Chapter Six: Cracks In The Perfect Lie

Isla POV

Elias walked into the dining room without a word and took the seat across from me. Vivienne remained at the head of the table, back straight, wineglass still in her hand.

“Elias,” she said calmly. “How nice of you to finally join us.”

He poured himself some wine. “I didn’t realize I was being missed.”

I glanced at him, trying to figure out if he had overheard anything earlier, but he barely glanced at us, so I couldn’t tell.

“I see the two of you have been catching up,” he said.

“My daughter-to-be is finally back home,” Vivienne replied. “We had a few things to discuss.”

“I’m sure.” He reached for his fork. “If I’m interrupting, I can leave.”

I let out a quiet breath. Beside me, Vivienne’s shoulders relaxed just a fraction.

“Can we please get through one dinner without an argument?” She took another sip of her wine.

Elias gave a short, mocking laugh. “You’re the

one who started it.”

The staff came in carrying more food than three people could ever finish… barbecued pork, broccoli salad, pasta in a creamy sauce, mashed potatoes and vegetables.

Vivienne’s eyes moved to me. “Now, can we have dinner like a normal family? Isn’t that what you wanted, Celeste?”

I forced myself to smile. “Of course.” I lowered my eyes to my plate.

Elias barely touched his food. Vivienne noticed.

“The doctor called me this afternoon,” she said. “You’ve been refusing some of your sessions.”

“I’ve been going.”

“Not consistently. You have no idea how many people are waiting for you to recover.”

“I know.”

“Do you?” There was an edge in her voice now. “You have responsibilities. You can’t hide behind your injury forever.”

He clenched his jaw. “I never said I wanted to.”

“Then act like it.”

He pushed his plate away. “I don’t want to talk about this tonight.”

“You don’t get to choose.”

“Mother.” He set his hands down on the table with a quiet thud.

Vivienne held his gaze, then looked away. “Fine.”

I reached for my glass. “Can we not do this tonight? We’re finally having dinner together.”

But Vivienne muttered something and Elias immediately pushed his chair back.

“I’ve lost my appetite. Goodnight, Celeste.” He turned to Vivienne. “Goodnight, Mother.”

He walked out before either of us could stop him.

A butler hurried in and whispered something in Vivienne’s ear. Whatever he said wiped the irritation from her face.

“I have to take care of something.” She stood. “I may be gone for a while. Keep an eye on Elias.”

She walked out with the butler close behind. Something had happened. I just didn’t know what.

————————————————————————————-

I never found out what had pulled Vivienne away that night. I didn’t ask.

The weekend came quickly. With Vivienne still gone, I accompanied Elias to most of his sessions, even with the cameras following us. This time, his therapy was scheduled at the estate.

I sat on a bench in the garden with a mug of coffee, watching him work with the therapist. The morning air was cool, and the scent of blossoms drifted through the garden. Elias seemed more relaxed without his mother around.

“That’s enough for today,” the therapist said, lowering the resistance band. “There’s noticeable progress with your mobility. We’ll know more once your brain scan results come in.” She gathered her things and left.

“Celeste.” Elias waved me over.

I walked toward him. “You did well.”

“I know.” He grinned, wiping the sweat from his face. “You sound surprised.”

“I was only impressed.”

He started packing his things. “I heard Mother is coming back today.”

His face tensed at the mention of her.

“I need a favour,” he said.

“What is it?”

“Help me keep her away from me today. After what happened the other night, it’s better if I stay out of her way for a while. I’m heading out to get a few things.”

“She cares about you.”

“That’s what she wants everyone to believe.” He gave me a small, pleading look. “Will you help me?”

“Alright. Fine.”

“Thank you.” He touched my cheek lightly. “Don’t stay out too long. The sun is stronger than it looks.”

I watched him disappear toward the house, then sat back on the bench and sipped my coffee. I just had to keep this up a little longer.

————————————————————————————-

When I returned inside, the house was already busy. Staff moved back and forth preparing for Vivienne’s return. I headed to the kitchen to drop off my mug. Margaret was directing two of the staff. She noticed me and walked over.

“Miss Celeste. Do you need anything?”

“No. I just wanted to leave this here.”

“Let me take it for you.” She took the mug. “Mrs. Hargrove will be back soon. There’s still a lot to do.”

“I can tell.”

“If you need me, you know how to reach me.”

“Thank you, Margaret.”

I left her and was about to climb the stairs when something caught my eye. A staff member came out of a door around the corner carrying a stack of boxes, then shut it behind him.

I walked toward the corner. The door looked old and forgotten. I glanced back toward the kitchen. Margaret was still busy.

I tried the handle. Locked.

I pulled a pin from my hair, one of the first tricks Naomi ever taught me and worked it into the lock until it clicked open.

Dust hit me the moment the door opened. The curtains were drawn, leaving only a thin strip of light. Cobwebs spread across the corners. Canvases stood stacked against every wall. It was an art studio, long abandoned.

I moved between the paintings until I found one covered by a brown sheet, larger than the rest. I pulled it back.

Celeste, painted to perfection, more striking than any photograph I had seen.

Behind it, half-hidden among empty frames, was another canvas. Celeste. Elias. Vivienne. And the same dark-haired man from the photograph standing beside them like he belonged there.

Who was he? Why had no one ever mentioned him?

I reached toward the painting. My elbow caught a small frame on the shelf. It slipped and hit the floor, glass shattering with a loud snap.

I froze and listened. Nothing.

I crouched and picked up the frame. It was the same man, only this time he stood much closer to Celeste. Her hand rested on his arm. Both of them were smiling in a way that didn’t look like it was meant for a camera.

What was he to her?

I wrapped the broken frame in a cloth and hurried out of the room, nearly running into Margaret.

“Miss Celeste?” She looked at the wrapped cloth in my hand. “Where did you get that?”

“Do you know this man?”

Her eyes stayed fixed on the frame. “You went in there? You shouldn’t have.”

“Why? What’s in there that I’m not supposed to see?”

“I need you to hand that over.” She held out her hand.

“That’s not an answer.”

Margaret glanced toward the stairs and lowered her voice. “Mrs. Hargrove won’t be happy if she finds out.”

So Vivienne knew him.

“Who is he?”

She hesitated. “Mrs. Hargrove can answer that.”

Before I could ask anything else, she took the frame from my hand and hurried away.

I watched her disappear up the stairs.

What was going on in this house?

I was heading back to my room when I saw Vivienne walking toward her office, phone pressed to her ear. I followed quietly.

She shut the door just as I reached it. I stopped, hand hovering near the knob, and listened.

“He cannot come back here. That’s what I pay you for.” A pause. “I don’t care what it costs. Find out where he is and make sure he stays away.”

My fingers curled against the wood.

“Do you understand me?” Her voice dropped. “I won’t lose everything because of him.”

Lose everything. Who was she talking about?

Was it the same man in the photograph?

I leaned closer, trying to catch more, and never heard the footsteps on the other side of the door.

The door swung open.

Vivienne stood directly in front of me. Her eyes dropped to where I stood, then slowly lifted to my face.

Neither of us spoke. I couldn’t tell what was worse; the silence or the look in her eyes.