Chapter 60
Chapter Sixty
THREE WEEKS LATER — LONDON
C ompulsively checking the news from Singapore was a bad habit since arriving in London. I scrolled through article after article, hungry for any new twist in the Zelthia succession battle. But mainly, I hoped for reassurance that Neil remained unharmed. So far, so good.
I had done a lot of thinking over the past weeks. While the articles stated Neil and Veronica were an engaged couple, I realised this didn’t add up. I remembered meeting Veronica in Singapore, her smile in reaction to seeing Neil’s shirt on my bed, and her claim that she was in a relationship which wasn’t public knowledge. With that evidence in mind, I could believe Neil had told me the truth.
As for the baby, could it be a pawn in the inheritance game? The theory left a bitter taste in my mouth. If true, then Neil wasn’t as pure-hearted as I thought. But he had never pretended he was.
“Taxi will be here in five,” Hannah said, poking her head into my bedroom. “You almost ready?”
“Yep! Just about.” I tucked my phone away in my bag.
In the three weeks since I’d arrived in London, there had been no evident threats to my safety, and I felt ready to let my guard down for once. I was determined to enjoy this afternoon at the Christmas market, regardless of my circumstances.
I swapped my hoodie for a chunky cable-knit sweater and wrapped a tartan scarf around my neck. A black wool coat and a pair of fleece-lined gloves completed the look.
“Taxi’s here!” Hannah called as I emerged from my room.
I hurried to meet her by the front door, where we pulled on waterproof boots. She wore all black—leggings, leather jacket, fingerless gloves, and earmuffs. Her dark hair was tied back. She hooked her arm through mine. “Ready to get into the Christmas spirit, Grinch?”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh please, I am so not a Grinch.”
Hannah grinned. “Could’ve fooled me.”
“I’ve just been distracted. That’s all.”
“I know. It’s not an easy situation to be in, but at least try to enjoy yourself.”
“Don’t worry. I plan to enjoy the hell out of this.”
“That’s the spirit!”
“You’ll stay with me the whole time, though. Won’t you?”
“Of course. I won’t leave your side. Now, let’s not keep the driver waiting.” Hannah opened the door, a blast of chilly air sweeping in.
We stepped into the courtyard shared by all the flats in the block, security cameras hidden in every corner of the perimeter. Hannah locked the door behind us. We then proceeded through the tall wrought-iron gate separating the courtyard from the pavement. Specks of icy rain needled my cheeks, and I burrowed into my scarf as we dashed across the pavement. A black cab idled by the curb, yellow headlights beckoning through the gloom. I scanned the busy street before letting Hannah climb inside ahead of me.
The interior smelled of stale coffee and air freshener. Hannah reminded the driver of our destination. Rain pattered against the windows as we eased into traffic. I fiddled with my bag strap, excitement kindling as I watched festive shopfronts slide past. The closest I’d come to a real Christmas was back when Dad was alive. Most years it had just been the two of us. Not much effort or festivity. This year, all things going to plan, I’d spend Christmas with a group of old friends who were staying in London.
I looked out the window, losing myself in the steady drum of rain and the swish of passing cars as we wound deeper into the city. Vibrant holiday lights, storefronts, and pedestrians blurred into Impressionistic smears of colour. But gradually, the shop displays faded, giving way to warehouses, chain-link fences, and loading bays. I blinked hard. This didn’t seem right. Were we still heading towards Hyde Park?
I shot Hannah a questioning look. She returned my gaze, lips pinched tight, eyes round. My chest squeezed. No words needed. Her tense look mirrored the unease now sitting like a stone in my gut.
“Excuse me,” Hannah ventured, artificially bright. “I think you may have taken a wrong turn back there. Hyde Park is the other way. Could you turn around, please?”
No response came from the driver. Just the steady rumble of tyres over wet pavement. We continued gliding deeper into nowhere.
This wasn’t the first time I’d been in a taxi heading to the wrong destination against my will. Last time, it was Daniel Ling’s doing. I whipped my head towards Hannah. She gave an almost imperceptible nod.