Unveiled Secret

CHAPTER 12

The study crackled with tension, shadows flickering across Henri's face from the low-burning fire. His jaw tightened as Louis de La Rouge paced, agitated hands raking through silver hair.

"What do you mean she's been taken?" Henri's voice dropped to a dangerous quiet.

Louis swallowed hard. "The servant found this in the garden." He extended a trembling hand, clutching a torn scrap of lace.

Henri snatched it, stomach churning as he recognized the delicate pattern - from one of Vivienne's gowns. He clenched the fabric in his fist. "Who took her?"

"I don't know!" Louis' shoulders sagged in defeat. "There was no ransom note, no demands. Just...that."

Henri stalked to the window, chest heaving. Darkness shrouded the estate grounds, the night unnaturally still. Too still. He whipped around. "When did you last see her?"

"This morning, before she left for the hospital." Lines carved Louis' face as worry aged him. "She should have returned hours ago."

"And you did nothing?" Henri advanced, fists balled so tight his knuckles strained white. "Your own niece goes missing and your first instinct isn't to tear this city apart looking for her?"

"I..." Louis faltered under the scorching accusation in Henri's eyes. "I notified the authorities, of course, but you know how unreliable they can be. I didn't want to cause more panic until--"

"More panic?" Henri interrupted with a humourless bark of laughter. "Your niece has been stolen from under your nose and you're worried about panic? What incompetence--"

"That's enough!" The cutting edge to Louis' voice sliced through Henri's tirade. "However ill-prepared for my reaction, Vivienne is still my blood. I'm beside myself with worry. That's why I came to you."

Henri scoffed, turning away to mask the guilt twisting his gut. "Me? Whatever makes you think I can--"

"Don't play coy." Louis grabbed his arm, urgency blazing in his eyes. "I know about your history with her, Henri. Whatever happened between you two, those feelings don't just...disappear."

Henri flinched, memories lancing through his mind - heated whispers, Vivienne's eyes alight with a passion that had once burned for him alone...

He shook himself, jaw locking once more. "Even if that were true, it doesn't change the fact that Vivienne made her choice. She's moved on."

"With Doctor Bennet?" Louis snorted in disdain, shaking his head. "She cares for him, I won't deny that. But her heart still belongs to you, Henri. I've seen the way she looks at you when she thinks no one's watching."

Those words struck Henri like a physical blow. Vivienne...still harboured feelings for him? After everything, every vicious word, every callous rejection - was a part of her still his? His pulse roared in his ears, drowning out Louis' next words.

"...best chance...only one who can find her..."

Henri blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"You're our best chance at finding Vivienne before..." Louis swallowed hard. "Before it's too late."

"Too late?" Henri's blood ran cold at the implication. At the thought of warm, vibrant, beautiful Vivienne hurt - or worse. He clenched his jaw against the nausea churning in his gut. "Tell me everything you know."

Over the next hour, every detail was examined, analysed, dissected from every possible angle. But no insights emerged, no clear suspects or motives. Vivienne's abduction remained a mystery, her fate uncertain.

At last, Henri slumped in the chair, head in his hands. "It's no use. There's nothing to go on."

"We can't just give up!" Louis' fist pounded the desk with sudden vehemence.