Chapter 50
ELIZA
The cold air nipped at my skin as I stood in the shadows, watching Raina from a distance. Her laugh rang out faintly, carried by the breeze, and it felt like a knife slicing through my chest. She thought she had won, didn’t she? She thought she had taken everything–Alex, the spotlight, the life I deserved. But she was wrong.
This was only the beginning.
I tightened my coat around me, biting back a shiver as I replayed the past few days in my mind. Every painstaking moment of stalking her, every fragment of information I’d gleaned, had led me here. The truth about Dominic being her brother had been a revelation, but it wasn’t enough. Not yet. And then there was Liam the child Alex and Raina had fought so hard to protect. If only I could get my hands on that little bastard, to finish what I started.
But Alex had to ruin everything by teaming up with that stupid bitch to keep him safe.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling me from my thoughts. Vanessa’s name flashed on the screen. Finally. I cursed under my breath and answered. “Where the hell have you been?”
Vanessa’s voice was chipper, as if she hadn’t just ignored my calls. Relax, Eliza. What’s the rush?”
I wasn’t in the mood for her games. “Meet me at our spot. Now.”
The coffee shop was warm, a stark contrast to the chill outside. Vanessa arrived late, as usual, striding in with a carefree air that made my blood boil.
“About time,” I snapped as she slid into the seat across from me. “I thought you were going to stand me up.”
Vanessa smirked, brushing imaginary lint off her sleeve. “You know I’d never do that, darling. I just got held up.”
“I don’t care about your excuses,” I said, waving off her attempt at small talk. “What’s going on with Alex?”
Vanessa sighed dramatically, taking a slow sip of her coffee. “Well, for starters, he found out about Dominic being Raina’s
brother.”
I rolled my eyes in my mind. I raised an eyebrow, Unimpressed. That was old news to me, but it was good Vanessa didn’t keep that away from from me, there would have been a problem.
Vanessa continued, “And Dominic’s single now. You know what means? I can finally have him to myself. Although Raina thinks she can stop that by..” I narrowed my eyes. Interuppting her usual self–absorbed yapping. “Vanessa, focus. This isn’t about you.”
She frowned, leaning back in her chair. “Fine. But you should know that Alex has been acting weird lately. Like, pining after Raina. It’s almost like he wants her back or something.”
Her words hit me like a slap, and I nearly screamed in frustration. “That bitch is ruining everything!”
Vanessa recoiled slightly, but I wasn’t done. “She knows, Vanessa. About Liam.”
Her expression faltered, her lips parting in that telltale way that meant she was hiding something.
“What?” I demanded, narrowing my eyes.
“Well…” Vanessa hesitated, then blurted, “She found her phone. Technically the SD card with the recording.”
My blood ran cold. “What recording?”
Vanessa fidgeted under my glare, finally admitting, “The one Raina made of you while you were… you know, trying to hurt Liam.”
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+25 BONUS
towe Ales could tweet see that ricording. If he did, he wouldn‘
‘d kill me with his bare hands.
11hed a valm I didn’t fert and said through gritted teeth, “1’ll fire ont hose to get it back. Don’t screw this up any more than was already have.”
After leaving the rafe, I didn’t waste any time. Vanessa had been useful, but her inability to think beyond her petty vendettas made her a liability. It I wanted to pull this off, I had to rely on soone inch more reliable.
Slipping into the back seat of my car, 1 scrolled through my phone and called Alex’s secretary. The little mole had proven her worth time and again, eager to feed me tidbits in exchange for a few well–placed compliments and the occasional gift.
When she answered, her voice was hesitant, almost unsure. “Hello, Miss Eliza.”
I didn’t bother with pleasantries. “Tell me,” I said curtly, “what’s on Alex’s schedule this week?”
There was a brief pause, the sound of shuffling papers in the background. “Um… I’m not sure I should
“Don’t waste my time,” I cut her off sharply. “I’ve kept your secrets, haven’t I? Do you want me to reconsider our little arrangement?”
Her silence was answer enough. After a moment, she sighed. “There’s a charity event at the end of the week. It’s… a big one. Everyone who’s anyone will be there. The Grahams are the headliners.”
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