Page 89 of Legacy

“Queen of understatements as always, Layana.”

“What do you think?” she asked me.

I lifted a brow as if she had asked me to define the meaning of life. “I have a lot of thoughts. Why don’t you ask a more specific question?”

“Do you think Elias knows about any of it?” She furrowed her brow, and then her features softened as though it pained her to ask this. “Do you think he’s in on his father’s plans to deceive you?”

I firmed my lips in a tight press. “I don’t know. From the start, we both went in knowing our marriage was nothing more than a means to an end. A game of deception wrapped up in a business transaction.”

She nodded. “An act.”

“Yes.”

“You saidwas. Notis.”

“Things changed, Laya. Now, I don’t know what to think.” The back of my throat burned. “It’s hard to accept all of it was a lie. That recording. None of it makes sense.”

I thought back to all of my times with him. Each one painted a poignant moment of intimacy. It wasn’t about the intense and addictive sex but the mundane things. Every time we’d shared a meal and talked about business, theories, and life in general. Just being with him had become so much more than a charade. Living with and waking up beside him every morning represented a deep commitment I never wanted to lose.

If this truly was one-sided, then I wasn’t sure how I’d overcome the heartache.

“Well…” Laya sucked in a long breath as if shoring up her courage to continue speaking.

Or maybe she searched for the best words to offer me. She was the one I leaned on for tough sisterly talks. Cali was the strategic one, and having her in the mix for business and planning came in handy. However, she was too soft and prone to emotions in such situations.

Vik was cold and analytical, and knowing how uncomfortable tears made him, I wouldn’t turn to him for this situation unless we waged war. Laya was more like me, balancing both, keeping her heart safe behind walls and staying tough on the outside.

“Well, what?”

She smiled sadly. “Well, maybe there’s more to what Eli said than what you’re telling yourself to believe. What if it all was a setup?”

“That’s where my thoughts keep going, but everything lines up. I don’t knowwhatto believe. Or who.”

She frowned, a crease forming between her brow.

“I know you aren’t lying. So get that murderous glare off your face.” I huffed.

“Then stop talking and hear me out.” She gestured at herself. “I’ll be the devil’s advocate for a moment here.”

I smirked. “Go right ahead.”

“And I’ll be honest. I didn’t like Elias at first.”

“Because he is the son of Mama’s murderer?”

“That.” She rested her elbows on her knees for a beat. “He was just so…harsh at first. I swore the man couldn’t smile, not even fake it.”

Because he’s not a fake man, he is—was—real.What you saw was what you got with Elias. Or so I’d been duped into believing.

“He had this inner darkness, this lethal vibe, and yeah, it did make me uneasy to think of you being stuck with him, within reach if he were to be abusive like so many husbands can be.”

I shook my head. “He’s a hard man, but not toward me.”

Any and all bruises or marks he left on my body were the result of unhinged, carnal lust and pure, uninhibited desire.

I’d keep that information to myself, or it would derail the conversation.

“After you returned from your honeymoon, I saw that. Elias made you happy, physically, at least. Do you remember that lunch? You couldn’t stop blushing.Noman has evermade you blush or smile so carefree like that, no one until him. And you can’t fake that.”

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