Page 82 of Legacy

My gut told me he was holding back something. “What aren’t you telling me?”

He pulled out his phone. “This isn’t a clear video considering the angle of the recording, but you can hear the conversation. It’s from the last meeting.”

Voice 1: Make sure you have everyone in position.

Voice 2: Does she suspect you’re planning this?

Eli: No, and I will do everything to make sure it stays that way.

Voice 2: You’re dead if she finds out.

Eli chuckles: I know. I’m late. Keep to the plan.

Voice 1: Don’t forget. Ozias wants her sisters first, then your wife.

Eli: Make sure you’re ready. I know my role.

The recording stopped, and we sat in silence.

He’d played me. A heavy weight settled on my shoulders, and there was nothing else to do but move forward.

“I’m sorry, Avra.” Vik’s voice conveyed nothing but disappointment. “I’ve never seen you so happy. The last thing I would do is take it from you, especially not like this.”

“You didn’t do this. Neither of you did. You saved us.” I stared, seeing nothing but a haze before me. Then, my mind cleared. I wanted to hear the whole conversation. What else had he said about me?

“Is there more to the recording?”

“That’s all the soldiers sent me.”

I gritted my teeth. “Send it to my phone.”

“You already have it.”

I nodded and stared down at the photos again.

I’d believed him, trusted him, opened my heart, and fell in love with him.

How could he stoop so far and low to make a fool out of me?

Yes, fucking was part of marriage but tricking me into imagining this could be real between us. Not an arranged marriage like a business transaction, but one with emotions and connection.

Laya’s information, the pictures, and the recording lined up too perfectly to be coincidences.

No matter how much I wished for it, I couldn’t pretend away the truth.

“Avra,” Vik said in a tone I hadn’t heard since that night so long ago.

The night I lost my parents and the only home I’d ever known.

“Go to your room and take a few moments. Even your Papa allowed himself to grieve betrayal.”

Not saying anything, I took the folder and moved down the hallway leading into my bedroom, going straight to the bathroom vanity.

I gazed at my reflection.

I should have known.

I should have fucking known something like this would happen.

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