"Then why does all the evidence point to you?" Xander demanded.
His gun never wavered.
Years of grief and anger had taught him not to trust words alone. Bernard was still a stranger to him—a man with a notorious reputation. For all Xander knew, this could be nothing more than another attempt to mislead him.
Bernard seemed to expect the question.
He let out a weary sigh before speaking.
"I don't know who convinced you that I murdered my own daughter and her husband," he said calmly. "But whoever fed you that information wanted exactly this—to turn us against each other."
His gaze met Xander's without hesitation.
"By the time Susan chose Lucas, I had already lost."
The confession surprised everyone in the room.
"I opposed their relationship in the beginning," Bernard admitted. "I was furious that she chose my enemy over her own family."
A bitter smile crossed his lips.
"But after signing the peace treaty with Lucas, I severed all ties with Susan."
Edward frowned.
