Chapter 8 - THE BETRAYAL
Vincent ran upstairs.
Bellamy’s room was empty.
The window was open.
A guard lay unconscious in the hallway.
Isabella was still locked inside her room.
When Vincent entered, she was sitting on the edge of the bed.
“You finally figured out Charles isn’t the smartest man in the room,” she said.
Vincent shut the door.
“Rafael helped him escape.”
Isabella looked surprised.
That reaction felt real.
“You didn’t know?”
“No.”
“Then start talking.”
She crossed her arms.
“I met Sofia before you and I were together.”
“I know.”
“She came to me.”
Vincent frowned.
“What?”
“She suspected Anthony was alive. She thought my father had done business with him.”
“Had he?”
“Yes.”
Vincent stared.
“My father was terrified of Anthony,” Isabella continued. “He agreed to move money for him. When he tried to stop, Anthony threatened my younger brother.”
“So you helped Sofia.”
“For a while.”
“What changed?”
Isabella looked down.
“Anthony found out.”
Vincent’s voice hardened.
“And?”
“He gave me a choice.”
“Sofia or your brother.”
Isabella looked at him.
“I chose my brother.”
Vincent stared at her.
“You betrayed Sofia.”
“Yes.”
The simple answer hit harder than an excuse.
“Did you help take her?”
“No.”
“Did you know she was alive?”
“I suspected it.”
“And you said nothing for three years.”
“My brother disappeared two days after Sofia did.”
Vincent paused.
“What?”
“Anthony kept sending me photographs proving he was alive. Every few months. Different places. Same message.”
She looked toward the locked door.
“Do what you’re told.”
Vincent felt sick.
“The engagement?”
“Anthony’s plan.”
“The trust?”
“Yes.”
“And marrying me?”
Isabella’s eyes watered.
“That part became complicated.”
Vincent laughed bitterly.
“Don’t.”
“I did care about you.”
“You were helping steal my companies.”
“I was trying to keep my brother breathing.”
“And Sofia?”
“I told myself she was already dead.”
“But you knew that necklace was hers.”
Isabella looked ashamed.
“Anthony gave it to me.”
Vincent’s anger nearly broke through.
“Why would you wear it?”
“Because he told me to.”
Vincent stared.
It wasn’t romance.
It was a message.
Anthony had wanted Vincent living beside a reminder he didn’t recognize.
Then Isabella said something that changed everything.
“Sofia was never supposed to disappear for three years.”
Vincent frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“Anthony planned to release her after six months.”
“Release her?”
“He wanted her terrified enough to leave the country.”
“Then why didn’t he?”
Isabella looked toward him.
“Because Sofia escaped.”
Vincent’s heart stopped.
“When?”
“Two years ago.”
Vincent stepped closer.
“She escaped?”
“Yes.”
“Where did she go?”
“I don’t know.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I swear.”
Vincent’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
Rafael spoke.
“Boss.”
Vincent’s face went cold.
“You betrayed me.”
“I did what I had to do.”
“For Anthony?”
“No.”
Rafael paused.
“For Sofia.”
Vincent said nothing.
May you like
Then Rafael added:
“She’s standing right beside me.”
