Chapter 6

[Holy crap, holy crap! Where did Clara get that evidence?! In the original plot, she never knew about the surgery sabotage!]

[The storyline is completely broken! Gone!]

[Why is this so satisfying though?! Mrs. Brock's face turned completely ghost-white!]

[Wait, how did she figure it out? The timeline is all wrong! She's only six weeks pregnant, and in the book, she died without ever finding out Julian was sterile!]

I watched the text drift past, lifted my cup, and took a quick, calm sip.

I was settled into a guest suite at the Brock Estate.

The room was classically designed with polished mahogany furniture, an embroidered silk screen, and subtle antique porcelain on display.

Arthur had the staff bring over clothes and toiletries. His tone was polite, yet distinctly distant.

"If you need anything at all, Ms. Reed, just ring the bell."

He bowed slightly and quietly closed the door.

I sat by the window seat, watching the sunlight play over the courtyard pool.

The evening sun coated the water in gold as a few red-and-white fish swam lazily beneath the surface.

My phone vibrated in my hand.

A message from Marcus.

[Something is off with Dr. Meyers. He just initiated fast-track immigration paperwork for New Zealand.]

I typed back instantly.

[Got it. Keep tabs on him and notify me the second anything changes.]

At eight in the evening, Arthur knocked on the door to invite me down for dinner.

Victoria was sitting alone at the long dining table.

A simple, four-course home-style meal was laid out in front of her.

"Have a seat," Victoria said, gesturing to the place opposite her. "I wasn't sure what you liked, so I had the kitchen keep it simple."

"Thank you, Mrs. Brock."

I sat down and quietly began eating.

Victoria didn't speak either, and the only sound in the room was the subtle clinking of silverware against porcelain.

Halfway through the meal, Victoria broke the silence.

"How old are you, Clara?"

"Twenty-five."

"And you spent three years with Julian?"

"Yes."

"Do you have a family?"

"My parents passed away," I said quietly. "I have an uncle, but we haven't spoken in years."

Victoria nodded, dropping the topic.

When she finished her meal, she set her fork down and wiped her lips with a cloth napkin.

"I will take care of Julian. You stay here and rest. Tell Arthur if you need anything. I'm having our family doctor come tomorrow morning to give you a full checkup."

"Thank you, Mrs. Brock."

"Don't thank me," Victoria said, her eyes darkening with a complex expression. "I am not doing this for you. I am doing this for the Brock bloodline."

"I understand."

She stood up to leave, but paused right at the dining room doorway.

"Clara."

It was the first time she had used my full name.

"If everything you said is true, you are a savior to this family. But if I find out you lied to me..."

She left the thread hanging, but the threat was crystal clear.

"I wouldn't lie to you," I replied.

Victoria gave me one last long, piercing look before turning on her heel.

I didn't sleep well that night.

The bed was soft and wrapped in fine silk that smelled like sunshine, but my mind was restless.

Dreams flickered through my head.

Julian’s icy stare, Vivienne's sweet, deceptive smile, the pale blue clinic doors, and the endless floating chat text.

I woke up early the next morning.

After a quick wash, I went downstairs. Arthur mentioned that Mrs. Brock was taking a walk in the garden.

I walked out to the courtyard and found Victoria standing by the pond, idly scattering fish food from a small container.

"Good morning, Mrs. Brock."

I walked over to her.

"Good morning," she replied without looking back. "Did you sleep well?"

"Well enough.”