Chapter 145
Rafael’s mind spun, memories flashing like jagged shards of glass. Six days ago—yes, that was the day Eliana had ventured out to the pastry shop, meeting with James on that very route. The same day Rafael made the biggest mistake of his life.
Now these two showed up—Sarai and Bianca—smiling like they’d stepped out of a magazine, all poise and perfume. But beneath those perfect smiles, he sensed something rotten. Something deliberate. The timing was too clean, too precise to be chance.
His gut twisted, that primal instinct screaming that they’d done something to her. He could feel it in his bones, deep and unshakable. Fear gripped him first—cold and suffocating—before melting into a surge of molten anger that threatened to burn straight through his composure.
His hands tightened on the armrests of his wheelchair until his knuckles blanched. But outwardly, he forced calm. He drew a slow breath, his expression softening into something almost concerned, practiced empathy slipping into place. If they thought he was fooled, good. Let them keep smiling.
Inside, however, Rafael was already dissecting every glance, every inflection in their voices, ready to peel back their lies layer by layer until the truth bled through. He had to know if they were lying to him. He secretly hoped so.
“Is this true?” he demanded, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous timbre. “An accident? Where is she now? What happened exactly p>
Sarai nodded vigorously, her fake tears streaming anew as she met his ’sightless’ gaze with wide, innocent eyes. “It’s true, Mr. Vexley. I swear it. The friend saw the wreckage on the news—twisted metal, ambulances everywhere. They recognized Eliana as the victim. They couldn’t have been mistaken. But… but no one knows if she survived. It’s like she vanished after that p>
Bianca chimed in, her voice smooth as silk but edged with hidden glee. “Ever since we found out, we’ve been calling around, but nothing. Hospitals, police—no trace. That’s why we’re here. We thought maybe you, with your resources, might know something. Have you heard any whispers? Seen any reports p>
Rafael’s pulse thundered in his ears, the room spinning with the weight of their lies. He wanted to lunge from his chair, expose his facade, and wring the truth from them. But he held back, his calculating mind overriding the emotion. “A hospital,” he pressed, forcing calm into his words. “Do either of you have any idea which one she might have been taken to? If this accident happened, there must be records p>
Sarai shook her head, her sobs quieting to dramatic hiccups as she clutched Bianca’s hand. “No… no, we don’t. We’ve tried everything—friends, contacts. It’s like she just… disappeared. That’s what scares me most. What if she’s hurt, alone somewhere p>
Bianca squeezed her sister’s hand, their unbreakable bond evident in the subtle glance they shared—a silent toast to their cunning. “Exactly. Mr. Vexley, if you know anything—anything at all—please tell us. For Eliana’s sake p>
Rafael sat back, his mind a whirlwind of dread and determination. The pieces were falling into place, dark and treacherous. These sisters weren’t here to help; they were here to gloat, to confirm their handiwork. But he wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. Not yet.
The tension in the room thickened, settling like fog between them. Sarai shot a quick look at Bianca, her crocodile tears already drying to a faint shimmer on her cheeks. She leaned in, lowering her voice just enough to make it sound conspiratorial, though she clearly wanted Rafael to hear every word.
“Sis,” she murmured, feigning uncertainty, “do you think we should tell him what our friends told us? About Eliana—how she was wandering around town with that Henry guy, dripping in gifts he bought her before the accident p>
Bianca hesitated just long enough to sell the act, her brows furrowing in what looked like moral conflict. Then she sighed, all gentle reluctance and false compassion. “Oh, Sarai… I don’t know. It might hurt him to hear that.” A beat. “But… maybe he deserves to know p>
Her gaze snapped to Rafael, and the shift was almost theatrical. “Mr. Vexley,” she began sweetly, every syllable polished and precise, “our friend mentioned something rather troubling. Apparently, Eliana was seen with someone—a man named Henry Jackson. Word is, she was parading around town in his arms while he spoiled her with expensive gifts p>
Bianca tilted her head slightly, lips curving into a look that was half pity, half provocation. “I thought you two were… close? Or was I mistaken p>
The words dripped with sugar, but Rafael could taste the venom beneath.
Rafael’s anger flared inwardly, but he kept his voice steady. This stupid rats! “Henry? That’s absurd. Eliana wouldn’t p>
Sarai interrupted with a fresh wave of sobs. “But she did! I saw the tension between you two. She confided in me, you know. At the restaurant that day, when we both went to the restroom. Said she felt trapped here, with your… condition. Oh, Rafael, I’m so sorry p>
“Trapped?” Rafael echoed, his tone laced with sarcasm that masked his pain. “Eliana never said that to me. And you two—how convenient that you’re the bearers of this news. Tell me, Sarai, why tell me all this? You and Eliana were best friends, weren’t you? She even confided in you, didn’t she p>
Sarai sniffled, her smile flickering briefly. “We were… are! That’s why this hurts so much. She’s like a sister to me—well, not like Bianca, of course. We’re inseparable, two peas in a pod. But Eliana… she deserved better than this mess p>
Bianca nodded vigorously. “Absolutely. We’ve always had each other’s backs. Unlike some people who abandon their friends p>
Rafael probed further, his questions sharp. “And this mutual friend—who are they? Give me a name. I can have my people verify p>
Sarai hesitated, her green eyes darting to Bianca for support. “Oh, it’s… anonymous, really. A tip from the grapevine. But trust me, it’s reliable p>
“Trust you?” Rafael chuckled darkly, the sound devoid of humor. “That’s rich, coming from you two. But fine—let’s say I believe you. What hospital? Think hard p>
Bianca leaned in, her smirk barely contained. “We told you, we don’t know. That’s why we’re here, begging for your help. You’re the powerful one, after all p>
The room crackled with unspoken accusations, the air thick with betrayal. Rafael’s heart ached for Eliana, his mind plotting his next move. These sisters thought they had him cornered, but the game was far from over.
First things first—he had to find Eliana. Everything else could burn for all he cared. The lies, the games, the smug looks on those sisters’ faces—none of it mattered until he knew she was safe.
He drew in a steady breath, forcing his pulse to slow. The vipers could wait; their reckoning would come soon enough. But Eliana… she came first. Always.