Chapter 192 – The Truth I Never Wanted
I stared at the book. The Book of Bloodlines. It was supposed to be in my study. Untouched.
Yet… there it was. In Vivian’s hands. I slowly lifted my gaze to her.
“What is the meaning of this, Vivian?”
My voice came out calm. But inside nothing about me was calm.
She flinched. “I’m sorry…” she said quickly, her voice shaking. “Please… let me explain. I can explain.”
I leaned back slightly, my eyes fixed on her. “You better start explaining.”
Silence filled the room. For a second, she just stared at me, like she didn’t even know where to begin.
Then she took a deep breath. “I need to confess something to you.”
I didn’t interrupt.
“I’ve been so mean,” she continued, her voice breaking. “I’ve been… bad. I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of.”
Her fingers tightened around her bag. “But I’m here to make amends.”
I watched her carefully.
“Edward…” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. “You’ve been so good to me.”
My jaw clenched.
“We’ve been friends… you’ve loved me… you made sure I never lacked anything.”
I looked away briefly. Memories, old ones, things I didn’t want to revisit, started coming back.
“But I messed everything up,” she said, her voice cracking. “And I’m sorry.”
Silence.
“I’m not here asking you to take me back,”
I looked at her again. “The thing is...”
A pause.
“My father…” she continued softly. “He was in debt and his company folded.”
I nodded slowly. “I know.”
She swallowed.
“He couldn’t pay back the investors… and because of that, he was arrested. He’s been waiting for trial.”
I stayed quiet. Then she said it.
“Jasper got in my head.”
My expression hardened.
“He promised to help me,” she continued. “He said he would clear my father’s debts.”
My fingers tightened on the arm of my chair.
“But there was a condition.”
I leaned forward slightly. “What condition?”
Her eyes dropped. “He said I should help him break your relationship with Elara.”
Silence.
“And help him steal this book from your study.”
Everything inside me froze. My voice came out low.
“Vivian…” I stared at her. “What did you just say?”
She looked up at me, tears falling freely now.
“I’m telling you the truth.” The room felt colder.
“He planned everything,” she continued. “Everything that happened on Elara’s birthday night…”
My chest tightened.
“I didn’t just act out of anger,” she admitted. “Jasper told me what to say. He told me when to say it.”
My jaw clenched.
“Yes, I saw Elara with a man at the fence,” she added quickly. “And yes, I knew about her healing powers.”
I didn’t blink.
“But it wasn’t my place,” she said, shaking her head. “It wasn’t my place to talk about her like that. And not on that day, in front of everyone.”
Her voice broke again. “I’m sorry.”
Silence stretched between us. Then I asked. “So why now?”
She looked at me. Hopeless.
“I don’t have anyone else.” The words hit differently.
“Jasper deceived me,” she continued. “He paid my father’s debts with laundered money.”
My brows furrowed.
“And now… my father has been re–arrested.”
I exhaled slowly.
“He’s in more trouble than before,” she whispered. “And… he might never come out.”
Her voice cracked completely. “You’re the only person I can come to.”
I closed my eyes briefly.
“Please, Edward,” she said. “Help me.”
For a moment, I didn’t say anything. I just… thought.
I processed everything she said. Everything that had happened.
Then I opened my eyes. “Fine. I’ll look into your father’s case,” I continued. “I’ll speak to people. I’ll see what can be done.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
I nodded slightly. Relief flooded her face instantly.
“Thank you… thank you so much…”
“Don’t thank me yet.”
She stopped immediately.
“You have to do something first.”
Her expression turned serious.
“Anything,” she said quickly. “Just tell me.”
I held her gaze. “You will apologize to Elara.”
She nodded immediately.
“And you will apologize to Ma’am Albright.”
I paused. “My mother.”
Something caught my attention. She didn’t react.
“You’re not surprised?” I asked.
She shook her head slowly. “No.”
My brows furrowed. “How did you know? From the book?”
“Jasper told me,” she said quietly.
My expression darkened.
“That’s why he wanted the book,” she added. “He said he wants to use it against you.”
My chest tightened.
“He wants to prove that you’re not a true blood,” she said. “He wants to take your place.”
I exhaled slowly.
“And I don’t know what exactly he’s planning,” she added. “But it’s not good.”
I nodded once. “Thank you, Vivian.”
She looked relieved. “I’ll start working on your father’s case,” I said.
Tears filled her eyes again. “Thank you,” she whispered.
She stood up slowly. “I’ll go to the mansion,” she said. “I’ll apologize to Elara… and Ma’am Albright.”
I nodded. “Alright.”
She hesitated for a second. Then, “Bye, Edward.”
“Bye, Vivian.”
She turned and walked out. The room fell silent again.
But my mind wasn’t. Not even close. I kept wondering why Jasper would do such a thing.
I picked up my phone. I needed to talk to Kian.
I dialed his number but before the call could go through another call came in.
I saw the name, Alpha Dominic. My eyes narrowed slightly.
It had been a long time. I picked up. “Alpha Dominic.”
“Edward.”
We exchanged brief greetings. Then he asked. “Are you alone?”
I glanced around my office. “Yes.”
“I think we need to meet.”
My brows furrowed. “What is this about?”
“It’s about your cousin.” My chest tightened.
“Jasper was at my place.”
My grip on the phone tightened. “And?”
“He told me something interesting.” I leaned forward slightly.
“What did he say?”
“He claims you’re not a true blood.”
My jaw clenched.
“And you shouldn’t be the ruling Alpha.”
My chest rose and fell slowly.
“We need to talk,” Alpha Dominic added.
“I’m coming,” I said immediately.
“No.”
I paused.
“Don’t come to my place,” he said. “Let’s meet somewhere neutral.”
I nodded. “Alright.”
“I’ll send you a location.”
“Fine.” The call ended.
I stared at the phone for a moment. Then I looked at the book. Sitting on my table.
My family has known Alpha Dominic’s family for a long time now and I know he is not the type to bluff.
Everything seemed to be leading back to Jasper's plot.
I reached for the book, grabbed a bag and placed the book inside carefully, then wheeled myself out.
Titan drove me to the café. Alpha Dominic was already there. Seated and waiting.
I wheeled myself toward him.
“Edward,” he greeted.
“Dominic.” I sat across from him.
No small talk. No delay. He looked at me.
I reached into my bag. Pulled out the Book of Bloodlines and placed it on the table.
“Here it is.”
Silence filled the space between us, because whatever happened next would change everything.