Because of Ste, I''d crossed paths with Joshua a few times-enough to say we knew each other, but not well.


    Aurora met Rachel''s gaze. "You know that''s not what I mean."


    Rachel feigned confusion. "I really don''t understand what you''re getting at, Ms. Williams."


    Aurora turned to Simone, who nodded, her lips curled in a half-smile as she looked at Rachel.


    "Rachel, did you pretend to be the person who saved Joshua''s life?"


    Rachel''s pupils contracted sharply, and for a second, she nearly lost control of her expression.


    Still, she replied, "I have no idea what you''re talking about."


    With practiced calm, Simone recounted everything Joshua had told her,ying it all out for Rachel.


    At first, Rachel managed to keep herposure, but as Simone continued, her face grew paler and paler.


    Her fingers clenched tightly together.


    Astonishingly, what Joshua had told Simone was exactly the same as what he''d told her.


    Aurora didn''t miss a flicker of Rachel''s reaction; she''d already drawn her own conclusions.


    So, Rachel and Joshua really did know each other. And what Joshua confided in Simone was probably true.


    When Simone finished, she reached into her bag and pulled out a pair of earrings. "Ms. Pearce, these earrings look familiar, don''t they?"


    Rachel''s eyes widened in shock. "You... how do you have those earrings too?" She shot a look at Aurora. "Did she give them to you?"


    Simone smiled. "Of course not. Aurora and I had these earrings custom-made together I have a pair just like hers. I just happened to lose one, so I stopped wearing them."


    Rachel refused to believe it. "You''re lying! I remember Ms. Williams said her father gave her those earrings as a gift!"


    Simone''s expression didn''t waver. "That''s true-Mr. Williams did give them to Aurora. But, Ms. Pearce, didn''t you know Mr. Williams actually had two sets made?"


    That fact was verifiable: Skyler Williams had indeedmissioned two pairs. Back then, though, Ste''s identity hadn''t been made public, so no one ever found out who received the second pair.


    Rachel''s face twisted through a storm of emotions.


    No wonder. No wonder Joshua had been ignoring hertely-he must have found his real one and only.


    She clenched her jaw so tightly she nearly cracked a tooth, her eyes burning with hatred for Simone.


    The look unsettled Simone for a moment, but she quickly regained herposure. "All of this


    бэл


    happened a long time ago," she said coolly To be honest, I don''t


    remember every detail. I just wanted to ask you, Ms. Pearce, besides what we''ve discussed, did Joshua ever say anything else to you?"


    Rachel wasn''t stupid; she caught the nuance in Simone''s question instantly. Her emotions gradually steadied. "What, Joshua didn''t tell you?"


    Simone tucked her hair behind her ear, her tone unhurried. "Honestly, I''m not even sure if I''m the person Joshua''s looking for. Maybe I''m not. He thinks I am now, but if he''s wrong... wouldn''t that just keep him from finding the real one?"


    Rachel''s eyes darted shrewdly. "Well, I''m already in prison, Haynes wants nothing to do with me, and now Joshua''s uncovered everything. Whatever future I had is gone. My life''s a mess anyway-why should I tell you anything?"


    Simone exchanged a nce with Aurora. What they feared most wasn''t Rachel driving a hard bargain—it was Rachel refusing to bargain at all.


    Simone asked, "What''s your price?"


    Rachel steadied her breath, suppressing the turmoil inside. "Get me out on bail."