A soft hand squeezed mine, and for a moment, hope red in my chest. But when I turned my head, ignoring the sharp pain the movement caused, I saw Victoria Frost sitting beside my
bed.
The disappointment I felt surprised me. After everything Olivia had done-after she had left me bleeding on her doorstep-why would I expect her to be here? Why would I want her to be?
Victoria''s eyes were red-rimmed, her usually perfect makeup smudged from tears. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a hasty ponytail, so unlike her usual polished appearance.
"Ethan, you finally woke up," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "Ethan, what''s wrong? How did you get yourself into this state? Do you know how heartbroken I was to see you hurt like
this?!"
I stared at her for a long moment, memories flooding back. The cemetery. The freezing water.
of the Moonlit Reflection Pool. Olivia''s cottage. The vase striking my temple.
And before all that-Lily. My daughter. Dead for five years while I believed she was hidden
away by her mother.
I reached out, grasping Victoria''s hand tightly. "Lily is dead," I stated tly, watching her face
carefully.
I wasn''t sure why I felt the need to test her. Victoria had been my closest confidante since
childhood. I trusted her implicitly.
I remembered how she had cried for days when our neighbor''s dog was
poisoned. How she had nursed injured birds back to health. How she had always shown suchpassion for those who suffered.
Surely someone with such a tender heart couldn''t be responsible for my
daughter''s death, as Olivia imed. It was impossible. Victoria would never harm
a child-especially not Lily.
< Chapter 102: Blood and Betra...
(Victoria''s POV)
My heart nearly stopped when Ethan said those three words. "Lily is dead."
+15 Points>
I forced my eyes to widen in shock, my hand flying to my mouth in practiced disbelief.
"Lily is dead? How is that possible?!" I eximed, my voice rising with feigned surprise. “Ethan, is there a mistake? Didn''t you say Olivia hid Lily? How could she be dead? She''s only five years old... Impossible, absolutely impossible!"
Inwardly, I was calcting, assessing. Had Olivia told him everything? Did he know about the kidney transnt that should have gone to Lily but went to Emma instead? Did he know about
my role in redirecting that donor?
But as I studied his face-the grief in his amber eyes, the confusion in his furrowed brow-I realized with immense relief that he didn''t know the full truth. He was still in the dark about
my involvement.
I had been watching him closely these past days. I saw him at Moonlight Fair, witnessed his grief and remorse after learning of Lily''s death. I observed him visiting Sacred Moonlight Cemetery, kneeling all night at his daughter''s grave.
Most concerning was when I saw him frantically diving into the freezing Moonlit Reflection Pool at Stone Estate, searching desperately for something. I knew it must be rted to Lily.
When he went to see Olivia afterward, I panicked. I was certain she would reveal everything about Lily''s kidney transnt-how I had manipted the donor list to ensure Emma received the kidney instead.
But then I saw the ambnce. I heard about Ethan''s injuries. And I realized with relief that he had taken my side, that he had somehow provoked Olivia rather than learning the truth from
her.
"Lily... is really dead," Ethan said hoarsely, his eyes reddening at the mention of his daughter.
This time, I realized, it wasn''t a test. He was simply informing me of his loss, sharing his grief
with someone he trusted.
I continued my performance, allowing tears to fill my eyes. I was an excellent actress when necessary, and this moment demanded my best performance.
"Oh, Ethan," I whispered, squeezing his hand. “I can''t believe it. How could this happen? How sad Olivia must be! Have Lily''s funeral arrangements been made? Is there anything I can help
with?"