Page 20 of Of Vows and Betrayal

She’s a Bergotti,my brain reminds me once more.

I nod, giving Julia a polite smile. “Thanks for the information.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “Just make sure you keep her safe. If anything happens to Phee, there will be hell to pay.”

“I understand,” I say, rolling up my window and starting the car.

As I drive away, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s much more to Ophelia than meets the eye.

I head toward the office, my mind buzzing with questions and plans. Ophelia is becoming a more complex puzzle, and I’m determined to piece it together, no matter the cost.

By the next day, I feel a little calmer driving to the Bergotti’s estate. A plan is forming in my mind, and it gives me a sense of control. It’s clear that Ophelia shared something far deeper with her former bodyguard than she led everyone to believe—something that I suspect her father saw and wanted him to disappear for.

The estate looms ahead, an imposing structure surrounded by high walls and heavy gates. I’m waved through by the guards, who recognize me now, and I drive up the long, winding driveway to the main house. It’s a symbol of power, wealth, and fear, everything the Bergotti name represents.

I park the car and step out, taking a moment to compose myself. I need to play this carefully. My mission is to make Ophelia my ally, willingly or not, and if I can figure out all her secrets along the way and use them as leverage? All the better.

As I walk to the entrance, the heavy front door opens, and I’m greeted by the housekeeper. “Good morning,” she says, moving from the door and inviting me in. “Ms. Bergotti is in the library. Would you like me to take you there?”

“I’ll find my way,” I say, wanting a moment to look at the house, maybe see where I could put listening devices.

Derek said the lockdown of the house yesterday was a full house raking to find any listening devices. Now that it’s done, I should be good for a few months, but I need to play it smart.

She nods and steps aside. I make my way down the long hall, the silence of the house almost as oppressive and intimidating as the exterior. Marble floors, high ceilings, and expensive artwork everywhere you look. I reach the library door and pause for a moment before pushing it open.

Ophelia is sitting by the window, a book in her hands. She looks up as I enter, her expression unreadable. She glances down at her watch and startles.

“Javier, hi!” she says, jumping from her seat and resting her book on the console. “I lost track of time.”

I take a couple of steps into the library and glance at the title of the book she’s so absorbed in. “Frankenstein?” I can’t help but say aloud. “That’s not something I expected anyone to get lost in.”

She grimaces, her cheeks turning pink. “Ah, you’ll think I’m weird, but I like it. Victor’s journey resonates with me somehow. The feelings of loneliness and the impact of losing loved ones.” She waves her hand dismissively. “It’s nothing.”

I don’t believe her. It’s not nothing. She keeps challenging my perception of her, and despite it all, I don’t think she’s lying—the loneliness is etched deep in her eyes. Fuck, I wish it were a lie. Itneedsto be a lie.

I detail her, dressed in her blue jeans and hoodie; she once again doesn’t fit the bill. I don’t like when the puzzle pieces don’t fit the way they should.

“Are you okay?” I ask, genuinely curious.

“Yes, everything is fine.” She forces a smile.

“Talk to me,” I insist. It’s too early to push; the calculator in me knows that—the Javier who’s hunting for leads knows that—but somehow, my concern right now is driven more by curiosity than by my revenge scheme.

“Every time I go to the flower shop, it just gets me down at the same time as it makes me feel good. It’s complicated even for me to understand, and I had an online friend, Jenna—she was the girl I was supposed to meet the day of—” She touches her neck, which now only has a very thin pink scar, but yet again it makes me feel really uncomfortable. “Anyway, I think she witnessed everything because she told me my life seemed a little too messy for us to be friends.” She shrugs, but I see the way her shoulders slump a little, and I am irritated at Derek. Not only because he cut one of my direct lines to her but for the genuine sadness it seemed to cause her.

“She’s not wrong though; this life is messy, and that, topped with the visit to the store…” She picks up the book and puts it back on the shelf.

“Well, if you dislike it so much, just walk away.” I don’t mean for my voice to sound as hard as it does, and I curse myself at the hurt that flashes in her eyes. I was making progress, and I fear that one word may destroy it all.

She looks at me, not saying anything, and there’s a weariness in her green eyes. I’m about to apologize when she turns around.

“I don’t want to be late. Let me go tell my father I’m leaving.”

I follow her wordlessly to his office, and she nods at the guard, who winks at her. I frown, not really liking the familiarity.

Unless I throw her a quick glance, is she the type to flirt her way around?

She knocks, and her father tells her to come in. I follow her in, concentrating more on the decor now. The man does have a passion for boats, I can’t help but notice as I look at all the models in the glass showcase.

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