CHAPTER 100

SOPHIA I had already decided I was going to tell Ryder everything about this issue. I couldn't get the answers I needed from Celeste, but I was done because it felt like the more I dug, the more confused I got.The drive home felt longer than usual. [Ask Elizabeth what she named her.] That was the only thing circling endlessly in my mind all the way home.Ryder was in the kitchen when I walked in. His sleeves were rolled up, he was halfway through preparing dinner like it was any ordinary evening. It could be for him, but for me it was more than that."Hey baby." He glanced up, smiling easily at me. "You're later than I expected. Is everything alright?"I couldn't smile back, I just stood in the doorway looking at him like I had seen a ghost. I was trembling slightly even as I tried to hold myself. I didn't know how to start talking, at the same time, I didn't know how he would react to what I was about to say. He must have noticed the weird way I was standing and looking at him, bec

CHAPTER 101

SOPHIA I invited Nora over for lunch. That was the simplest excuse I could think of. For the first time, I was so nervous to meet Nora. I told Nora it was the two of us catching up after a long time, and how I had missed her and wanted to spend a little time with her. It was ordinary and harmless the kind of thing a woman who had always treated Nora like family would naturally suggest.And trust Nora to hurriedly pick a location. She was so happy that she even started the discussion before we even saw each other face to face. At some point I felt guilty because what she didn't know was that I intended to leave with something of hers tucked quietly into my purse before she left.She arrived unguarded, warm and easy the way she always was with me. She was already smiling from the door, the moment Marta showed her through, she pulled me into a hug."It smells amazing in here," she said, glancing toward the kitchen. "What did you make?""Nothing fancy,” I gestured for her to sit on the

CHAPTER 102

NORA You know that feeling when you are confused about something, and you try to get answers and get more confused, that is what is happening to me in Elizabeth's case. That word she said last before she left, *I should have ended it, instead of letting it grow.* it kept circling back into my head, and I knew that if I didn't talk about it, I might start having sleepless nights."I can't stop thinking about it," I said, walking into Liam's study. He looked up immediately, setting his pen down. "Elizabeth?""Yeah." I fell on the couch and pulled my knees up slightly. "What do you think she meant?""I don't know." He leaned back on his chair. "I've turned it over a dozen times myself, and it didn't sound like she was talking about business, Lillian, or anything we already know about."“You feel so too right?” I stepped in hurriedly. "It sounded personal," I said slowly. "Almost like a regret.""Regret over what, though?"I shook my head in frustration. "I don't know… Should we ask her

Chapter 103

LIAM I didn’t want to bother Nora with news of investigating Elizabeth. After our encounter with Elizabeth at the fundraiser, I have been investigating her closely. Everything looks okay now… no Elara, no Elizabeth, and of course no Lillian, but that doesn't mean they've given up, so I am monitoring them now because I don't want them to take me by surprise.Nora kicked off her heels the moment we stepped through the front door, and dropped her shoulders like she'd been holding them up all day.“You must be really tired,” I said, smiling.“You have no idea.” She padded barefoot toward the sitting room. “At this point,” she turned back with a small frown. “I think I want to be a full-time housewife.”“Please resign, baby.” I pulled her towards me. “And spend all my money.”“Really?” She pulled back so she could see my face.e“Dead serious, baby.” I gave her a quick kiss on her forehead. “I mean, why do I have money? You could buy the whole of this city, and I still won't go broke.”She

Chapter 104

NORA Liam had started kissing me before I even opened my eyes. It was slow and unhurried. The kind of kiss that screams, don't leave the bed. I didn't bother opening my eyes, I lay there and allowed him to press another kiss to the corner of my mouth, then my jaw, then the spot just below my ear that always made me forget what I was thinking."Mmm…" "Good morning, sunshine," Liam murmured against my skin.I opened one eye to look at his face. He looked lazy for someone supposed to be getting ready for work. His hair was rumpled, and his shirt half-buttoned,"Good morning," I said, my voice still thick with sleep. "What time is it?""Early enough to be awake."I opened both eyes now because he was sounding too relaxed. I reached for my phone on the nightstand and double-tapped the screen, and it lit up immediately. “Liam!” I tried to get up. “It's almost eight, I have the Haven Resort review at nine.""Mm…hm." He said lazily, but he didn't move.“Liam…” I softened my voice. “I need

CHAPTER 105

ELIZABETH I left the crystal glass in my hand to crash on the floor. I had been holding it for so long that the whiskey inside no longer smelled of anything but my own nerves.The door to my study was pushed open.“Is everything okay, ma'am?” The security guard who rushed in asked.“Get out.” I managed to say calmly, but he moved closer.“Ma'am, the glass is broken, I should call…”“Get out!” I yelled.He nodded and quickly ran out of my study. I walked slowly to my chair and sat down, so no one would see the tremor in my fingers. This room has always been my favourite room… It was orderly and predictable. Nothing in it had ever gotten out of hand in this room, until tonight.Liam's voice echoed in my head again. [We know about Lillian.] These words have stayed with me since the fundraiser, and Nora… the boldness she embodied that day was so strong you could see she no longer needed permission to stand in a room. I had made one mistake, and that was trusting Lillian because I truste