Chapter 91: Black Peak

Cecilia

"I was going to tell you today anyway." He took my hands. "Small, intimate, just our closest friends. At the estate."

"But—"

"Which means," he continued, his eyes warm, "that we'll be moving back to Black Peak for the preparations. Starting tomorrow."

Understanding dawned. "You're getting us out of here."

"I'm getting us out of here." He smiled. "And your mother can have the apartment to herself. Win-win."

I threw my arms around his neck. "You're a genius."

"I know." He pulled back to look at me. "But there's something else."

"What?"

"I want you to move back to Black Peak permanently." His voice was soft. "With me. I know you have this apartment, and I know you wanted your independence, but—"

"Yes."

He stopped. "Yes?"

"Yes, Arthur. I want to move back to Black Peak." I raised my hand, stared at the ring, and said, "I will walk beside you forever too."

His expression shifted into something so tender it made my chest ache. "You mean that?"

"I mean it."

He kissed me, soft and sweet, and I let myself melt into it, forgetting for a moment about my mother in the other room, about all the complications this was going to create.

When we finally pulled apart, he pressed his forehead against mine.

"I'll be busy for the next few days," he said. "Getting everything ready for the party, dealing with work. But I need you to promise me something."

"What?"

"Don't go anywhere alone. And if your mother asks you anything—about us, about the company, about anything—be careful what you tell her."

"I will."

"Good." He kissed me again, quick and hard. "Now let's go tell your mother about Black Peak."

We returned to the living room to find my mother examining one of Arthur's watches that he'd left on the coffee table.

"Mom," I said, and she set it down quickly. "Arthur has some news."

"Oh?" She turned to face us, all smiles.

"We're moving to Black Peak Estate," Arthur said. "For the engagement party preparations. We'll be leaving tomorrow."

My mother's smile faltered slightly. "Oh. I see. And... should I come with you?"

"Actually," I said, before Arthur could respond, "we were thinking you could stay here. Have the apartment to yourself for a while. It'll give you space to figure things out."

"Oh." She looked between us, and I could see her trying to decide if she should argue. "Well, if you think that's best."

"We do," Arthur said firmly.

"Then I suppose that's settled." She stood, smoothing down her dress. "I should probably unpack. Get settled in."

"Great," I said, forcing brightness into my voice. "Let me show you where everything is."

As I led her toward the guest room, I caught Arthur's eye. He gave me a small nod, and I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders.

Evelyn

The apartment door clicked shut, and I listened to their footsteps fade down the hallway.

Going for a walk, they'd said. Some fresh air before dinner.

The moment I was sure they were gone, I pulled out my phone and dialed Irene's number with shaking fingers.

She answered on the first ring. "Well?"

"It's not working," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "They're leaving tomorrow. Moving to Black Peak Estate."

The silence on the other end was worse than shouting.

"You're telling me," Irene said finally, her voice so cold it made me flinch, "that you've been in that apartment for less than twelve hours, and you've already failed?"

"I didn't fail—they had this planned already."

"I don't care about your excuses, Evelyn." Her tone turned vicious. "You're as useless as I thought you'd be. Completely worthless."

My hand clenched around the phone. I wanted to scream at her, wanted to tell her exactly where she could shove her condescension and her perfect life.

But I couldn't. Because Irene Winston had money and power and connections, and I had nothing. Not anymore. The count had made sure of that when he'd cut me off.

So I swallowed my pride—what little I had left—and said, "I'm sorry. I'll do better."

"You'd better." Irene's voice softened slightly, but not in a kind way. In the way a predator might soften its growl before striking. "Because if you don't, Evelyn, you’ll never get that money."

I closed my eyes, feeling tears of frustration burn behind my lids. "I understand."

"Good. Now listen to me very carefully." Her voice turned businesslike. "I don't care what you have to do. Cry, beg, manipulate—I don't care. But you need to stay with Cecilia. You need to be wherever she is. You need to gain her trust."

"How am I supposed to do that if they're moving to Black Peak?"

"Then you move with them," Irene snapped. "Tell them you're worried about being alone. I don't care what excuse you use, but you will not let them leave without you."

I bit my lip, thinking. "The engagement party—that's why they're moving. They're hosting it at Black Peak."

There was a pause. "When?"

"I don't know exactly. Soon, I think."

"And you're just telling me this now?" Irene's voice rose.

"I'm sorry!" The words burst out before I could stop them. "I didn't think—"

"That's your problem, Evelyn. You don't think." She took a breath, and I could almost hear her forcing herself to calm down. "Alright. This could actually work in our favor."

"It could?"

"The engagement party." Her voice turned calculating. "That's when we'll do it. When everyone's there, when Arthur's distracted and surrounded by people. That's when we make our move."

The sound of keys in the lock made my blood run cold.

"They're back," I hissed into the phone.

"Then hang up and be the perfect mother," Irene said. "And Evelyn? See you at the engagement party. Don't disappoint me again."

The line went dead just as the door opened.

I shoved my phone into my pocket and plastered on a smile, turning to face them as they walked in.

"Oh, you're back!" I said brightly. "How was your walk?"

Cecilia looked at me, her expression slightly suspicious. "It’s not good. It suddenly started raining outside. Who were you talking to?"

"No one, darling." The lie came easily, practiced. "Just checking my messages."

Arthur's eyes were on me, sharp and assessing, and I felt a flutter of nervousness. He was too smart, too observant. I'd have to be more careful around him.

"Well," I said, smoothing down my dress. "I was thinking—about Black Peak. About you two moving there tomorrow."

"What about it?" Cecilia asked warily.

I took a breath, letting my eyes fill with tears—not hard, given how frustrated and angry I actually felt. "I was wondering if... if maybe I could come with you? "

"Mom—"

"I want to help," I continued, letting my voice break slightly. "With the engagement party. I want to be part of it, Ceci. I know I haven't been there for you like I should have been, but I'm here now. Please. Let me be your mother for once."

Cecilia looked at Arthur, and I saw something pass between them—a silent conversation I couldn't interpret.

"We'll think about it," Arthur said finally, his voice neutral.

Not a yes. But not a no either.

"Thank you," I said, wiping at my eyes. "This is the only thing I want to do now."

I only want the money. And once I had it—once Irene paid me what she'd promised—I'd never have to answer to anyone again. Not the count, not Irene, not even my own daughter.

I'd be free.