Page 98 of Silent Oaths
Sheshakes her head slowly. “No.Neitherwas the baby.”
Maxwelllets out a disbelieving laugh that sounds more like a threat. “Soyou faked your deaths and walked away clean?”
“Cleanenough,” she says. “Thepress took the bait.Thefunerals were arranged without open caskets, my former family… devastated.”
“Andthe woman in the car?”Isabelasks, her voice a whisper.
Ourmother tilts her head, unblinking. “Shewas expendable.Ididn’t even know her name.”
“WasVanguardplanning to sacrifice her?”Isabelquestions.
Ourmother turns toward her slowly and nods. “Yes.Lionelsaw an opportunity.”
Isabelshakes her head. “Soshe was murdered for a lie.Foryourclean slate.”
“Shewas going to die either way,” our mother replies calmly. “Atleast this way, her death served a purpose.”
Maxwellshoots out of his chair so fast, it tips over behind him. “You’refucking insane.”
Motherdoesn’t blink. “You’veknown this aboutLionel,” she says. “Youlived under his roof, obeyed his rules.Don’tact surprised by the blood on the foundation now.”
Julian’shand is clenched so tightly on the armrest, his knuckles are bone white.
Myvoice is calm whenIspeak.Italways is, even when everything around me is coming undone.
“Andwhat did you do with the baby?”
Shetilts her head, as if she’s been waiting for this part.
“Itook the baby toSt.Dismas, knowing they’d be safe there until it was time to bring them back.Itwas only a matter of timing.”
Idon’t flinch, butIfeelJulianshift beside me.Maxwellstops pacing, andIsabelmakes a soft noise, her eyes wide as they snap to me.
Me.
Isit back in my chair, pressing two fingers to my lips likeI’mjust thinking and not rewriting my entire fucking identity.
“Soit was me.”
Hergaze meets mine without apology. “Yes.”
Ijust smile.It’ssmall.Hollow.Dangerous.
Lionelwanted his legacy intact, but only if it carried his blood.That’swhy they waited untilIwas old enough to adopt, to bring me back into the family—so he could groom me and shape me into his perfect successor.
“Youwere always meant to lead, my son.Youhave his mind,” she adds.
That’swhenIfinally let something shift in my expression. “No.I’mnotLionelWhitmoreandI’llnever be.”
Inthat moment,Imake a decision.
Itdoesn’t matter what blood runs through my veins.
Iwill burn down everything they built, starting with my mother.
Mythoughts flicker suddenly toRonnie—toCamila.Ilean forward again, eyes narrowed. “Andwhat aboutCamila, your so-called adoptive daughter?Howdoes she fit into all of this?”
Mother’scomposed mask falters for an instant, revealing something raw and real. “Camilawasn’t merely adopted.Shewas my niece—my deceased sister’s daughter.Mysister was one of the lastSotelowomen, and she was ultimately sacrificed during one of theLatibulumNoctisrituals.”
