Chapter 8 - The Seven-Year Conspiracy
Inside the hospital room, Lily sat quietly on the soft armchair beside her mother's bed, holding Grace's IV-laced hand.
Edward walked in, removing his charcoal suit jacket and gently draping it over the little girl's shoulders.
Grace's eyelids fluttered open, her faint blue eyes slowly focusing on her father's grief-stricken face.
"Why are you here, Dad?" Grace whispered in a weak, hoarse voice. "Did Victoria send you to finish us off?"
"Victoria?" Edward repeated, his heart stopping in his chest. "What does Victoria have to do with your disappearance seven years ago?"
Grace let out a bitter, raspy laugh that turned into a painful cough.
May you like
"Seven years ago, Victoria showed me forged wire transfers from your corporate account," Grace revealed, tears leaking into her hair.
"She told me if I didn't sign the confession and flee New York, her family's political connections would put me in federal prison for life."
