Chapter 19
Gideon’s POV
It’s been days since all the kidnappers were apprehended and one by one they all confessed they had acted alone and just wanted money.
The following day they were all found hanging dead in their cell.
I found it oddly suspicious but there was nothing I could do to prove it so the police overlooked the case and moved on.
Everyone moved on with their lives except me and Nathaniel who was ridden by guilt.
We kept looking for Rose but we couldn’t find her. I even hired a PI and he said it’s like
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she’s disappeared into thin air.
And now we were headed to Washington fucking DC, dragging Juliette along like some kind of peace offering.
Serena’s grandfather was turning eighty, and attendance was apparently non–negotiable.
“Don’t forget to smile,” Serena said in the backseat of the car. “Grandfather hates grumpy faces.” I glanced at her through the rearview mirror. Her lips were painted crimson, her smile wide, and her tone just a little too chirpy.
Nathaniel, sitting beside me, looked like a corpse in a designer suit. “I’m not smiling for anyone and I don’t understand why we have to go.”
“Well then fake it. You’re good at pretending,
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aren’t you?” Serena shot back with a little too much sweetness.
Then after a second thought she added, “And also, Nathaniel, you’re my brother–in–law.”
Nathaniel glared at her then turned toward me, “When are you divorcing this bitch?”
I sighed, “That’s enough, Nathaniel. Just let her be.”
Juliette let out a tiny whimper from her car seat and kicked her legs.
“See? Even the baby agrees,” she added.
I rolled my eyes and drove in silence, heart thudding a little harder with each passing mile.
The Whitmores lived like royalty. Their estate
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was more castle than house–white columns, manicured lawns, fountains shaped like Juliettes and lions. As soon as we arrived,
staff swarmed around us like bees.
“Ah, Mrs. Serena, welcome home!”
“Mr. Gideon, Mr. Nathaniel–pleasure to see you!”
We were led into a massive dining room with crystal chandeliers and a table long enough to host the Last Supper.
Serena’s uncles, aunts, cousins–they were all there, dressed to kill and already halfway through their glasses of wine.
Her grandfather, Elliot Whitmore, a shriveled old man in a velvet robe, sat at the head of the table, surrounded by roses and too many birthday cards.
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“You’re late,” he barked, but his eyes lit up the moment Serena knelt to hug him.
“Happy Birthday, Grandfather,” she cooed.
Nathaniel and I offered stiff greetings, then took our seats. Juliette, still drowsy from the drive, sat between us in her bassinet.
“Oh Serena, I’m so happy to see you,” her mom cooed, hugging her.
Her father joined in the hug before they pulled apart and stared at Juliette.
“Oh, she’s so beautiful. My little granddaughter,‘ he parents cooed.
I and Nathaniel greeted them stiffly. They were supposed to be our father and mother–in–law but I was already regretting
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my decision to marry Serena.
“I can see you’re taking good care of my daughter, her parents said.
I nodded, forcing a smile, “Yeah.”
“Alright. Let’s eat!” Grandpa Elliot snapped impatiently.
The meal began. Food was passed around. Expensive wine flowed. Everyone pretended to like each other.
Until he spoke.
Judge Harris.
“Before I forget,” he said between bites of steak, “you all won’t believe what happened to me a few days ago.”
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The table quieted slightly.
“I had a visit,” he continued, dabbing his mouth. “Some girl barged into my office with this man- her fiancé, apparently–and started making threats. Said she had… compromising materials.” My fork paused halfway to my mouth. Nathaniel froze mid–drink. Serena blinked once, twice. “Yeah, you fucked shit up for our company that day!” Serena’s father snapped.
“It’s not my fault you stole their designs,” Harris said.
“Why, you –” he tried to reach across and grab Harris.
“Enough, both of you!” Elliot banged his hand on the table angrily.
Harris chuckled and continued his story.
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“Brazen little thing. Pretty too. Rose Merrick, I think her name was.”
“What?!” I exclaimed in shock.
I heard Nathaniel’s glass hit the table.
Serena, across from me, was stock–still. Her jaw clenched so tightly I thought she might shatter her molars.
“Did she say what she wanted?” Nathaniel asked, voice low.
“Something about a court case–doesn’t matter. The point is, she had me cornered. Don’t know how the hell she got those videos but… I backed off. No shame in
knowing when you’re beat.” “You’re telling me Rose Merrick came into your office? With a man?” I clarified.
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