Timothy felt his world tilt when Viola's words hit him. She'd laid bare everything about Phoebe, each revelation cutting deeper than the last. Her apology came too late, but at least it came.
"This conversation should've happened months ago," Timothy said, frustration bleeding through his voice. He pulled back his anger when Viola flinched—she looked terrified enough already. "We could've prevented so much damage."
The truth stung. Phoebe had only agreed to poison Perry because the king had been treating her like dirt, all based on lies about her supposedly pining for her rejected mate. Nothing could be further from reality.
"You're certain Phoebe despised Kevin?" Timothy's eyes narrowed to slits. He needed absolute confirmation.
"Completely sure. I know exactly what Kevin was like..." Viola's body trembled. "Thank god I escaped his grip." Her head dropped in shame.
Revealing the truth meant exposing her own humiliating past with Kevin—no wonder she'd kept quiet for so long.
