Chapter 24 - THE MAN BESIDE VICTOR
Rowan waited until Wells returned.
She didn't confront him immediately.
She simply held out the photograph.
Wells looked at it.
His face went pale.
"I can explain."
"Good."
"I met him once."
"Three months ago?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I was investigating your family."
"Without telling me?"
"I was trying to protect you."
"From what?"
"From Victor."
Rowan shook her head.
"You should have told me."
"I know."
"Did you know Rebecca was alive?"
"No."
"Did Victor tell you?"
"No."
"Did you know he was her father?"
Wells hesitated.
That hesitation destroyed her.
"You did."
"I suspected."
"How long?"
"Six months."
Rowan stepped backward.
"You lied to me."
"I was trying to keep you alive."
"Don't use that excuse."
"I never betrayed you."
"Then why hide it?"
"Because Victor threatened you."
"With what?"
Wells lowered his voice.
"He said if I told you everything, Rebecca would die."
The room went silent.
Rowan looked at the photograph again.
"Where is she?"
"I don't know."
"You're lying."
"I'm not."
Suddenly, Wells's phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
Victor's voice came through.
"You're running out of time."
Wells's expression hardened.
"What do you want?"
"Nothing from you."
Victor laughed.
"I want Rowan."
Wells stepped toward the window.
"You'll never get her."
Victor replied:
"You already gave her to me."
The call ended.
Rowan stared at Wells.
"What does that mean?"
He didn't answer.
Then a loud crash came from downstairs.
They rushed down.
The front door was wide open.
The red wine bottle was gone.
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And written across the marble floor in red liquid were four words:
SHE IS COMING HOME.
