Chapter 14 FACING THE INEVITABLE
Nancy's POV
"Brianna, you need to rest," I said for what felt like the fourth time since I arrived. "You're not just stressing yourself out-you're stressing the baby too."
I couldn't believe it-she'd been sitting in front of her computer screen all day.
"Five more minutes, Nancy," she replied, eyes glued to the screen. "If I'm right, I might be able to dig up enough evidence to prove that Miss Camille's fiancé had something to do with her sister's death."
She didn't even glance at me. Not once.
"Brianna," I sighed, exasperated. "I took the day off to look after you because Gia couldn't make it. And all you've done since I got here is stare at that damn screen."
I tried to stay calm, but my patience was wearing thin.
"I know how badly you want justice for Miss Camille's sister-we all do. But I'm not about to let your obsession cost you your health. Not when your doctor specifically said you need rest."
This wasn't just about stubbornness anymore. It was about her pushing herself until something snapped-and I refused to let that happen under my watch.
"Nancy, you worry too much. I'm fine, really," Brianna replied, her voice soft but persistent. "I just want to confirm if Mr. Bridge was telling the truth when he said he only met with Miss Camille's sister to discuss a few things about his upcoming wedding."
Still, she didn't look my way. Her eyes were practically glued to the screen, like she couldn't blink without risking missing something vital.
The sudden ringing of my phone pulled my attention away. I gave Brianna one last glance before stepping out of her study to check the call. I wasn't surprised to see my sister's name flash on the screen-Arabella.
"Hey, Bella," I said as I answered, already sensing tension in the air.
"Hey, sis. Are you still coming back next month?" she asked quickly, her voice laced with unease.
"Yes, I told you I'd be there for Renna's fifth birthday," I replied, confused. Why would she call just to confirm that? Something was off.
"Well... you might want to move that up," she said hesitantly. "We might have a problem. A huge one."
A sigh slipped from my lips before I could catch it. Of course. There was always something with my family. Why couldn't they handle a crisis without dragging me into it?
"What is it this time, Bella?" I asked, not bothering to hide the exhaustion in my voice. "You know I've got a case I'm struggling to close before flying out to London."
"You remember the company I've always dreamed of working for? The Lennox Luxe Collection?" she asked, her tone hopeful yet tinged with urgency.
That only made my irritation spike.
"Bella, everyone knows about the Lennox Luxe Collection. And everyone in our family knows how obsessed you are with getting the executive assistant position there. So can you just get to the point already?" I said, rubbing my forehead as I sighed again.
While my sister idolized the Lennox name, I could barely stomach hearing it. Just the mention of it made my blood boil.
Someone I despised-someone whose face I never wanted to see again-was a Lennox. And now, his face was plastered all over social media and news outlets like a damn celebrity.
"Well... this is bad. I think Mum and Dad are about to lose the ranch," she finally blurted out. "The Lennoxs have taken an interest in the land, and now Mayor Ridge isn't lifting a finger to help. In fact, he's against us."
I froze.
What?
The ranch? Our family's ranch?
We're about to lose the one thing holding our family together to those arrogant, filthy-rich bastards?
It felt like someone had reached into my chest and stabbed me straight in the heart.
"Sis? Nancy, are you still there? Hello?" Bella's voice called through the phone, jarring me out of my spiraling thoughts.
"I'll be flying in by the end of the week," I said finally, my voice quieter than I expected. "I'll sign out of my current case and be there."
"Okay. See you soon," she replied, her tone relieved.
As the line went dead, I just stood there.
Numb.
The weight of her words sank deeper with each passing second. It was like the universe was conspiring against me, dragging me back into a past I'd fought hard to bury for five years.
\---
Brianna's POV
A sharp pain in my lower abdomen reminded me just how long I had been sitting in front of my computer all day. Nancy was right-I needed to take a break.
Cracking this case had drained so much of our energy and time.
We were entrusted with this case, but every time it seemed like we were getting closer, we'd hit yet another dead end. Frustration didn't even begin to describe it.
I made my way into the sitting room and immediately spotted Nancy standing across the space, her face tight with worry. Her whole posture radiated tension, and her grip on the phone in her hand was almost scary-like she wanted to crush it with her bare fingers.
"Nancy," I called out gently, trying not to startle her. Her eyes snapped up to meet mine. "Are you okay? Who were you talking to?" I asked carefully.
The frown on her face softened the moment she approached me, her expression shifting to one of concern instead of answering my question.
"It's nobody important," she said quickly, brushing it off. "You must be starving. Let me fix something for you to eat."
She was clearly avoiding the question.
She helped me toward the dining table and began moving around the kitchen like a woman trying to distract herself from something-her mind clearly elsewhere.
I watched her closely, every step she took, every glance she stole toward her phone. Something wasn't right. I knew it.
When she finally placed a plate of pasta in front of me, it looked surprisingly appetizing, but my hunger faded into the background. Instead, I pushed the plate aside, keeping my focus locked on her.
"So," I began carefully, "are you going to tell me why you looked like you were ready to murder someone earlier? And please don't try to change the subject.
I mean it, Nancy-something is clearly eating you up inside."
\---
Nancy's POV
My eyes met hers for a long, heavy moment before a deep sigh escaped my lips.
She knew me too well.
If I didn't open up now, she wouldn't drop it-and maybe she deserved to know. Especially since I might be leaving soon.
I gently pushed the plate back toward her, urging her to take a bite. She hesitated but eventually gave in, taking a spoonful of the food. Her eyes lit up briefly with approval, and she gave me a nod and a thumbs up.
I smiled faintly.
I was really going to miss her.
"I might be leaving by the end of the week," I finally said, my voice softer than usual.
Her eyes shot to mine, her mouth still full of food. "What?" she gasped, coughing immediately afterward.
I rushed to hand her a glass of water, which she drank in one go before fixing her gaze on me again.
"Did you just say you're leaving? As in... really leaving-for London!?" she repeated, her voice rising with disbelief.
I nodded slowly, unable to find the words to explain further just yet.
"But... I thought you said you were going to stay-to start our crime-fighting firm with us. This was supposed to be our last case with headquarters before we launched our own firm, Nancy!"
Her confusion-and hurt-was almost too much to take.
Tears pricked my eyes as I recalled the plans we had made together.
The grand opening was supposed to be next week.
"I was planning to fly to London for my daughter's birthday," I began, my voice trembling. "And to submit my resignation letter before returning here for good. But then... I got a call from my sister."
I paused, trying to steady myself, but the words were already fighting their way out.
"She said my parents might be losing the ranch," I said, my voice cracking. "Brianna, I can't let that happen. That land-the ranch, the farm-it's all my family has. If they lose it... I don't think I could ever forgive myself."
I swallowed hard, my vision blurring as tears welled up. "I've already disappointed them in so many ways. I can't-"
My voice broke completely as emotion surged through me, leaving me raw and shaken.