Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
SOPHIE
I knew I wouldn’t take Viktor’s departure the same way as before, but I never thought I’d start missing him the moment he left. Would he land safely? Would he eat well? Sleep? Considering how tired he’d looked, I couldn’t stop worrying.
He’d said the work was stressful lately, but nothing he couldn’t handle, and I felt a bit bad for not asking more. Was he protecting me by keeping me in the dark, or was it really an ordinary thing? Maybe he wasn’t managing to handle everything because of the evenings he’d spent with me?
Thankfully, Ms. Lind arrived as promised on Friday morning and kept my attention on paperwork. We dove into what I’d already checked, and apparently having someone there to guide me and answer additional questions was a massive help.
By afternoon, Ms. Lind seemed more relaxed, even comfortable with my presence.
“For Mr. Rowks, we usually take shifts in the group for weekends and for business trips,” she said over lunch. “If you need me, I can come over tomorrow and on Sunday.”
“I can continue myself, and we’ll discuss everything on Monday.”
“If you don’t mind, I can actually come for a few hours to help with ongoing questions. In the future, once you pick a direction, there will probably be a need for weekend shifts.”
“Viktor said we can hire more people if needed,” I said, remembering him mentioning my own team.
Ms. Lind smiled. “He seems to trust you.”
Blood rushed to my cheeks. “Maybe it’s my imagination, but he’s appeared a bit more stressed recently. I didn’t see any major news, and I don’t have access to the very recent reports. Do you know anything?”
The woman tensed. “I’m not sure if I’m allowed to talk about that.”
“Didn’t you just say he trusts me? Besides, I have access to all the documents.” I frowned. “Or are there some that are hidden?”
“My apologies.” Ms. Lind looked at her hands for a moment, as if considering her next words carefully.
“The recent reports,” she said, looking up at me, “are updated on a quarterly basis. And maybe he hasn’t brought some home yet.
But I can guarantee it has nothing to do with hiding anything from you. ”
“So there is something going on?”
“Maybe he didn’t tell you considering your previous relationship with Edmond Renier?”
“Edmond?” I blurted before I could stop myself. What was he doing now?
“He tried to attend one of the private meetings this past Monday.”
“Did he have the right to?”
“No. The Reniers have some shares in Rowks Group. And so does your family. While they’re allowed to attend annual reports, those are very high-level—practically public knowledge. But for detailed ones, they currently have no access.”
“Then what was he thinking?”
“Technically, if you pass a certain threshold of shares, you’re entitled to attend—unless the majority votes against it. Since Viktor is the major shareholder, he instantly blocked it.”
“Oh… So the Reniers got more shares?”
“From what we know, your father gifted his shares to your brother, who then granted a proxy to Mr. Renier. Together with the Renier stake, it crossed the threshold allowing attendance. At least on paper. If Mr. Rowks wasn’t there for the meeting, no one would have been able to stop him from attending.
But more disturbing was that he had requested access to several private documents. We nearly didn’t catch it in time.”
Maybe this was the dispute my mother was talking about. Sure enough, Papa would be angry at Rafa. He probably gifted the shares to end Rafa’s whining about the company that went into my dower and didn’t expect my brother to act in such a foolish way.
A flicker of pain shot through my head, and I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to calm the red haze in front of them.
It was one thing to throw some verbal shit at each other; it was another to try to sabotage his business.
Especially since I—his sister—was married to the owner of that business. I clenched my teeth and balled my fists. “So everything is resolved?”
“Yes. This was nothing new, Mrs. Rowks. Just another failed attempt at being clever.”
I swallowed as a slight relief cut through my anger.
When Rafael appeared in front of me while I was enjoying my lonely Saturday brunch, I wasn’t surprised. To be honest, I’d been expecting him sooner.
“Can I join?” he asked, though he’d already grabbed a chair and sat down. In fact, he’d already told Ms. Hale what to bring him on his way to the patio. “It’s actually nice—the renovation.”
“I’ve never had a chance to visit here. Did Viktor change much?”
Rafael turned around. “This was a terrace, and I think the ballroom was bigger. The dining room was there.” He tilted his head toward the kitchen area, looking into it through the glass door. “Did he demolish the kitchen on the ground floor?”
“It’s still there, in case some big event happens.”
“Ah… I remember we were sneaking down with Alexander at midnight to grab some snacks. He used to say once he inherited this estate, he would bring the kitchen up here.” His smile grew sadder.
For a second I wanted to reach for his hand, to comfort him.
He had so many memories with his best friend in this home.
That was probably one of the reasons he hadn’t visited me sooner.
It was definitely hard for him: being here and seeing everything changed. His best friend’s ghost gone.
But the empathy didn’t last long when he opened his mouth again. “I see that sly fox stole even that idea.”
“Stop being childish. He never stole anything. Besides, bringing the kitchen up was an architecturally correct decision. It’s not like he had anywhere else to put it.”
“Already defending him?”
“I’m stating facts.”
He probably would have argued more if not for Ms. Hale, who brought his brunch. Rafa looked at me for a moment, perhaps wanting to say something again, but then focused on his meal.
“Mamma told me he went abroad. I wanted to check on you,” he finally said.
“Check on me? As if?”
“You know… to see if he’s treating you right.”
“What? Afraid that my horrible husband would take it out on me because you granted the proxy of your shares to the Reniers?”
“He did?” His nostrils flared as his grip tightened on the fork.
Shaking my head, I snapped. “Of course not. I told you he’s not the bad person you’ve portrayed in your head. More importantly, what were you thinking doing that?”
He bit his cheek from the inside. “I gave them to Edmond. We needed to check something.”
“Are you serious?” I raised my voice. “Do you realize that Rowks Group belongs to your brother-in-law?”
He looked up. “It’s complicated. You wouldn’t understand.”
“I wouldn’t?” I felt anger start pulsing in my temples. “Could you enlighten me why?”
“Fifi, please. I didn’t mean anything bad. It’s just related to business.” He looked at me with an apologetic expression. “So he didn’t harm you?”
“I already told you—no. He would never!”
“But he told you what happened.”
“He didn’t. I got it from his… assistant.” I stopped for a moment, not sure if I wanted to correct myself. As of yesterday, Ms. Lind had become my assistant. But that didn’t matter right now.
“Oh. So he put a watch on you?”
“No!” A dull ache spread across my forehead.
Rafael’s face told me he’d made up his mind. “You’re not lying when you say he’s not treating you badly, are you?”
“Why would I?” Another ache.
My brother crossed his arms. “Did you and he… you know…”
“What?”
“Still sleeping in different rooms?”
“Rafael!” The ache became sharper.
“What? I want to make sure he’s not forcing himself on you!”
“He’s not. He’s respectful,” I hissed.
“Respectful, my ass.” He scoffed, then added, “Did you tell him about you and Edmond?”
“What do you mean?”
“That you were together,” he said casually.
A nervous laugh escaped me. “Everyone knows that we were engaged.”
“You know what I mean.” His voice stayed even, but his eyes shifted away.
My mouth went dry. I was sure my brother didn’t know. Running my tongue over my lips, I looked around. Even if Ms. Hale was in the kitchen, she wouldn’t be able to hear. Yet my next words were barely a whisper. “Edmond told you?”
“No.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Those two… the ones with Duret…”
“What do you mean?”
“They let something slip about you not being a virgin.” He clicked his tongue. “I confronted Edmond later. He confessed.”
“Oh…” I couldn’t stay in my seat. So I stood and turned away from him. “Are you angry at me?” My voice trembled.
“At you? No. At him?” His breath came out in a rush. “He could have thought better.”
“Yet you seem to have forgiven him.”
He stayed quiet for a moment. “He loves you. And was ready to marry you.”
“Ah.”
Now Cath’s theory seemed undeniable: Edmond had pretended eagerness to marry me only to preserve his friendship with Rafa.
And while I’d known she was right, there was still some hope in me that maybe Edmond was torn between two hard choices.
And he was. Only not between his family and my ruined reputation.
He was torn between his family and Rafael’s friendship after my brother learned about us.
Alissa was not a mistake. She was his escape.
And of course, after five years, he’d portrayed it as me never giving him a chance.
Like he’d ever tried to get me back. Like he’d ever tried to defend me in his mother’s eyes.
What had he been doing? Appearing a few times a year, asking for me, and happily disappearing at another rejection?
No, he was probably even praying before the visits to all known and unknown gods for me not to change my mind.
My eyes burned. And my lungs refused to accept any ounce of air.
“Fifi.” Rafael moved closer but didn’t touch me. “Breathe. Please, breathe,” he said while his own breath grew faster. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have started—”
“You should have told me this earlier!” My voice came out in a raw shout. I forced myself to breathe, trying to calm the pain in my chest.
Why? Why was my heart burning when there were no feelings left for Edmond?
“Ma’am.” Ms. Hale appeared in the doorway.
I reached one of the chairs, gripping it, but didn’t sit. “Everything is fine.” I tried to sound as calm as possible, though my voice was lower by a few octaves than usual. “Please leave us alone.”
Ms. Hale hesitated for a moment, but did as she was told. Once I was sure she was out of earshot, I turned toward my brother. “Do you understand that after what happened to me, he didn’t want to marry me anymore? He was only keeping the illusion of the engagement for your sake.”
“No, Fifi. That’s not true…” He said something, but my pulse was louder.
“Was he ever in love with me when we got engaged? Was that also because of you?” I shuddered. “Because I can clearly remember how he was ignoring me for several years while I was running after him like a stupid girl.” Were all those memories lies? The joyful lunches, the dances at galas?
I sank to my knees, trying to get control of my body.
“Fifi, please.” Rafael sat near me. “You were still a kid back then. And he was afraid to ruin our friendship. But don’t you remember how in love you were when you got engaged?”
I breathed out slowly. “I’m not sure anymore,” I said, then looked at Rafa. “What I am sure of—you kept him on a leash, and he was afraid to ruin your friendship if he dared to break free.”
“Fifi!” Rafa nearly shouted, but when he came closer, his voice became almost a whisper. “He was devastated after your wedding news.”
“He wasn’t so devastated before.” I rasped.
“He was. Don’t forget on that day he didn’t only lose you, but his cousin. And his family was involved in that inheritance mess with Viktor and Viktor’s nasty cousin. It was a very dark time for him.”
I let out an emotionless breath.
Viktor.
He himself had lost everything the same day I did.
He was mourning them too while being dragged into court, fighting not only for what legally was his but also against the rumors the Reniers had spread.
And on top of that, Papa and Rafa had pulled him into a confrontation as well, to check his involvement in my assault.
No wonder his cousin dragged him into therapy. It had been hell for him as well.
“Viktor.” The name slipped from my lips before I realized. It tasted like air after drowning. And I wanted to look into his warm eyes, hear his soft voice, be in his calming presence.
“What?” Rafael asked.
“Does he know?”
“That’s what I asked you,” he noted.
“We never talked about that.” My throat went dry. “Why? Why are you asking?”
Rafa shrugged. “He mocked Edmond another day and it gave the impression he knew.”
“Like?” I swallowed.
Was he really aware? I knew he’d once said that what had happened to me was a crime. But it was about the assault. And maybe in his mind, that was forgivable. Yet would he consider what happened between me and Edmond, a man he surely could not stand, as something forgivable?
“I don’t remember the exact words, and I may also get him wrong.
That’s why I asked. Wanted to check if perhaps you told him.
” Rafa almost reached for my hand but then grabbed the back of the chair beside me.
“Because there were only three people besides me, Edmond, and you who could tell him. And they’re all dead.
I couldn’t find Sebastian, and if Viktor didn’t participate in hiding him like he told us back then, then I doubt he knows. ”
I nodded. “What if Edmond told him?”
“Edmond? No, Fifi. You know he wouldn’t get that low.”
“Wouldn’t he?” A sardonic laugh left my mouth.
“I can guarantee you he didn’t.”
“Then you got his comment wrong. Because Viktor would never hide Sebastian, if that’s what you’re implying.”
Rafa’s mouth opened, but he said nothing, and even before he could I did the one thing I’d always wanted but never had the courage to do. “I never properly thanked you, you know.”
Rafael blinked, confusion flickering across his face. Then his shoulders dropped. “That’s the least I could have done.” He let out a breath. “My only regret is that Duret croaked from an overdose.”
“The fact that they’re dead is what matters the most.” My throat tightened as I said the words. “Sometimes I think I’m an awful person for thinking that way. But if they were alive…” The words stuck in my throat. “I don’t think I would be able to live.”
Rafa’s jaw went rigid.
“So I’m really thankful for what you did,” I said.
He stood, crossing to the windows and standing there in silence. A minute, then another before he turned. “I may still be angry at you for marrying this bastard. But you’re still my little sister. And if he ever dares to harm you… physically, emotionally… I don’t care how. Just tell me, okay?”
“I can assure you, there won’t be a need.” I smiled, finally feeling a small weightless laugh in my chest.