Chapter 9 - The Fiancée Who Tried to Buy the Truth|
Vivienne Cross returned to the Moretti mansion at midnight.
I was finishing the laundry when I heard the service door open.
At first, I assumed it was one of the security guards.
Then a familiar voice said, “Sophie.”
I turned.
Vivienne stood beneath the hallway light wearing a dark coat.
Her hair was pulled back.
There was no jewelry.
No engagement ring.
And none of the polished confidence she'd displayed at dinner.
My stomach tightened.
“Miss Cross?”
She stepped closer.
“Where's Adrian?”
“I don't know.”
She laughed bitterly.
“Don't lie to me.”
I took a step backward.
“I'm not lying.”
She looked toward the staircase.
Then lowered her voice.
“I need to speak with you.”
I hesitated.
“About what?”
“Margaret.”
My heart pounded.
“What about her?”
Vivienne reached into her handbag.
I instinctively moved backward.
But she only removed a thick envelope.
She placed it on the laundry counter.
“Fifty thousand dollars.”
I stared.
“What?”
“Take it.”
I didn't move.
Vivienne sighed.
“It's enough to pay for your brother's nursing school. Enough to help your family.”
My blood went cold.
She knew about Ethan.
Of course she did.
She'd spent months reminding me that a housemaid was replaceable.
“What do you want?” I whispered.
“Convince Margaret to stop talking.”
I stared at her.
Vivienne continued.
“Tell her Adrian has found Daniel. Tell her she doesn't need to give another statement.”
I shook my head.
“Why?”
“Because the investigators are twisting everything.”
I looked at the envelope.
Then back at her.
“Your father paid Margaret twenty-five thousand dollars to stay quiet.”
Vivienne's expression hardened.
“And she didn't take it.”
“She kept it untouched.”
“Exactly.”
Vivienne stepped closer.
“She could have had a comfortable life.”
I stared.
“You think this is about money?”
“Everything is about money, Sophie.”
I felt something change inside me.
For two years, I'd worked quietly in that mansion.
I'd cleaned rooms.
Carried trays.
Smiled when guests barely acknowledged my existence.
I'd saved every dollar I could to help Ethan finish school.
And I'd been terrified of losing my job.
But standing before Vivienne, I suddenly realized that fear could become a prison of its own.
“No.”
She blinked.
“What?”
“I won't take it.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Don't be stupid.”
I pushed the envelope toward her.
“Margaret deserves to tell the truth.”
Vivienne's expression twisted.
“You think Adrian cares about you?”
I said nothing.
She stepped closer.
“You're a maid. When this is over, he'll forget your name.”
My face burned.
But I lifted my chin.
“Maybe.”
Vivienne smiled cruelly.
“Then why risk everything?”
I looked directly at her.
“Because Daniel didn't deserve twenty-two years of being forgotten.”
For several seconds, she stared.
Then she reached for the envelope.
“You'll regret this.”
A voice came from the hallway.
“No, Vivienne.”
We both turned.
Adrian stood near the doorway.
Marco was beside him.
Vivienne's face went white.
“Adrian.”
He looked at the envelope.
Then at me.
“Sophie, are you all right?”
I nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
He turned toward Vivienne.
“You tried to pay another woman to stay silent.”
She began crying.
“Adrian, please.”
He shook his head.
“You knew my brother was alive.”
“I didn't know everything!”
“You knew enough.”
She covered her face.
“My father told me Daniel was dangerous. He said the Moretti family would be destroyed if anyone found him.”
Adrian stared.
“And you believed him?”
She hesitated.
“I wanted to.”
His expression changed.
“Why?”
Vivienne looked up.
Tears streamed down her face.
“Because I wanted to marry you.”
The silence was painful.
She continued.
“I wanted this life. The house. The security. The way everyone looked at me when I entered a room.”
Adrian stared at her.
“You wanted my name.”
Vivienne began sobbing.
“Yes.”
He closed his eyes.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he looked toward Marco.
“Call Detective Ramirez. Vivienne has information the investigators need.”
Vivienne's expression collapsed.
“You're giving me to the police?”
Adrian's voice was quiet.
“I'm asking you to tell the truth.”
She shook her head.
“My father will destroy me.”
Adrian looked at her.
“Your father has spent twenty-two years destroying my family.”
Vivienne covered her mouth.
Then something unexpected happened.
She slowly lowered her hands.
Her expression changed.
Not to anger.
Not to contempt.
But exhaustion.
“I know where he is.”
Adrian went still.
“Where?”
Vivienne swallowed.
“He's planning to leave the country.”
“From where?”
“A private hangar near Rockford.”
Adrian looked toward Marco.
His security chief was already reaching for his phone.
Vivienne continued.
“He has the original records from Daniel's accident.”
Adrian stared.
“What records?”
May you like
Her voice broke.
“The ones proving he knew Daniel was alive before your father ever arrived at the hospital.”
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