Page 99 of Silent Oaths
Isabelgasps, covering her mouth, eyes wide in shock. “Thisis insane.”
“Ifyou andLionelplanned this from the start, why keep it from us?Younever had a problem handing out cruelty,”Ipress, holding her gaze. “Whydeny yourselves the satisfaction of telling me whoIreally was?”
Shemeets my eyes, face unapologetic.
“Lionelbelieved it was necessary.Ifyou had known the truth, you would’ve been uncontrollable.Heneeded obedience, loyalty.Heneeded a son he could mold.”
Maxwellscoffs.Julianremains still, watching her every movement.Isabelstares openly, eyes wide with something between disbelief and disgust.
“Youmade a miscalculation.”Itilt my head, lips curling into a cold smile. “Iwas never loyal toLionel.Iobeyed because it suited me, not becauseIwas his son.”
Sheleans forward slightly, a small smirk playing on her lips. “Exactly.Whichis why he was right to hide it.”
Thereit is—the bitter irony.Lionelhid the truth to keep control.
Igive her a final look, a controlled calm settling deep within me. “Youboth underestimated me.”
35
ISABEL
Theodorerises smoothly, as if the earthquake of truth we just experienced hasn’t touched him at all.ButIsee the subtle tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw ticks beneath his carefully controlled expression.
“Maxwell,Julian,”Theodoresays coolly, eyes never leaving his mother’s face, “take her.”
Celeste’seyes widen briefly, the poised mask finally cracking asMaxwellandJulianboth rise.Shestarts to struggle when they grab her arms, but it’s useless.
“Youcan’t do this,” she says, her voice snapping like brittle glass. “I’myour mother.”
Maxwelllets out a dark laugh. “Thatship sailed the second you choseLionelWhitmoreover your own blood.”
Juliandoesn’t speak, his grip unyielding as they drag her toward the door.Celestefights against them, pearls rattling around her throat, her dignity unraveling thread by thread.
Whenthey disappear into the hallway, the silence left behind presses down on us.
Theodoremoves toward the door, ready to follow, but my hand reaches for him instinctively, grazing his fingers just enough to make him pause.
“Theo, wait.”
Hestops, half-turning to look at me over his shoulder.Hisgaze is distant—he’s not nearly as unaffected as he wants everyone to think.
Heglances toward the open doorway before he quietly calls after his brothers, “Goahead.We’llmeet you outside.”
Theirfootsteps fade, leaving us alone.
Mythroat feels tight whenIwhisper, “I’msorry for everything you’re going through right now.Iknow it can’t be easy.”
Theodorestares at me for a moment, then lets out a slow breath, turning fully toward me.
“Youdon’t need to apologize for her sins,Isabel.Youdidn’t create this mess.”
Ishake my head, stepping a bit closer. “No, butIknow what it feels like to have your life flipped upside down.”
Hiseyes soften a fraction, something almost human emerging from beneath the careful control.Hereaches out, fingers brushing gently over my wrist.Thetouch sends a quiet shiver up my spine.
Myheart aches for him. “You’renot alone,Theo.”
Hewatches me carefully, eyes tracing my face, lingering like he’s searching for some hidden truth beneath my skin.
