♣ CHAPTER 35 ♣
A week passed.
Kate was healing well. Her strength was back. Her eyes were brighter. The doctors said she was lucky.
William stayed by her side.
That morning, she walked into the kitchen, where William was slicing apples.
"You're cutting them too thick," she said.
He looked up. "You've been watching me?"
Kate pulled out a stool and sat. "I've been watching everything."
William placed the knife down. "You hungry?"
"No. Just wanted to see your face."
He smirked. "You missed me?"
Kate crossed her arms. "Don't flatter yourself. I've been stuck in a hospital room for a week. I would've even missed Carlos."
William raised a brow. "Careful. That man wants you dead."
She leaned closer. "Then tell me why. Tell me what really happened to my parents."
William went still.
Kate saw it. His jaw tensed.
"I'm serious," she said. "No more lies."
William walked to the fridge, opened it, didn't take anything, then closed it again.
"They were killed," he said, voice low.
Kate's heart dropped. "Killed?"
"Yes."
She stared at him. "You told me it was an accident."
"I lied."
Kate's voice shook. "Why?"
"Because you were not ready," William said. "You were grieving. I didn't want you carrying more weight."
She stood up. "Do you know who did it?"
William shook his head. "No. But whoever it was… they made it look clean. Like a crash. No evidence. No trail."
Kate blinked fast. "Why would someone kill my parents?"
"Power. Money. Maybe your father stood in someone's way."
Kate turned around, her back to him. "All this time… I've been living a lie."
"I didn't want to hurt you, Kate."
"Well, you did."
---
Meanwhile, at a quiet coffee shop, Tina sat across from Raymond.
She stared at him. "So, where have you been, Raymond?"
He looked away. "Busy."
"Too busy to check on your girlfriend after she nearly lost her best friend?"
Raymond frowned. "You didn't call me either."
"I was worried! I didn't even know where you were."
He leaned back. "You think I'm seeing someone else?"
Tina scoffed. "You disappeared. What am I supposed to think?"
"Don't flip it," Raymond said. "Maybe you're the one seeing someone else."
Tina leaned forward. "I work, I go home, and I take care of Kate. Who would I be seeing?"
Raymond's phone rang. He looked down, silenced it.
Tina raised an eyebrow. "Who's that?"
"No one," he said quickly.
Tina didn't believe him. "You've been dodging questions. You barely talk. And now, your phone rings, and you can't even answer in front of me?"
Raymond stood. "I've got something to handle."
"Now?"
"Yes. I'll call you later."
He left before she could say another word.
---
Liam stepped into the restaurant some minutes later. He noticed Tina sitting alone, staring at her coffee.
He walked over. "Tina?"
She looked up, surprised. "Liam?"
"You okay?"
She nodded slowly. "Yeah. No. I don't know."
He sat. "What happened?"
She hesitated, then sighed. "It's Raymond. He's been acting strange. Distant. Today, he got a call in the middle of our date and just walked out."
Liam leaned forward. "That's not okay."
"I tried to talk to him, but he keeps avoiding things. I'm starting to think… maybe he's hiding something."
Liam's voice was calm. "Do you want me to look into him?"
Tina looked shocked. "Would you do that?"
"Yes. If he's hurting you, or keeping secrets, I'll find out."
She looked at him, her voice soft. "Why do you care?"
Liam gave a small smile. "Because you deserve better. And I hate seeing you like this."
Tina looked away. "Thank you."
He stood and held out his hand. "Come on. Let me walk you home."
Tina hesitated, then took his hand.
---
Back at the house, Kate sat alone on the balcony.
William came up behind her.
"You're not sleeping," he said.
"How can I? I close my eyes, and I see my parents' faces."
"I'll find out who did it," he said. "I swear to you."
Kate turned to him. "Don't swear. Just do it."
He nodded once. "I will."
Their eyes locked.
But the silence between them was no longer peaceful.
It was filled with questions. Secrets. And things they both knew were about to explode.
Kate was still on the balcony when Tina entered the house. Her steps were slow, her face down.
"Tina?" Kate called.
Tina raised her head. "Hey."
Kate stood. "You look worried. What's wrong?"
Tina came closer, let out a deep breath. "It's Raymond."
"What did he do this time?"
"I asked him why he's been away… he said he's been busy with business," Tina said, her voice low. "But he's hiding something, Kate. His phone kept ringing during our date. He didn't pick up. Then he left me there, said he had to go."
Kate frowned. "He just left you like that?"
Tina nodded. "No explanation. Nothing."
"And you're still defending him?"
"I'm not defending him," Tina snapped, then sighed. "I just want to understand him."
Kate folded her arms. "Understand what? That he's probably cheating? That he doesn't respect you enough to tell you the truth?"
"I don't know if he's cheating," Tina said. "But I know something's not right."
Kate touched her shoulder. "You deserve honesty, Tina."
"I know," Tina whispered. "Liam showed up after Raymond left. I told him everything."
"You told Liam?"
Tina nodded. "He offered to look into Raymond. He wants to help."
Kate stared. "And how do you feel about that?"
"I don't know," Tina said quietly. "When Liam talks, I feel… safe. Seen."
Kate smiled faintly. "Maybe because he actually sees you."
Tina looked down. "That's the problem. What if I'm starting to feel something I shouldn't?"
Kate tilted her head. "Then maybe what you feel is real. Maybe you've just been settling with Raymond all this time."
Tina didn't speak.
---
Later that night, Kate walked into the study. William was there, sitting in silence, staring at a file.
"You still up?" she asked.
He nodded slowly. "I've been thinking."
"About?"
He looked at her. "Your parents. The truth. Everything."
Kate stepped in, shut the door behind her. "Tell me something you haven't told me yet."
William closed the file. "I saw the crash report again. It wasn't just clean. It was professionally erased."
"Meaning?"
"Someone with power made sure it looked like an accident."
"Someone like Carlos," Kate said flatly.
William nodded. "Maybe. Or someone above him."
Kate sat. "Then let's find out who."
He watched her for a second. "You're stronger than I thought."
"I have to be," Kate said. "Too many people want to break me."
William leaned forward. "I promise you. I'll get answers."
"You've been promising a lot lately, William," Kate said, eyes locked on his. "I need action."
He looked at her seriously. "Then let's start tomorrow. We dig. We follow the paper trail. We talk to people who were close to your parents."
Kate nodded once. "Good."
"But I want you to be careful," he added. "Someone already tried to kill you."
Kate stood. "And they failed. I'm still here. Stronger than ever."
---
The next day…
Tina sat in her office when her phone buzzed. It was Raymond.
She stared at the screen for a while, then picked up.
"Hello," she said.
"Hey babe," Raymond's voice came through. "You left in a rush yesterday."
"You left me sitting alone at the restaurant, Raymond," she replied sharply.
"I told you it was business."
"You didn't tell me anything. You got a call and disappeared."
Raymond sighed. "You're blowing this up."
"No, you are hiding something," Tina snapped. "And I'm tired of pretending it's okay."
"Are you seeing someone else?" Raymond asked suddenly.
"What?"
"You told me Liam was there. You two getting close now?"
Tina's eyes widened. "Are you serious right now?"
"You didn't deny it."
"I don't owe you a denial," she said. "I've been loyal. Patient. And all you've given me is distance and secrets."
Raymond's tone shifted. "Careful how you talk to me."
"No, you be careful, Raymond. Because if I find out you're doing anything shady… I'm done."
Before he could answer, she hung up.
Her hands trembled.
She looked at her door—and there was Liam, standing quietly.
"You heard all that?" she asked.
He nodded. "All of it."
"I'm sorry—"
"Don't be," he said, stepping inside. "He doesn't deserve you."
Tina blinked fast. "Why does this hurt so much?"
"Because you gave your heart to the wrong person," Liam said softly. "But you're not alone."
He reached out and touched her hand.
For a moment, she didn't move.
Then she slowly leaned her head on his chest.
And he didn't let go.