Chapter 369
I saw Savannah’s expression shift the moment Paula opened her mouth and let that confession fall like a stone in a quiet lake. It wasn’t fear. It wasn’t shock. It wasn’t even disgust.
She looked… proud. Happy, even.
There was the faintest curl of satisfaction on her lips–small, almost invisible, but still there. And I didn’t want to question her year it. Hell, if anything, I was intrigued. Because Savannah probably only smiles like that when justice is served in a court of law… or when karma finally remembers someone’s address.
But it still confused me.
Why did she look satisfied hearing that her sister’s child had suffered the same fate as hers did… but didn’t look half as relieved when I
killed her rapist?
Strange. But I’d take this version of her–cold, sharp, grounded–over the spiraling version any day,
Chloe scoffed loudly, snapping my focus to her. “Oh, please,” she said with a dramatic eye–roll. “Don’t make it sound like something important. It’s not like I even wanted that stupid child anyway. That was your brother’s fault p>
I stared at her. Of course she’d say something like that.
Paula ignored her entirely and continued, “He knew Chloe messed around with girls in college and during her time in LA. He said that’s how he knew I’d be perfect for the job p>
Savannah leaned forward slightly. “You mentioned earlier that Jace saved your life,” she said. “What do you mean? And how did you know my fiancé’s last name? I never mentioned it, Paula p>
Paula’s eyes slid to me with unsettling ease. “I knew who you were the moment I saw you p>
“How?” I asked, my voice low.
“You’re General Blackwood’s son, aren’t you p>
I froze.
Of course. My father’s shadow always found a way into my life. He never failed to embarrass me, curse me and haunt me like a stain 1
couldn’t wash off.
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What the hell had he done now? How did he get entangled with Paula of all people? Was my father responsible for–yet again – another
disaster?
“Did you work for my father?” I asked. My chest tightened, already bracing for the worst.
She shook her head. “No. But your father and his friends ruined my life p>
“What?” Savannah whispered, horrified.
And his friends.
Those three words sank deep in my stomach like a stone. Nothing good ever followed “ my father and his friends. ”
“How do you know my father?” I forced out. I needed the truth, even if it carved into my bones.
Paula held my gaze without blinking. “Your father murdered my father. And his friends covered the crime and kept it out of the news. ”
Savannah gasped behind me, her hand flying over her mouth.
I stepped back in surprise. “What?” I said, though it wasn’t disbelief–it was dread. “Why? How? And how am I supposed to trust what
you’re saying? ”
Paula scoffed. “Your father had my father taken out because he refused to be bribed. My father was a good officer. A clean one. General Blackwood, however…” Her lip curled. “…was running gun smuggling operations and human trafficking, years before he even ran for
presidency p>
My stomach twisted violently. “What p>
“Oh, yes. Your daddy sells little girls and innocent women,” Paula said coldly. “Don’t act like you know nothing p>
“He doesn’t know,” Savannah said quickly. “Don’t you dare pin this on him p>
“I don’t,” I snapped. “How the hell would I know what my father does for fun? I haven’t seen the man in years p>
For a few moments, it was dead silent.
Then Chloe broke it. “What the crazy fuck are all of you talking about?” she demanded. “If we’re going to discuss trafficking like it’s the juicy gossip of the day, I’d love to be excluded. This is far too grotesque for my taste p>
Nobody even turned toward her.
Paula leaned back in her chair, binds adjusting. “You didn’t know?” she asked me mockingly. “Where did you think the money came from? The wealth you grew up in? The luxury you enjoyed your whole life? Where did you think it all came from p>
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Her words sliced into me.
I’d never known struggle. Never known scarcity.
Everything in my childhood had been excessive, expensive, accessible, perfect. Our father provided everything we needed growing up.
And that’s because my father was a high–ranking official–decorated, respected, powerful. The kind of man who walked into a room and
people stood straighter.
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.