Page 25 of Shattered Sinner
It would make the most sense. She was his opponent, and she had a lot to gain.
“We deserve a leader who is transparent, has no problem being held accountable, and one who truly cares about all of the residents of Brentson," Diana continued, her tone shifting from angry to compassionate.
I turned off the commercial before I could hear anything else. I needed to focus on any evidence that pointed to her being the suspect, not getting caught up in maybe this or potentially that.
I grabbed my laptop and booted it up. I started digging through news articles and social media posts, not sure what I was looking for or what I was hoping to find. However, my thoughts kept drifting back to the commercial. Diana's words lingered in my mind, and I wasn’t sure why.
Could she have hired someone to hack my computer or to follow Bianca around and take those photos? I wasn’t sure how many photos were sent to Van or which ones they were, which could be helpful in telling us one way or another.
How could I figure out a way to see the photos? Did it make sense for me to go and talk to Diana?
More importantly, I needed to decide if and when I was going to bring Bianca into this.
14
BIANCA
Ineeded to go to my parents this weekend to debrief them on my dinner date with Tristan. As I parked my car and walked toward their home, I could feel the tightness in my chest growing stronger. My childhood home, which should have been a beacon of safety, almost reminded me of a prison now.
Unsurprisingly, nothing had changed since I was home last. What also hadn’t changed was the feeling of dread that I had every time I stepped foot in here.
Part of me still wanted to try to fight against this engagement with all my heart. How could I make them understand that this marriage was not what was best for me or our family? I knew there was no chance in hell of me getting through to my father because of the money aspect and who knew what else. But maybe, just maybe, I could hold out hope for my mother. In regard to this, she might be the easiest to flip and then I might be able to have some leverage here.
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps, which were soon followed by my mother entering the hallway. As always, my mother looked put together, her hair perfectly coiffed and her clothing crisp and clean. She looked like the epitome of a perfect politician’s wife. Although nothing on the surface showed this, beneath it all, I knew there was a fierce determination to maintain our family's reputation and lifestyle at all costs.
She was carrying what looked to be a tray that had tea and cookies on it. How ironic that she would serve something like this when I wasn’t the biggest fan of tea. My eyes focused on her smile, which looked anything but natural and her stare which showed a hint of sadness.
I followed her into the living room and watched as she set the tray down on the coffee table.
"Thanks for coming home," she said. "Please, take a seat."
Deep down, I could feel this wasn’t going to go well, but if I didn’t try again before I took action on my own, I would regret it.
“So, how was your dinner date with Tristan?”
“It was fine, but I still have no intention of marrying him.”
“Now, Bianca—”
“No. I know you and Dad want this arrangement, but this is my life. I don’t want to do this, so I won’t.”
My mother's face crumbled, and I felt the guilt settle in my stomach. I couldn’t help but wonder if she was about to turn on the waterworks. "You have to realize this marriage is the best thing for our family's future."
My frustration was quickly growing. How could she not see how wrong she was? How wrong this was?Why doesn’t she see what she is doing to me?
"Mom, I thought you would be on my side," I said, feeling foolish for holding out hope for such a thing. I’d always held onto hope that one day she’d choose me, but apparently that wasn’t today.
When my father entered the room, I could almost feel a shift in the temperature as his stern eyes fixated on me. "Bianca, we've discussed this already. The marriage will happen, whether you like it or not."
I stood up, my fists clenched to my sides, but ready to swing if necessary. "I said no. You’re not going to control my life and force me into a situation that I don’t want to be in.”
“I’ve already told her this marriage will secure her future and help us maintain our standing within the community,” my mom chimed in.
I turned to her and said, “But what about what I want? What about what makes me happy?”
“Sometimes we have to make sacrifices in life. Maybe you’ll grow to love Tristan.”
I had to be living in an alternate universe. Why did I even bother coming here?
