Seeing Rosita''s reaction, Lauren''s heart soared with satisfaction. "Rosita, I didn''t have a choice. I don''t want to die. I need a lot of money for my treatment. Just think of it as repaying me for bringing you into this world and raising you."
Rosita closed her eyes, memories of her darkest nights shing before her.
Her hand clenched at her side as she took a shaky breath. "Fine," she said through gritted teeth. "I understand. I''ll transfer the money to you in three days." Lauren, her goal achieved, left in much better spirits.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Rosita swept the wine and fruit from the table, sending sses and pieces scattering across the floor.
The mess of broken ss and spilled red wine bled across the carpet, looking eerily like the blood that stained the floor the night she was seventeen.
Rosita dropped to her knees and hugged her head, a guttural scream tearing from her throat.
The sound ricocheted off the walls of the media room, raw and haunting, almost inhuman.
That night, Rosita changed into a sleek ck designer dress and applied wless makeup before grabbing her purse and stepping out into the night.
Daisy was waiting for her behind the wheel.
Rosita sat silently in the backseat for the entire drive, lost in thought. Every so often, Daisy nced at her in the rearview mirror, but Rosita''s mind was miles away.
Twenty minutester, the car turned into the driveway of the Lockwood family''s new estate.
Rosita opened the car door. "Wait for me here. I won''t be long."
Daisy nodded. "Alright."
Rosita stepped out, and the housekeeper was already waiting just beyond the front steps.
"Ms. Lockwood, Mr. Lockwood is upstairs. Let me show you in."
Rosita gave a quiet nod.
Upstairs, outside the master bedroom, the housekeeper knocked gently. "Sir, Ms. Lockwood is here."
"Come in," came the reply.
The housekeeper opened the door and gestured politely. "This way, Ms. Lockwood."
Rosita tightened her grip on her purse and stepped inside.
The housekeeper closed the door behind her, eyes lowered respectfully.
The bedroom was dim, only a small ambermp glowing on the nightstand.
Barrie Lockwood stood silhouetted by the floor-to-ceiling windows-tall, broad-shouldered, giving off an aura that was both maic ando menacing.
Rosita''s heart pounded, her voice shaky. "B-Brother Barrie."
Barrie turned, sses perched on his nose, the lenses glinting coldly in the low light.
"They say you''re Stewart''s favorite woman. Is that true?"
The question caught Rosita off guard, but in Northborough, everyone tread carefully around Stewart''s name.
From their very first meeting, Barrie had shown a keen interest in her. Tonight''s invitation was hardly innocent.
Maybe, she thought, invoking Stewart''s name could still protect her.
"I''ve been with Stewart for years. Even though we''re separated now for certain reasons, he still looks out for me privately."
Barrie arched an eyebrow. "So, switching to your newpany-was that his doing too?"
Rosita swallowed and forced herself to nod. "Yes."
Barrie removed his sses,
a faint
smile flickering across his lips.
seems the rumors are
true Stewart''s love for you deep."
Rosita didn''t notice the dangerous glint in his eyes.
vel:
She pressed on. "Stewart truly cares for me, and I love him, too."
Barrie twirled his sses in his hand. "If Stewart loves you that much, whye
to me for such a measly five million?"
Rosita lowered her head, her voice
catching. "I''m married to
else
.How could I meomet
him and ask for money?"
Barrie watched her for a long moment. Finally, he said, "Someone will give you
the money on your way out. You can go."
Rosita blinked in surprise. She hadn''t expected it to be so easy.
Back in the hallway, the housekeeper handed her a bank card. "There''s no PIN.
Please keep it safe, Ms. Lockwood."
Rosita epted it gratefully. "Thank you."
The housekeeper personally escorted her out.
Rosita climbed into the car.
Upstairs, Barrie stood at the window, eyes dark as he watched her car disappear down the drive.
"Stewart, so this is the woman you love?"