Helen's POV
I read the message again.
Your father didn't die by accident. He was murdered. By the time I send another message, you must have decided if you want the name of the person responsible.
The words sat at the top of my inbox, no name, no subject, just an empty sender line. I tried tracing it, digging through every detail I could find, but the trail kept slipping away, buried behind masked servers until there was nothing left to follow.
My father had never been gentle at home, never the father I wanted, people spoke of his generosity like it was fact.
I almost dialed Derick's number, my thumb hesitating over the screen, but I stopped. This was my family's business. I couldn't involve him, not yet. And I certainly couldn't tell my mother anything; she was still blindly in love with my stepfather.
Ding! The doorbell rang. I froze for a second, then walked over. When I opened the door, my mother stood there, face flushed, eyes blazing.
"Why didn't you tell me you were leaving the house?" she demanded, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "You packed up and just left without a word. How could you do this to me? I am your mother, for goodness' sake!" Tears streaked her cheeks as she spoke, her voice trembling with anger.
Arrggh.. I rolled my eyes. Always dramatic when she wanted to bend me to her will.
"Mum, I never meant to leave without telling you," I said, folding my arms across my chest. "I thought I'd meet you at the house, but you weren't there. I was going to call you."
"Her nostrils flared, eyes narrowing. "You didn't call me."
I let out a short, sharp breath. "Fine. My bad. It won't happen again."
"So Silas told me he's back at the company, and you didn't even welcome him," she said, stepping into the center of the living room, hands on her hips. Her eyes darted from me to the couch, to the table, like every corner of the room was somehow at fault for my 'mistake.'
I pressed my lips into a thin line, fists tightening at my sides. "Please, mother, don't start with this. You know how much I hate that man, yet you dragged him back into the company."
"Helen, listen to me—"
"I don't want to listen!" I snapped, stepping back, heart pounding. "You don't even know how dangerous he is, and you're blindly in love with him like some foolish teenager!"
"You don't talk to your mother like that!" she shouted, slamming her bag on the table beside her.
"I think you need to leave right now. I need to be alone." I shoved the door open.
"You're chasing your own mother? When will you start giving me the respect I deserve?" she called after me, voice sharp with disbelief.
"I'll give you the respect you deserve the day you open your eyes and see that Silas isn't who you think he is," I shot back.
"He is a good man," she said, shaking her head, and walked out.
I banged the door behind her, pressing a hand to my forehead, heart pounding. She believes him more than her own daughter, I thought, fighting back the tears.
Another knock. "I told you to leave…just leave me alone!" I snapped, swinging the door open.
"Hey, babe, chill it's me, Sloane." She stepped inside, raising her hands in mock surrender. My chest heaved. "Oh, I'm sorry, I thought it was my mother," I muttered, moving toward the couch as she followed.
"What's wrong?" Her eyes were wide, full of curiosity and concern.
I sank onto the couch, letting out a shaky breath. "Hmmmph… we had a fight. Because of Silas."
Sloane didn't say anything, she just pulled me into a tight hug, patting my back. I buried my face against her shoulder, letting a few tears slip, not caring anymore.I think you need to tell her the truth, slaoned said. You need to let her know what sort of a scumbag the man is. You shouldn't keep this from her and you need to save your mother from him too.
I pulled back from her, sniffing lightly, but she flashed that mischievous smile I knew all too well.
"What's going on between you and Derick? Did you…?" Her smirk widened.
A sudden, invisible cough escaped me. "Why would you ask that now?" I muttered, avoiding her gaze. "Nothing's going on… at least nothing I can admit," I added, lowering my eyes. She'd skin me alive if she knew I had slept with him.
"Are you sure?" she pressed, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Because I could see the way he looks at you… like some obsessed prick."
"Anyway, there's a gala coming up, proposed by my parents," she said, bouncing on her toes. "A lot of companies will be there, influential people, the whole scene. I'm so excited! And you have to be there. Who knows, you might run into your 'Mr. Right' and get… well, you know." She winked.
I rolled my eyes. "Oh, please. You know I don't have time for men. I'm going because you invited me and for the business connections, not… anything else."
Sloane's grin widened. "Guess who's coming to the party!" she squealed.
"Who?" I arched a brow, curiosity pricking despite myself.
"Chicago's biggest and most powerful company…" Sloane said, eyes gleaming. "It could be your chance to strike a deal, they're untouchable, and with your company struggling… well, we can't let the world see any weakness."
I nodded, biting my lip. "I'll try my best to be there," I hummed, already feeling the pressure.
****
I wandered through the boutique, Sloane chattering beside me about shoes, dresses, and accessories, but I barely heard her. My mind was tangled in the email I had received earlier. "Do I tell her? I chewed my lip.
"You're so quiet," Sloane said suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Something's up. You've been spacing out ever since we left the apartment."
My phone vibrated in my bag. I pulled it out, stomach dropping. A message from an unknown sender: "He is closer than you think."
My blood ran cold.