270- Secrets and Shattered Calm

270- Secrets and Shattered Calm
POV Raica:

Secrets and Shattered Calm

Shocked and jaw-dropped, my friend enters her brother-in-law’s apartment. On the way, I casually recount some details of what actually happened after Renan’s death. Isabella, always transparent, is frank when she feels betrayed or sidelined. God knows how much I wanted to spare her worries—she had suffered so many blows in such a short time, it wouldn’t have been fair to interrupt her happiness with my problems.

"Tell me the truth—my cushions and flowers didn’t add a touch to this room, did they?" I ask as we walk in.

"Of course they did—very gray, very Nicholas."

"Hello!" Leda greets us from the kitchen entrance but quickly walks straight toward Isabella. "I know you—you’re Dominic’s wife, right?"

Isabella smiles, slightly lost.

"Yes."

"I’m Leda. I’ve known the Whitmore brothers since they were kids, and we’re friends."

My friend raises an eyebrow, understanding there are no secrets here.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure’s mine, my dear. You’re even more beautiful in person." Leda kisses Isabella’s cheek and turns to me. "Nicholas has called a thousand times, and now you arrive home early. Did you fight?"

"I need some herbal tea and butter cookies, Leda," I say coyly.

"I’ll have coffee," Isabella adds.

Leda, always affectionate, slips an arm around each of our shoulders and drags us to the kitchen. Within seconds, a delicious cup of tea and another of coffee sit on the counter, accompanied by a tray of homemade buttery cookies.

Gael crosses the kitchen, shooting a sharp look to ensure Nicholas knows I’m home—or rather, in his house.

During the short time I savor my tea, Isabella stays quiet. Even with a wary gaze, she waits until my breathing steadies before launching her interrogation. Once we’re alone, I tell everything. I’m on the verge of a collapse from so much coughing.

"Don’t be upset, I didn’t want to ruin your moment," I explain.

"We’re sisters—you stayed in the hospital with me until I was discharged, remember? What right do you have to exclude me from your life when I needed you the most?"

"I… I’m okay," I sigh. "Those criminals will be caught, and this passion I discovered for Nicholas will fade."

She shakes her head, denying it.

"It’s crazy hearing you say that—especially you, in love with a version of Nicholas I can’t even comprehend, even after…"

She falls silent, but I know the secret stuck in her throat.

"I know what he did regarding Enzo." Her eyes widen in shock.

"Did he tell you?"

"No," I say. "I found the document by accident. I think I fell for him right there."

"Nicholas is a box of surprises—opaque, inconsistent, unpredictable. I don’t even know what to say about you two." She’s blunt.

"I saw his soul, Isabella." I rest my elbows on the counter. "I know the torments that trap him in that fucked-up personality he shows to everyone."

"I saw him too. I know his behavior is a shell. Even after what he did to me, I empathized—but…"

"I love him and I want to kill him. What the fuck kind of dilemma is that, bastard! That asshole took the bitch to Dubai in my place."

"Well, I’m dizzy from all this information. Let’s see: Nicholas created a fake relationship to protect you from the gang that killed Renan and destroyed your apartment. Then he brought her to live here, assigned a bodyguard for you at work, you guys had sex on my wedding day and didn’t stop like rabbits, and there’s even a ring, from what I see."

She lifts my hand to inspect the diamond. "My brother-in-law quit the nightlife to stay with you in recent days and even accepted the beauty of your adopted cat to please you. Did I forget anything?"

"I don’t think so," I say, impressed with her critical analysis.

"Yes, you did."

"What is it?"

"The month you were depressed in your room, he called me every day. I found his interest in your updates strange, and at the same time, cute, that he cared so much."

"He…?"

My eyes drop to the ring; I roll the piece with my fingertip, intrigued by its true value.

"Friend, I still haven’t put one Nicholas together with the other, but when he returns from Dubai, it’s worth a conversation. Who knows—maybe there’s an explanation?"

"I don’t know, Isabella."

"Preta, something’s wrong with this Dubai thing, especially after you guys had sex over video—it doesn’t make sense."

"Yeah, it doesn’t," I murmur.

"When does he come back?"

"Tomorrow, I believe."

"What do you intend to do—wait to talk to him or go home? You can rest and think about security."

"I don’t know, I’m confused. I need to call Rebecca, I want to know where the other bastards are, but I don’t have a phone—I dropped it and it smashed on the floor."

Isabella taps her fingers on the counter, thoughtful.

"I’ll sleep with you—"

"No, your man is waiting for you."

"Dominic can sleep alone one night. Tomorrow, when Nicholas arrives, I’ll leave. Don’t worry, your boss gave you two days off."

I cover my face, imagining the gossip.

"Fuck, the gossip is going to spread."

"Normal, remember me?" Isabella leaves her seat and hugs my back. "I’m with you, Preta. Everything will be fine."

"I don’t know," I murmur, unhappy.

"Raica, dear," Leda calls from the doorway, "investigator Rebecca Fontes is in the room."

"Rebecca? Oh God, she never dies."

In no time, we reach the room. I find an anxious investigator with a stern expression.

"Hello, Rebecca, how are you?" I ask, though her face already reveals much. She turns to Isabella. "This is my friend Isabella, Nicholas’ sister-in-law."

"Nice to meet you, I’m Rebecca."

"The pleasure is mine," Isabella responds.

"I’ve been trying to reach Mr. Whitmore—impossible to get through to him."

"He’s at an international engagement in Dubai."

"Ah, yes…" She exhales, clearly distressed.

"Tell me—did you catch the others?" I’m direct, offering neither coffee nor the comfort of the sofa. Rebecca doesn’t seem to bring good news. "I don’t see anything good in that expression of yours."

"Munhoz got a habeas corpus—the bastard was released an hour ago." She can’t hide her outrage and punches the air.

I stagger back—one of my brother’s killers has been released. It’s not fair.