Inheritance of Silence

Raisel - POV

Killian’s gaze flicked over to Jace, his tone sharpened with quiet urgency.

“To stop Davina from taking over Dalton’s estate?” he asked. “As far as I know, she’s already spent a fortune bribing victims,

erasing every shred of evidence.”

Killian continued, eyes fixed on me. “Raisel’s carrying Soren’s child. That connects her—technically—to the Dalton family.”

Jace blinked rapidly, visibly startled. The news had shocked him.

Hazel spoke up, her voice tight with concern. “This isn’t a good idea.”

“I agree,” I said softly. I already knew what she was thinking, because the same storm was brewing in me.

“Why not?” Killian’s eyes landed on me, waiting.

“I won’t gamble with my child’s life,” I said, my voice barely steady. “Davina isn’t just cruel—she’s dangerous. Standing up to

her…” I let out a shaky breath. “I can’t take that risk.”

“There’s no other choice.” Killian’s expression hardened. “You think I haven’t thought of that?”

“Then why are you pushing this?” I snapped. “I care about this child more than any amount of money.”

He exhaled loudly, tension leaking from every breath. It was the first time I’d seen him this frustrated.

“Let me remind you,” he said coldly, “Davina wants power—and money gives her that. Once she has it, her next move will be lethal.

A hired hitman will kill you.”

I turned my face away. He was right. Hazel and Fiora looked just as lost as I felt.

“I get it,” Jace cut in, voice low. “Still… why didn’t Mr. Beau leave a will?”

He paused, eyes narrowing. “Unless… he hid it.”

“Then we need to find it. Fast,” Killian said.

Jace was halfway to the door when he hesitated. “There’s one thing I don’t get, Raisel. Why are you doing all this? I mean, yeah, you

helped Soren with that deal, but this?”

Killian answered before I could. “Because she’s doing what’s right for family.”

He looked at me. I gave him a small, tired smile. Jace, however, didn’t seem convinced. His eyes lingered on Killian with quiet suspicion.

“I’m coming to the mansion,” I said.

Jace nodded.

“We’re coming too,” Hazel and Fiora added. Killian left on his own, and the rest of us piled into Jace’s car, heading toward the

Dalton estate.

“I just hope Davina doesn’t get there first,” I murmured.

“She’ll be released tomorrow morning,” Jace said. “Her bail was delayed due to paperwork.”

As the mansion came into view, my heart clenched. Security was still tight, but we passed through with ease—no questions asked.

They recognized us. But having all four of us show up? That might raise more questions than we could afford.

Inside, Fiora and Hazel headed down one wing while Jace and I went toward Mr. Beau’s study.

“You’re really not telling Soren about the pregnancy?” Jace asked while we rifled through drawers.

“I want to… in person.”

He sighed. “You’re sure? The investigator assigned to Soren’s case—Mathew—he’s no one to mess with.”

“You think this will take longer than we thought?”

“Way longer,” Jace said, frowning. “Mathew doesn’t stop until he’s turned over every stone. I’m just saying… you might want to

reconsider.”

“No,” I cut in. “If I tell Soren now, he’ll do something reckless. He’ll try to find me.”

Jace was quiet for a beat before we both realized—there was no will.

Nothing.

“Maybe you’re right,” he muttered. “Do what you think is best.”

“Yeah... I just hate this distance from him,” I whispered.

“You should’ve seen Soren’s face. He was torn apart… being away from you.”

I closed my eyes and pictured him. His sad smile. The way he looked at me like I was his home. I sighed in sadness.

We searched until our bodies ached and our patience wore thin. Eventually, the four of us collapsed into chairs, defeated. My limbs were sore. Hazel wandered into the kitchen to find us something to eat—there were no staff here anymore. No one had stayed since

Mr. Beau died.

“That man planned for everything,” Jace muttered. “And yet no will? What happens now—let the government take over?”

“I’ve been thinking the same thing,” I replied. “Maybe we should call his lawyer. Do you know who it is?”

“No clue,” Jace admitted.

“We can hack into his systems,” Fiora offered, already moving toward the office. “Might lead us somewhere.”

“Genius,” I whispered.

“Vixen,” Jace muttered under his breath.

I raised a brow. “What was that?”

“Nothing.”

I gave him a look. “You’ve got a thing for my friend, don’t you?”

“She’s not my type,” he said quickly. Too quickly.

Fiora clearly heard. Her face stayed unreadable, but her silence said enough. Jace was an idiot.

And then—Fiora froze in front of the computer screen. Her fingers hovered just above the keyboard.

“There’s something here,” she whispered. “Something hidden in the private archives…”

We all leaned in, breath caught in our throats. The screen flickered, then unlocked—

And what we saw next would change everything.