Deadly

Chapter 30

I shuffled through the unorganised mess of my mothers desk, sifting through pages, documents, letters. This was taking too long. Why couldn't I find it? Casting a quick glance at the door, I hurried my search. If she found me here, it would complicate things. Especially if she discovered what it was I was here for.

Birth certificates, legers, inventory... Finally. I snatched up the one I'd been looking for, smiling widely at the words printed in bold at the top of the page. Remembering that my time was limited, I quickly folded the page twice, then stuffed it into the brown satchel at my side. Now, I just needed some signatures, my mothers royal crest and a pretty red ribbon to tie it up. The last two wouldn't be impossible, the ribbon wasn't entirely relevant, but I wasn't sure about getting those signatures.

One step at a time.

Peeking my head out the slit door, I looked both ways before bounding down the hallway. Benjamin would be in the garden waiting for me. I wished he would have come with, it would have been more comforting to have him watch guard. He'd told me he had more important things to do, whatever that meant. I think he was just upset that the plan didn't involve killing Luca.

I was on my way to meet him when I heard his voice in one of the drawing rooms. I paused outside the door, eyebrows drawn together.

" Is she anything like her father?" Benjamin asked.

" Katherine?" My mother. " No, not really."

What was she doing here? Why were they together, talking? Is this why Benjamin wouldn't help me earlier?

" How so?"

I took a step closer, straining to hear more. Through the crack in the door, I could just make out Benjamin. He was leaning against one of the tables, hands behind his back, a sultry smile on his face. I did a double take. What. The. Hell.

" Well.. If there's one thing Katherine has, it's determination. Drive. If she wants something, she'll go above and beyond to do everything she can." My mother said fondly. It was a strange thing to hear coming from my mother when it concerned me. " Her father never had that, at least, not nearly as much. He was always such a pesimist. When something didn't go his way, he'd instantly give up. What was done was done."

" Did you love him?" Benjamin's voice was soft, void of judgement.

The beats of my heart slowed as I waited for her answer. I knew that she never loved me, after all, how could you love something that you never wanted? She betrayed my father, did the unspeakable, but was there ever a moment when she loved him? Before everything. When they met, on their wedding day, when they shared their first kiss?

" It was an arranged marriage."

The broken pieces of my heart solidified.

" I see."

" Is there a reason you're asking me questions about my deceased husband?" She asked suspiciously.

He shrugged it off with a charming smile of casual indifference. " I suppose I was mildly curious about your current love life."

Blanch.

This was getting worse and worse. Hands clasped to my stomach, I hurried out of there, struggling to keep my breakfast from coming up. In record time, I made it outside. The cool air helped calm my churning insides. My shoes sunk into the light dusting of snow that coated the grass on the way to the garden. Most of the flowers were covered in frost and glittering snow.

A winter wonderland.

I brushed off the snow on one of the stone benches, the same one I'd sat at with Benjamin not all that long ago. It felt like it'd been ages since we'd had that talk. When he was suppose to tell me everything he knew about the contract, and in return I would bring Bennett and Felicity together. I never should have gotten between their deal. I never should have given my hopes up, thinking maybe Felicity would be different.