsing for the role long before Lauren died.”

“Helena!” Olivia rose from her chair, her voice sharp with outrage. “That's cruel, even for you!” 

“Sit down, Liv,” Helena said sweetly, never taking her eyes off Anna.

“I won't!” Olivia's cheeks flushed, tears brimming. “Anna had nothing to do with Lauren's death. She—”

“Shut up Liv.” The words dropped like poison. Helena's hand stilled on the cat. “Your blind loyalty makes you pathetic. Sit before you embarrass yourself further.”

Oliver, jaw tight, shoved his chair back. “That's enough, Helena. Don't you dare speak to her that way.” 

“Oh, Ollie,” Helena purred, voice laced with disdain. “Do you really think your growling makes you look brave? You sound like a dog barking at shadows. Now sit. Both of you.”

Edward's fist hit the armrest of his chair, silencing the riding chaos. “Quiet!” 

The words dropped like a gavel.

But the silence that followed only intensified the weight pressing down on Anna. She could feel suspicion wrapping around her like a noose.

Margaret leaned forward, her gaze fixed on Anna with lethal precision. “Tell me girl,” she said softly.

Too softly.

“What did you whisper to Lauren in her final moments? Did you tell her how lovely her dress looked on you? Did you thank her for stepping aside so neatly?”

“Stop it,” Anna choked, tears escaping her stinging eyes. 

“Answer her,” Helena pressed, stroking Nyx as if savouring every flinch Anna made. “Or is silence your only defense now?”

Anna's lips trembled. “I—I would never hurt Lauren. She was my sister.”

Helena's laugh was sharp and hollow. “Sister? Don't flatter yourself. You were nothing more than a shadow trailing her heels, and now you want us to believe you weep for her? No, darling. Shadows rejoice when the light is snuffed out.”

Anna's chest heaved. Her stepmother's words, Helena's taunts, the silence of those who should have defended her… it was all too much.

Her father's weary eyes met hers. For a fleeting second, Anna thought he might rise, might stand between her and the storm.

But Margaret's hand settled firmly on his arm, nails digging in, and whatever words hovered on his lips died in his throat.

Her heart broke.

Margaret broke the quietness once again.

“Admit it! Admit that you killed my daughter in a fit of unbridled jealousy, you cursed bastard child!”

“Margaret, that's enough! Sit down and keep quiet before I have security escort you out!” Edward thundered.

“You'll do no such thing Edward!”

“Control your wife,” Edward's eyes locked on Vincent, steel hard. “Or I will do it myself.”

Vincent's shoulders sagged under the pressure, his grief and exhaustion etched deep. 

Margaret gave a bitter laugh, tilting her chin upward. “Control me? When the truth sits in plain sight? No, I won't keep quiet while she—”

“I didn't,” Anna whispered, the sound barely audible. “I swear I didn't—”

“Swear louder,” Helena sneered. “Maybe if you shout it enough, you'll start to believe it yourself,” 

“Enough.” William's voice cracked like a whip across the room. He moved from the window at last, each step deliberate. “Helena shut your mouth.” 

The command landed with such authority that even Helena flinched.

“My wife is not on trial in this house,” he said. The words were heavy with authority.

For a flicker of a moment, Anna's lungs expanded. Relief. Until Helena's voice shattered it.

Helena blinked, her lips curled in defiance.

“But she's—”

William's eyes darkened. “Say another word, Helena, and I will remind you what happens when you forget your place.”

The warning was lethal. Helena fell silent, though her glare toward Anna burned hotter than ever.

Katherine cleared her throat, steady and composed. “This conversation ends here. If word of Lauren's pregnancy or… infidelity escapes these walls, the Fairchild name will crumble. And we cannot allow it.”

Edward nodded sharply. “Agreed. Doctor Calloway, this matter must not reach the authorities.” 

Dr Calloway's face paled. “Edward, this was murder. There will be—”

“You are dismissed.” Edward's voice brooked no argument.

The doctor hesitated, then bowed his head, gathering his file and leaving quickly.

As the door shut, the room went still again.

“Edward, She murdered my child. She can't go scot free. She should be hanged for it.”

Edward rose, his voice final. “This matter is closed. The world will be told that Lauren took her own life. That is the only story that will leave this house.”

Margaret let out a broken, furious laugh. “You'll be burying her twice… once in the ground, and once in your lies.”

Edward's hand slammed against the table.

“That's enough! This family will not be torn apart by petty hysterics!” His glare skewered Margaret until she faltered.

Anna stood frozen, her throat dry, as if the walls were closing in.

The family fell into uneasy silence.

William finally moved, his eyes never leaving Anna. “Come.”

That single word wasn't a request.

Her legs trembled as she rose, following him into the darkened hallway.