Chapter 10 - Blood Doesn't Make Betrayal Disappear|
Lydia had imagined many versions of the day she would see Evelyn again.
In some, Evelyn screamed.
In others, she slapped her.
Sometimes Lydia imagined her older sister collapsing into tears and begging to understand what had happened.
But she had never imagined Evelyn sitting calmly across from her in a federal conference room.
There was no expensive jewelry on Evelyn's hands.
No diamond wedding ring.
No designer dress.
She wore a simple navy sweater and black pants.
Her hair was tied behind her head.
Yet Lydia had never seen her look more confident.
Nora sat beside Evelyn.
A federal investigator remained near the door.
The meeting had been arranged after Lydia contacted Elena Brooks and offered to provide information about Victor Sloane.
She had been advised that cooperation might affect the charges she could face.
Nobody had promised her immunity.
"Hello, Evie," Lydia whispered.
Evelyn looked at her.
"Hello, Lydia."
The lack of warmth was devastating.
Lydia sat down.
"I've missed you."
Evelyn said nothing.
Lydia twisted her hands.
"Damian has been impossible since you left."
"That's not my problem."
"He barely sleeps."
"Neither did I."
Lydia flinched.
"Evie, please."
Evelyn leaned forward.
"Did you come here to talk about Damian's feelings, or did you come to tell the truth?"
Lydia's eyes filled.
"I don't know where to start."
"Start with the money."
The directness startled her.
Lydia glanced toward the investigator.
Then she lowered her voice.
"Victor approached me last January."
"He said the foundation could make extra income by renting unused storage capacity."
"Did you believe him?"
"At first."
"Then what?"
Lydia swallowed.
"He started asking me to approve documents without showing you."
"And you did."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Lydia looked down.
"Because he said I was more capable than you gave me credit for."
Evelyn felt a familiar pain beneath her ribs.
She remembered Lydia calling her late at night, complaining that nobody respected her.
She remembered increasing her salary.
She remembered introducing her to donors and trusting her with important responsibilities.
None of it had been enough.
"Did you know the shipments contained weapons?" Evelyn asked.
"Not in the beginning."
"When did you know?"
Lydia hesitated.
"During the summer."
Evelyn stared at her.
"The summer?"
Lydia nodded miserably.
"Victor told me what was happening after I questioned one of the shipments."
"And you kept signing documents."
"He said I was already involved."
"He said if I went to the police, he'd make sure I was blamed for everything."
Nora spoke quietly.
"Did he threaten you physically?"
Lydia shook her head.
"Not then."
"What did he threaten?"
"My accounts."
Lydia took a shaky breath.
"I borrowed money from one of his companies."
Evelyn closed her eyes.
"How much?"
"Two hundred thousand dollars."
"For what?"
Lydia began crying.
"Investments that failed."
Evelyn remembered the financial emergencies she had quietly resolved for Lydia over the years.
She wondered how many mistakes had been concealed behind invented explanations.
"And Damian?" Evelyn asked.
Lydia looked confused.
"What about him?"
"How long have you wanted my husband?"
The room fell silent.
Lydia's face burned.
"Evie—"
"Please don't insult me with another lie."
Lydia stared at her sister.
Then her shoulders collapsed.
"Since the first Christmas I spent at the estate."
Evelyn felt the words like a blade.
That Christmas, she had given Lydia a room overlooking the winter garden.
She had bought her presents, invited her friends, and told Damian that her sister needed somewhere she could feel at home.
Lydia had spent the holiday watching Evelyn's husband.
"Did Damian encourage you?" Evelyn asked.
"Not at first."
"Then when?"
Lydia wiped her face.
"A few months ago, when he started asking questions about you."
"About Marco."
"Yes."
Lydia's voice became smaller.
"I told him you seemed unhappy."
"You knew I was unhappy."
"Yes."
"And you used it."
Lydia began sobbing.
"I thought if he realized you didn't appreciate him, maybe he'd see me."
Evelyn looked at her sister for a long moment.
"Did you love him?"
Lydia hesitated.
"I thought I did."
"Or did you want the life you believed he gave me?"
Lydia could not answer.
Evelyn leaned back.
For years, she had tried to be everything Lydia needed.
Mother, sister, protector, employer, rescuer.
She had believed love meant never allowing Lydia to fall.
Now she understood that constantly catching someone could prevent them from learning to stand.
"Give the investigators whatever you brought," Evelyn said.
Lydia reached into her bag.
She produced a work phone and a sealed envelope.
"The phone has messages from Victor."
"Some are about the shipments."
"Others are about the accounts."
The investigator collected the items.
Lydia hesitated before releasing the envelope.
"There's also a recording."
Evelyn looked up.
"Of what?"
"Victor telling me what would happen if I stopped cooperating."
Nora nodded toward the investigator.
"Make sure it's preserved properly."
The investigator took the envelope.
Lydia looked back at Evelyn.
"I know I hurt you."
"Yes."
"I know I betrayed you."
"Yes."
"But you're still my sister."
Evelyn took a slow breath.
"Being my sister gave you a place in my heart."
"It didn't give you permission to destroy my life."
Lydia's face crumpled.
"Can you ever forgive me?"
Evelyn looked at her.
"I don't know."
The answer was quiet and sincere.
For the first time, Evelyn refused to offer comfort simply because her sister was crying.
"But whether I forgive you or not, you still have to take responsibility."
Lydia nodded.
"I will."
The meeting ended shortly afterward.
As Lydia stood to leave, she turned back.
"Evie?"
Evelyn stopped.
"I really did love you."
Evelyn's eyes filled with tears.
"I know."
She swallowed.
"That's what makes it hurt so much."
Lydia left the room.
Twenty minutes later, as she waited for her attorney in the federal building's lobby, her phone vibrated.
An unknown number had sent a message.
You think talking to the government makes you safe?
A second message appeared.
You know what happens to people who betray me.
Lydia's hands began shaking.
Then a photograph arrived.
It showed the rear entrance to the Russo estate.
May you like
The message beneath it contained only four words.
We are not finished.
