Chapter 41
Abigail
Roxy stretched her arms over her head, letting out a contented sigh as the breeze ruffled her hair. Inside her bag, her phone buzzed Grumbling, she fished it, frowning at the text that had just come through.
“Still on the hook for clean–up duty?” I teased, watching her frown deepen
“I wish,” she said, scratching her chin. “The dog got into the leftovers and my sister’s rushing him to the vet.”
“Because he ate some cake?”
“It was chocolate cake.”
“Oh.”
“Yep,” she said, shaking her head. “Dumb dog. I guess this is where we part ways, huh? You sure you’ll be okay?”
I gave her a small smile, even though my heart still felt heavy, “I’ll manage. Thanks for everything, Roxy. I really mean it.”
She stood up and dusted off her pants. “Hey, don’t get all mushy on me now. You’ve got this, Abigail. And if you need anything, even if it’s just to scream into the void, you know where to find me.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ll hold you to that.”
Roxy gave me a quick hug, the faint scent of chocolate and vanilla clinging to her. “Text me when you get home, okay? And stay sharp.”
“Always,” I promised.
As Roxy headed off toward her car, I watched her go, the streaks of paint still bright on her cheek. She waved over her shoulder before disappearing into the parking lot.
I took a deep breath, letting the cool evening air fill my lungs before exhaling slowly. My feet felt heavy as I left the park, the sound of gravel crunching beneath my shoes. The conversation with Roxy lingered in my mind like a heavy storm cloud. I had thought getting out of the house and talking things over would make the weight pressing down on me lighter, but instead, I felt more burdened than ever.
stubborn The news about the members of the company fighting wasn’t just shocking, it was unsettling. A small, part of me couldn’t help but think of how Alexander must be feeling. After such a horrible accident, his once- unshakable position that he had been groomed for all his life was now threatened by people who had stood by him until his circumstances changed. He hadn’t failed them; his only crime was being in a wheelchair.
It was wrong. It was cruel. But as quickly as the sympathy bloomed, I shoved it aside. Did I really have any right to feel sorry for Alexander Remington? He had resources, influence, and power–everything I didn’t. My heart wanted to pity him, but my brain told me I needed to focus on myself, not someone who could summon an army of lawyers with a snap of his fingers.
My car keys jingled in my hand as I unlocked the door and sad into the driver’s seat. As the engine purred to life, so did my thoughts, detangling the jumbled mess of what I knew for a fact and what I only suspected. The promise I’d made to Marceline to stay in the house until the “dust settled” was beginning to feel like a noose tightening around
my neck. I needed a way out, so I could leave the Remington name behind and all the chaos that seemed to follow all of its members.
And the only way out was through the truth. I needed to be part of the investigation about my kidnapping.
I gripped the steering wheel as I pulled onto the main road, my mind working furiously to piece together the
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Chapter 41
pieces of information I had and breaking down what I knew so far. The kidnapping had happened at the company. Both Susanna and I were taken. Conrad was so sure that Alkander was behind it, and he clung to all of Susanna’s accusations like a life raft. But his so–called evidence was misy at best, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that it
was far too convenient.
Everything pointed back to Susanna.
The more I thought about it, the more the pieces began to Susanna had always been calculating and willing to go to any lengths to secure her position. What If this kidnapping had been her doing all along? A perfect plan to cast suspicion elsewhere and paint herself as an innocent victim while manipulating Conrad’s blind devotion to her. It wasn’t just possible–it was textbook Susama.
And if the kidnapping had not Susanna been Susanna’s doing, then my experience told me the real culprit was not far behind: Liliana. I gritted my teeth at the thought of Susanna’s sister. But suspicions were worthless without evidence. And no one would listen to me–least of all Conrad–If I didn’t have something concrete to back them
- up.
As I drove, the solution began to make itself clear in my mind. If I wanted answers, I needed to speak to someone who had been caught in Susanna’s web before. Someone who had experienced her manipulations firsthand.
I needed somebody who had been used by her before, and there was only one person who fit that description.
Marcy.
That was a name I hadn’t thought of in a while. Marcy, the housekeeper who had tried to frame me, had been one of Susanna’s pawns. She’d lied right in my face, but in doing so, she’d revealed something crucial: she wasn’t acting alone. Susanna had used her, just as she used everyone around her.
I tightened my grip on the wheel, and I could feel my determination hardening into steel. If anyone could confirm my suspicions or point me in the right direction, it was Marry. She was still in police custody, which meant finding her would be easy. I didn’t really want to face her again, especially alone, but I didn’t have a choice.
As the miles passed, I began to plot my next steps. Whether Marcy had willingly decided to work with Susanna, or Susanna had forced her into it, the fact was that Marcy didn’t seem like the type to help me out of the goodness of her heart, especially after what had happened between us. I would have to tread carefully and and try to appeal to whatever shred of self–preservation she had left.
By the time I pulled into my driveway, the sun was dipping low on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and crimson. The sight should have been calming, but it only served as a reminder of how little time I had.
I parked the car and sat for a moment, staring at the house The Remington estate loomed before me, as tall as a mountain. Inside, Marceline was waiting for me, likely with questions about where I’d been. Conrad might be lurking too, though the thought of seeing him after our earlier confrontation made my skin crawl.
I let out a breath. The day wasn’t over, but at least I had a plan.
Tomorrow, I would go meet Marcy.
And then, one way or another, I would get the answers I needed.
