Chapter 8: Lies Wrapped in Silk

I couldn’t sleep.

The message played on a loop in my head.

“Your husband isn’t the only one with secrets.”

What did that mean? Who was this person?

I sat in the dimly lit bedroom, gripping my phone like it held all the answers. I could feel Dominic’s presence in the penthouse—he was still in his office, working late, as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn’t just pulled the rug out from under me.

I had spent so much time focusing on destroying Dominic, convinced he was my biggest enemy.

But what if I was wrong?

What if there was someone worse lurking in the shadows?

I typed back.

Me: I need proof.

Nothing.

I tried again.

Me: If you’re telling the truth, show me something real.

Still nothing.

I exhaled sharply, tossing my phone onto the nightstand. I hated this—being in the dark, being played. Every second in this penthouse felt like a chessboard where I was two moves behind.

But not for long.

I swung my legs over the bed and stood. If this mysterious informant wasn’t going to hand me answers, I’d find them myself.

And I knew exactly where to start.

Dominic’s office.

The penthouse was silent as I crept through the hallway.

Dominic’s office door was slightly ajar. Light spilled into the darkened hallway, and I could hear the faint clicking of a keyboard.

I peeked inside.

He was there, seated behind his massive mahogany desk, sleeves rolled up, his jaw tight with focus. A half-empty glass of whiskey sat beside him.

I hesitated.

Dominic was dangerous when he was like this—calm, in control. It was the kind of quiet that made people forget just how deadly he could be.

I turned to leave, but then—

“I know you’re there, Sinclair.”

I froze.

Slowly, I stepped into the room.

Dominic didn’t look up from his screen. “Couldn’t sleep?”

“Something like that.”

His lips curled at the edge, but his fingers kept typing. “What do you want?”

I crossed my arms, leaning against the doorframe. “The truth.”

That got his attention.

His hands stilled.

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze locking onto mine. “The truth about what?”

I exhaled slowly. “Why did you really marry me, Dominic?”

A muscle in his jaw ticked.

I had expected him to laugh it off, to throw some smug, sarcastic remark my way. But he didn’t.

Instead, he stood.

And walked toward me.

I didn’t move.

Dominic reached out, tracing a slow, lazy circle against my wrist with his thumb. His touch sent an unwelcome shiver through me.

“Why does it matter?” he asked softly.

I swallowed. “Because I don’t like being lied to.”

His gaze darkened. “Neither do I.”

For a moment, I thought he might actually tell me something real.

But then, his lips twisted into that infuriating smirk.

“You’re searching for ghosts, Sinclair,” he murmured. “Let it go.”

I yanked my hand away. “Not a chance.”

His expression didn’t change. But something shifted in his eyes.

“Then I guess you’ll just have to keep digging,” he said, stepping back. “But be careful—you might not like what you find.”

The challenge was clear.

But I had already decided.

I was going to find out everything.

No matter what it cost me.

****

The next morning, I had a plan.

Step one? Find out who sent that message.

I called Liam.

“Turner,” he answered on the first ring. “I was wondering when you’d reach out.”

“Liam, I need your help.”

“That’s funny,” he said dryly. “Because last night, it looked like you were pretty cozy with your husband.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I don’t have time for this.”

“Then get to the point.”

I inhaled. “Someone texted me. They claimed Dominic isn’t the only one manipulating me. I need you to trace the number.”

There was a long pause.

Then—

“You’re not going to like this.”

My heart slammed against my ribs.

“You already checked, didn’t you?”

Liam exhaled sharply. “The number doesn’t exist, Elena.”

I frowned. “What do you mean it doesn’t exist?”

“I mean, it’s a burner phone. No records. No trace. Whoever sent that message? They don’t want to be found.”

A chill ran down my spine.

“Be careful,” Liam warned. “You’re in deeper than you think.”

He hung up.

I stared at my phone.

The warning from last night echoed in my head.

“Your husband isn’t the only one with secrets.”

Then who else was playing me?

A Family’s Dirty Legacy

I needed answers.

And there was only one place to get them.

My father.

I didn’t wait. I grabbed my coat and headed for the Sinclair estate.

The drive was a blur. My mind was racing, tangled in a thousand questions I didn’t have answers to.

When I arrived, the butler let me in without question.

My father was in his study, seated behind his desk, sipping his morning coffee like he hadn’t just orchestrated my entire downfall.

“Elena,” he said smoothly, setting his cup down. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

I didn’t waste time.

“Why did you agree to this marriage?” I demanded.

He arched a brow. “We’ve been over this.”

“Liar.”

Something flickered in his gaze.

I slammed my hands on his desk. “I got a message last night. Someone told me that Dominic isn’t the only one using me.” I leaned closer. “Tell me, what aren’t you telling me?”

My father sighed, rubbing his temples. “You always were too stubborn for your own good.”

“Tell me the truth.”

He studied me for a long moment. Then—

“You were never supposed to marry Dominic.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut.

“What?” I whispered.

His expression was unreadable. “The original deal wasn’t for you.”

I shook my head. “I don’t—”

And then it clicked.

The sudden shift in the marriage arrangement. The last-minute desperation.

“Oh my God.” I took a step back. “It was supposed to be—”

“Thea.”

My sister.

Thea was supposed to marry Dominic.

Not me.

Everything around me started to spin.

And suddenly, I realized—

I had been a last-minute replacement in a game I didn’t even understand.

But why?

What had happened to Thea?

****

I gripped the edge of my father’s desk, my breath shaky.

“Where is she?” I demanded.

My father’s face was unreadable.

“She’s gone, Elena.”

My stomach dropped. “Gone where?”

He exhaled. “No one knows.”

I stared at him in horror.

My sister—the one who was really supposed to marry Dominic—had disappeared.

And no one knew why.

But I did know one thing.

This marriage? This war with Dominic?

It had never been about me.

I was just a pawn.

And now, I had to find out why.