Chapter 190 — The Price of Trust

Chapter 190 — The Price of Trust
I woke up that morning with one feeling in my chest. Pure, overwhelming relief.

For the first time in days, I felt like something was finally going right.

My father was coming home. I stared at myself in the mirror for a moment, my fingers trembling slightly as I adjusted my hair.

“You did it,” I whispered to myself. A small smile formed on my lips.

“I did it.”

Everything I had done… every humiliation, every insult, every sacrifice. It was all worth it.

Because today my father would walk out free. The drive to the station felt longer than usual.

I kept checking the time. Checking my phone.

“Just a few more minutes…”

I parked my car and stepped out quickly, my heels clicking against the ground as I rushed inside.

And then, I saw my father standing there as a free man. “Dad!”

I ran to him immediately. He opened his arms and I fell into them.

“You’re okay…” I whispered, my voice shaking.

“I’m okay,” he said, holding me firmly.

Then he pulled back slightly and looked at me. His eyes were filled with pride.

“With you as my daughter…” he said, smiling, “…how would I not be okay?”

Tears filled my eyes instantly. “I’m so proud of you,” he continued.

My chest tightened. “Thank you for helping me,” he said. “Thank you for getting me out of this mess.”

I shook my head quickly. “It’s fine Dad,” I said softly. “I would do anything for you.”

He smiled. “I knew I could trust you.”

Those words, they meant everything. I held his hand as we started walking out together.

Finally free. Or so I thought. We were almost at the exit when suddenly we were stopped.

“Stop right there.” My steps froze.

I turned. Two policemen walked toward us. My heart dropped instantly.

“What’s the problem?” I asked, my voice firm.

One of them stepped forward. “Sir,” he said to my father, “you’re under arrest.”

Everything went silent. “What?”

My father frowned. “There must be a mistake,” he said.

“Every penny has been paid,” I added. “So what is the problem?”

The detective stepped forward this time. “We traced the money used for the payment.”

My stomach twisted. “And?”

“It was laundered money,” he said.

I blinked. “What do you mean?”

“The source of the funds is under investigation,” he continued. “Which means the payment is not considered valid.”

My head spun. “No… that’s not possible…”

My father looked confused. “There must be a mix-up,” he said quickly. “There has to be…”

But before he could finish, they grabbed him.

“Wait!” I shouted.

The cold handcuffs metal snapping shut.

“No! Stop!”

My father turned to me. His eyes filled with fear.

“Vivian…”

“I’ll fix this!” I shouted, tears streaming down my face.

“I’m so sorry, Dad!” They started dragging him away.

“I’ll fix this, I promise!” He kept looking back at me until he was gone.

I stood there, frozen. My hands trembling. Tears falling uncontrollably. “No…”

My voice came out broken. “This can’t be happening…”

My chest felt like it was collapsing. I became filled with anger.

I pulled out my phone immediately. Dialed Jasper’s number.

He picked up. “Vivian.”

I didn’t waste time.

“How dare you?!” I shouted, my voice shaking with rage.

“What seems to be the problem?”

“You set him up!” I snapped.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You used dirty money!” I yelled. “You used laundered money to pay his debt!”

“And what did you expect?”

The words hit hard. My breath caught.

“Because of you…” he continued, “…my father is dead.”

My eyes widened.

“I had nothing to do with that!” I shouted. “Nothing at all!”

“Really?” he said calmly.

My heart pounded.

“Should I tell Edward about the attack at the mansion?”

My breath hitched.

“You had everything to do with it,” he said.

My fingers tightened around my phone.

“You’re an animal,” I whispered.

He laughed. A dark, mocking laugh.

“You didn’t even succeed,” he added. “Edward and Elara are still together.”

My chest burned.

“Love birds,” he said with disgust.

Tears filled my eyes again.

“You’re useless, Vivian,” he continued. “Completely useless to me.”

My lips trembled.

“You’re lucky you’re still alive.”

My heart skipped.

“I would have killed you off already.”

My breathing became uneven.

“In fact…” he added, his voice dropping, “…you should start watching your back.”

Something inside me snapped.

“You might want to think twice about that,” I said.

Silence. “Oh?” he said.

I wiped my tears roughly.

“I have something you need.”

“What is it?”

I smirked slightly. “I have the book. The book you asked me to get,” I continued. “From Edward’s room.”

His tone changed immediately.

“Vivian…”

“I’ll make you pay for what you’ve done,” I said.

“Alright.” His voice softened. “Let’s start over.”

I frowned. “What?”

“I can still help your father,” he said. “But you have to help me.”

I didn’t respond.

“If you give me the book…” he continued, “…I’ll clear all the charges against him.”

My heart wavered.

“I can fix everything. All you have to do… is give me the Book of Bloodlines.”

I swallowed hard. “Why do you need it?”

A pause.

“Tell me why,” I said. “Or you’re not getting it.”

“You don’t trust me?” he asked.

I let out a bitter laugh. “Am I supposed to?”

“Alright. That book will prove Edward is not a true blood.”

My breath caught.

“What?”

“Have you never wondered?” he continued. “Why Ma’am Albright treats him the way she does?”

My mind raced.

“She’s not just a maid,” he said. “She’s his mother.”

My eyes widened.

“What?”

“Edward’s father couldn’t have a child with his wife,” Jasper continued. “So he slept with Ma’am Albright.”

My chest tightened.

“And Edward was born. The Book of Bloodlines will prove it,” he added. “The Moon Goddess records fated pairs. His parents’ names are there.”

I couldn’t speak.

“Get me that book,” he said, “and I’ll make sure your father walks free.”

Then his voice dropped. “Don’t you want Edward to pay?”

My jaw clenched.

“He left you,” Jasper continued. “He chose Elara over you.”

Tears filled my eyes again.

“Think about it,” he said.

The line went silent. I ended the call. I sat there in my car, shaking.

My mind replaying everything. Ma’am Albright… Edward’s mother?

I pressed my hands against my head.

“This is too much…” Tears fell again.

“I don’t know what to do…”

I had no one, no friends, no one I could talk to.

Then suddenly a thought. Calista.

I picked up my phone again. Dialed her number.

She answered. “Vivian?”

I broke immediately. “I’m sorry…” I cried. “I’m so sorry to disturb you…”

“Hey, calm down,” she said quickly. “What’s wrong?”

“My dad…” I sobbed. “He’s been arrested again… I don’t know what to do…” I whispered.

“Okay,” Calista said softly. “Don’t cry.”

“I’ll come out,” she added. “We’ll talk about everything.”

I wiped my tears. “O–okay…”

“Send me your location,” she said. I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me.

And ended the call.

Right now, I am completely lost.