Chapter 16 - THE PRICE OF A LIE
Camille sat in the chair beside Vivian's bed.
“I need you to understand something,” she said. “I didn't begin this because I wanted Matteo.”
Vivian laughed once, without humor.
“That's a strange thing to say after kissing him.”
“I know how it sounds.”
“It sounds exactly like what happened.”
Camille accepted the accusation.
“Stefan approached me last spring. He knew I was in debt. He offered to pay it if I helped him get access to the estate's financial office.”
“And you agreed.”
“Yes.”
“Then what?”
“He wanted me to get close to Matteo. He believed Matteo would share information with me that he wouldn't share with his accountants.”
Vivian looked away.
“Did you sleep with him?”
Camille did not answer quickly enough.
Vivian closed her eyes.
“Don't lie to me now.”
“Yes.”
The word seemed to drain the room of warmth.
Camille continued, her voice breaking.
“I told myself it was temporary. That I was helping Stefan expose something. Then I started wanting the attention. Matteo was kind to me when I was useful. I let myself believe it meant more.”
“You knew he was married.”
“Yes.”
“You knew I was pregnant.”
“Yes.”
“And you still did it.”
Camille began to cry.
Vivian looked at her sister and felt no satisfaction at seeing her suffer. Only exhaustion.
“What changed?”
“I found the transfer records. Stefan wasn't trying to take the company from Matteo. He was trying to make you the person who took the money. Your signature was on every document. The trust was set up so that if you were arrested or declared unfit, Stefan could petition for control of the assets.”
“And the baby?”
“He wanted the child placed under a family guardianship until the case was settled. He said a newborn Draven heir couldn't be allowed to grow up outside the family.”
Vivian's hand tightened over her stomach.
“Matteo knew?”
“He knew about the financial scheme. I don't know how much he knew about the guardianship plan.”
“That's not an answer.”
“I know.”
Camille pushed the envelope closer.
Inside were copies of a draft guardianship petition, a forged statement about Vivian's mental health, and an email from Stefan to the family attorney.
The subject line read: AFTER THE BIRTH.
Vivian's mouth went dry.
The petition described her as emotionally unstable, financially compromised, and vulnerable to manipulation. It recommended that Matteo receive sole custody until she could be evaluated.
“He planned to take my son.”
Camille nodded.
“Stefan wanted control of the family trust. The baby was leverage.”
Vivian looked at her sister.
“Why tell me now?”
“Because Stefan has decided I'm expendable. He knows I copied the documents. He sent two men to my apartment last night.”
Camille's voice shook.
“I got out because I heard them coming.”
For the first time, Vivian saw the fear beneath her sister's polished arrogance.
She did not forgive her.
But she understood that the danger was no longer confined to the marriage.
“Give the envelope to my lawyer,” Vivian said.
“I don't have a lawyer.”
“Then you'll need one.”
Camille nodded.
At the door, she turned back.
“Vivian?”
“What?”
“I really am sorry.”
Vivian looked at her.
“I believe you regret it. That isn't the same as forgiveness.”
Camille left.
A moment later, Dr. Patel returned to check the monitor.
The baby's heartbeat remained steady.
May you like
Vivian placed her palm over the small curve of her stomach.
“I'm going to keep you safe,” she whispered.
