When Effie arrived at Elliott''s Cozy Room, she nearly collided with Suzan, who was pale as a ghost and clutching her lower back on her way to one of the private dining rooms.


    Suzan froze at the sight of Effie, a flicker of terror shing in her eyes.


    Effie found it odd. She hadn''t done anything to Suzantely, so why did Suzan look at her as if she''d seen a specter?


    Could it be that Suzan had a guilty conscience about something?


    Effie walked closer.


    Suzan stepped in front of her, blocking her path, her tone icy. "Effie, what are you doing here?"


    Suzan''s mind was racing. Did Effie know something? If she did, Suzan would do whatever it took to get rid of her. After all, she''d finally found a chance at happiness-she couldn''t let Effie ruin it.


    Effie answered coolly, "I''m here for dinner, obviously. Or should I be here acting crazy like you?"


    "You-"


    Suzan''s hands pressed protectively against her swollen belly. Her breathing grew rapid and shallow, as if she might faint at any moment.


    Effie shot her a cold look. "What now? nning to y dead again? I haven''tid a finger on you."


    Effie raised her hand, ncing deliberately toward the security camera in the


    corner.


    Suzan gritted her teeth. At that moment, the door to the private room swung open and Lionel stepped out.


    When he spotted Effie, his face lit up with surprise and delight. "Miss Bagnold! Fancy seeing you here again."


    Effie offered a nomittal nod, her eyes flicking to the number on the door behind Lionel. She''d wondered if she''d gotten the room wrong, but apparently not.


    Suzan''s heart skipped a beat. So Lionel and Effie had already met? Did Effie know something after all?


    Just then, Lyman emerged from the private room as well.


    He beamed when he saw Effie. "There you are! Why didn''t youe in?"


    Effie jerked her chin toward Suzan.


    Lyman followed her gaze. Suzan''s throat tightened, and for a moment she thought she''d lost her voice.


    Maybe it was her guilty conscience, but Suzan couldn''t shake the fear her secret would be exposed.


    Lionel took the opportunity to introduce Suzan to Effie. "Let me introduce you- this is my niece."


    Niece?


    Effie narrowed her eyes at Suzan.


    She''d already looked into Lionel''s background, which exined why he''d asked her those pointed questions before. But if Suzan really had such a powerful uncle, why hadn''t she ever bragged about it?


    Suzan never struck anyone as the modest type quite the opposite, in fact.


    Feeling Effie''s gaze, Suzan grew visibly tense, but she forced herself not to show


    it.


    Lionel turned to Suzan and said, "I came back this time to reconnect with family, and I''m d I did. At least now, I have one more person I can call my own."


    Suzan managed a strained smile. "I''m grateful too. I never knew I had such an amazing uncle."


    As she spoke, her eyes reddened and tears welled up, threatening to spill at any moment.


    Lionel, rough around the edges and not exactly known for his


    sensitivity his wife often teased him about how clueless he could be-couldn''t help but soften at the sight of Suzan''s trembling lip "Come on now, don''t cry. Your uncle''s here; I won''t let anyone hurt you again."


    Suzan nodded obediently. "Thank you, Uncle."


    Effie couldn''t shake the feeling that was off, but without any


    somethi


    proof, she knew saying anything would be pointless. Lionel would


    never take her word for it.


    At that moment, Lyman introduced Effie to Lionel, reaching for her hand. "And this


    is my wife, Effie."