Chapter 296
“I signed a paper saying I won’t disclose the information,” Isolde said, tapping her temple. “It doesn’t bind the truth itself. It doesn’t bind DNA tests found by third parties. It doesn’t stop anonymous leaks to investigative journalists from untraceable servers. The world is a very big place, Harper, and secrets have a way of finding their own path to the light — especially when they involve people like Grayson Lancaster.”
Harper grinned, a feral look that matched Isolde’s exactly. “You have a plan.”
“Not yet,” Isolde said. “For now, I build. I focus on the Vanguard contract. I get my power back.”
On the rug, Effie stirred. She rubbed her eyes with her good hand and sat up.
“Mommy?” Effie called out.
Isolde crossed to her immediately, dropping to her knees on the rug. “I’m here, baby. Did you have a good nap?”
Effie nodded. She looked around the room, her eyes drifting to the front door.
“Is Daddy coming home soon?” Effie asked.
Isolde froze. The question hit her like a blow to the chest. This was the hardest part — the collateral damage.
𝘋о𝗐𝘯l𝘰𝘢𝗱𝗮b𝗅𝖾 𝘗𝖣𝖥𝘴 𝘰𝗻 g𝘢l𝗻o𝗏𝘦𝘭s.𝗰𝗼𝘮
She took a deep breath and cupped Effie’s cheek. “No, sweetie. Daddy… Daddy lives in the tower now. In the city.”
Effie’s lower lip trembled. She looked down at her pink cast. “Is it because I broke my arm? Is he mad at me for being clumsy?”
Isolde felt a surge of murderous rage toward Belle, but she forced it down. She pulled Effie into a tight hug.
“No — oh, God, no, Effie,” Isolde said fiercely, kissing the top of her head. “He is not mad at you. You did nothing wrong. Daddy is just… very busy with work.”
Effie nodded against Isolde’s shoulder, accepting the explanation because she needed to. “Okay. Can we build the LEGO rover now?”
“Yes,” Isolde said, wiping a stray tear from her own eye. “We can build anything we want.”
Across the city, Belle was celebrating.
She had opened a bottle of vintage champagne and was dancing around the penthouse living room to loud pop music.
“We won!” Belle cheered, raising her glass. “She signed it, Gray! The secret is safe!”
Grayson sat on the sofa, watching her. He didn’t have a glass. She seemed entirely too happy about legally silencing the mother of his child.
Belle walked over and settled onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Now we can finally focus on Kaiden. He needs a strong father figure, Gray.”
“I am his father figure,” Grayson said, his voice flat. “I’ve always been.”
“I mean publicly, Gray,” Belle pouted, tracing his jawline. “When can we announce it? When can we tell the world we are a family?”
Grayson frowned. He took her hand and moved it away, gently but firmly.
“Announce what?” Grayson asked, his tone sharpening. “I just finalized my divorce today, Belle. My daughter is in a cast. Have some class.”
Belle’s smile vanished. She pouted, quickly hiding the flash of genuine anger behind it. She realized, with a sudden spike of anxiety, that Grayson wasn’t as pliable as he used to be.
The next morning, sunlight flooded the kitchen of the Carson Estate.
Isolde stood at the stove, flipping blueberry pancakes. The smell of butter and maple syrup filled the air — a stark contrast to the sterile hospital smell that still lingered in her memory.
.