Chapter 270
No. Absolutely not.
This was Eliana’s doing.
That girl—her so-called daughter—had slithered back into their lives like a ghost that refused to stay buried. Before Eliana, Rafael had been fragile. Isolated. Conveniently vulnerable. A problem, yes, but a manageable one. Mirabel had seen to that personally. She’d tried everything: tampering with his brakes (too obvious, in hindsight), slipping poison into drinks, also his food at family dinners (tragically wasted on Rafael’s annoying habit of not finishing his meals), hiring a thug who turned out to be more talk than talent, and bribing or threatening former caregivers who suddenly grew conscience or were just incompetent.
Each failure made Rafael sharper. More cautious. Still—he’d been reachable. Still removable.
Then Eliana ruined everything.
Rafael transformed overnight—from a lonely man into a walking fortress. Guards everywhere, wings of the mansion sealed off like a medieval stronghold, family cut off entirely because heaven forbid anyone breathe too close to Eliana. And then the ultimate insult: he followed her to London. Married her. And now she was pregnant, sitting comfortably atop his fortune, wielding his assets like a crowned queen who’d stolen Mirabel’s throne.
Unacceptable.
Mirabel would not lose her marriage, her empire, her carefully constructed legacy to that girl. No. Eliana would go first. An accident—tragic, unavoidable, the kind people shook their heads over before moving on. This mountain retreat was practically begging for it: narrow trails, steep drops, poor visibility once the sun dipped low.
In her mind, the plan slid neatly into place.
She’ll corner Eliana during the evening trail walk. A misplaced step. A sudden shove. The mountain would do the rest. The paths were treacherous, after all.
Simple. Clean.
And finally—mercifully—quiet.
Mirabel smoothed her silk blouse, her elegant frame regaining its icy poise. She joined the group just as the fireside chat transitioned to the planned night hike—a leisurely trail through the illuminated woods, perfect for “informal networking.” The path wound up the hillside, lanterns strung like stars along the way, offering breathtaking views of the valley below. Rafael, ever the strategist, was soon pulled aside by a cluster of CEOs eager for his insights on emerging tech markets. “Rafael, old chap,” one boomed, a portly man with a booming voice, “tell us about that AI venture of yours. Revolutionary, I hear p>
Rafael obliged, his voice dropping into that calm, authoritative cadence he reserved for things that had to be handled properly. He launched into specifics, methodical and precise, his back turned to the trail where Eliana had drifted a few paces away, quietly admiring the view as if danger didn’t exist within a fifty-mile radius.
What Mirabel didn’t know—because Mirabel rarely noticed anything that didn’t worship her—was that Eliana was very much not alone.
Rafael’s men were already in position, scattered with the ease of professionals who made vigilance look like leisure. Oliver dissolved into the treeline like a rumor, Will’s broad shoulders became just another stubborn boulder, and Liam tracked the world with the sharp stillness of a man who noticed everything. Kai lingered as a living shadow, Viktor anchored the trailhead with immovable patience, and Jax watched from a distance, relaxed but ready. They didn’t speak. They didn’t need to. Loyalty like theirs didn’t announce itself—it simply was.
That was when Mirabel made her move.
She slipped onto the path beside Eliana just as the others spaced out, her timing precise, her presence sharp as a blade sliding free of its sheath. The mountain air was crisp, pine-scented, alive with the soft hush of wind threading through the trees.
“Eliana, darling,” Mirabel purred, every syllable dripping with polished venom. Lantern light caught her tall frame, stretching her shadow long and theatrical across the stones. “Fancy meeting you here, away from all that tiresome company. How… fortuitous p>
Eliana turned slowly. Her eyes narrowed just a fraction—not in fear, but in recognition. The girl who had once flinched under Mirabel’s gaze was gone. Love, pregnancy, and survival had done their quiet, relentless work.
“Mother,” she said coolly, lips curving into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Or should I say, Mirabel? Since you’ve never really been one to me p>
Mirabel’s expression tightened, pearls at her throat gleaming like a row of very expensive teeth. “Now, now. No need for dramatics.” She stepped closer, heels clicking sharply against stone. “We are family, after all p>
She paused, gaze sweeping Eliana from head to toe. “But let’s be honest, shall we? You’ve wormed your way into quite the position. Rafael’s wife, his heir-bearer. All that power Her smile sharpened. “It must feel intoxicating. Am I right? But do be careful, dear. Fortunes have a habit of shifting when people grow too comfortable p>
Eliana didn’t retreat. She lifted her chin, meeting Mirabel’s stare without blinking. “Is that a warning,” she asked calmly, “or a threat? Because I’ve had enough of those from you—and frankly, I’m bored of them p>
The mountain wind stirred, quiet but watchful. And somewhere just beyond the trees, six men subtly adjusted their stance.
Mirabel laughed softly, a brittle sound that echoed off the rocks. “Threat? Oh, no. Just a mother’s advice. You know how fragile things can be up here in the mountains. A slip, a fall… and poof. Gone.” Her icy eyes flicked to Eliana’s belly, a smirk playing on her lips. “Especially with fragile pregnancies. One wrong step, and tragedy strikes p>
The words hung heavy, laced with malice. Eliana’s hand instinctively cradled her bump, but her voice remained steady, laced with quiet fury. “You think you can scare me? Not anymore. I’ve seen what you are—a snake in pearls. And beware, Mirabel. Or you’ll regret it. I’m going to make sure you pay for what you did to my father. Putting Papa in that coma? Know this, I’ll never forgive you. Your greed knows no bounds, but neither does my justice p>
Mirabel’s composure cracked for a split second, her smooth brown skin paling under the lanterns. “How dare you accuse me! You have no proof, you little ingrate. You think you can threaten me? I’ll crush you. Your fairy tale ends here—Rafael will see you for the gold-digger you are, and then p>
“Shut up,” Eliana cut in, her voice rising with emotional fire, eyes blazing. “You abandoned me, hurt everyone in your path. But I’m not your victim anymore. Touch me, and you’ll face hell. Rafael has eyes everywhere—you think you’re clever, but you’re blind p>
Mirabel leaned in, her breath hot and furious. “Blind? Oh, sweetie, you’re the one who’s blind. Pregnancies like yours… so delicate. No matter how many eyes he has p>
From the shadows nearby, where the CEOs’ laughter still bubbled, Rafael’s ear caught the sharpened tone of the exchange—though the words themselves were muffled by the wind. His jaw tightened, a muscle ticking like a time bomb. Something was wrong. Very wrong.