And knowing how much it would hurt me and in consequence rile my husband, who despised seeing me upset.
Once again, I felt like a pawn in a scheme beyond my comprehension.
I needed to apologize to Zeno.
However, that didn’t mean I would stay here.
The Hill women stuck together through thick and thin. We needed each other now more than ever with all our secrets out. Dacia hadn’t answered my calls and I assumed Hill residence was flooded with Mayor Hill’s PR team working tenfold to do damage control.
Not to mention, I had to go back home so I could finally get real answers.
DésiréeIvy Hill.
Apollo D’Ambrosio.
Those two names sent a pang through my chest. I ached to know more about my biological parents and their backstory now that the angry disbelief had lowered to a simmer.
Perhaps this was why Mother was harder on me growing up.
Unlike Dacia, I wasn’t her actual daughter.
I was just her niece.
The daughter of her dead sister whose existence she had never once acknowledged.
Without even knowing the entirety of the situation, it was obvious the two sisters must have had some bad blood.
And maybe it played a part in Diane Hill treating me like dirt.
Stop it. Don’tgo there. Don’t think about these things right nowwhen your priority is finding your husband.
I traded my gown for a pair of leggings and an old Vesta University crewneck, while mentally running through my apology.
I’msorry for saying that I’m leaving, without clarifying thatit will only be for a bit. I’m sosorry for everything but just know that we are notover. I love you. I love you. I love you.I just need time to sort this out with mygirls. Please be patient with me—
Wait a minute.
What was that?
From my bay window, I had a perfect view of the stables where the De la Croixes kept their prized horses.
In the stillness of the night, I caught a lone figure illuminated by the burnt yellow light spilling from the stables’ door. It seemed to be polishing a gun.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed it was Benjamin.
He entered the stables and I watched the scene with avid confusion. I didn’t recall seeing him at the auction. Something to do with him being in France for business.
Only he was here.
Back in the city.
When did he arrive?
Those thoughts were halted when a minute later, I spotted another figure stalking across the grassy field and towards the stables.
Even from a mile away, stark anger gyrated around Zeno’s frame like a dark cloud of smoke. He drew out a gun and…suddenly realization unfolded like a royal flush in poker.
“There’s arat in my circle.”