Chapter 7
Christian was not arrested that night.
Fame slows consequences.
But it does not stop them when enough people are watching.
Police took his statement.
He lied.
Eleanor handed them recordings.
He lied differently.
Gabriel gave his sworn statement.
Christian’s lawyer arrived and told him to stop speaking.
That was the smartest thing anyone had told him in years.
The attacker was found at a motel near the airport.
His name was Colin Briggs.
He had cash, a burner phone, and a one-way ticket.
He also had messages from Gabriel’s assistant.
Gabriel went pale when he heard.
“I didn’t send anything.”
Eleanor looked at him.
“Who has access to your office?”
“Sabrina.”
Of course.
Sabrina had moved through Christian’s life like a shadow no one questioned.
Backing vocals.
Private rehearsals.
Late meetings.
A child hidden behind nondisclosure agreements.
Now acid.
The police arrested Colin before dawn.
He confessed within hours.
Sabrina paid him.
Christian approved it.
Dr. Lawson supplied medical updates so they knew when I would be alone.
I listened without crying.
That scared Eleanor.
“Genevieve.”
“I’m here.”
“You don’t have to be stone.”
“I’m not.”
I looked at the bandages reflected faintly in the dark window.
“I’m molten.”
She almost smiled.
Good.
I needed someone to understand.
The next day, Sabrina appeared on television.
She held Leo’s hand.
A beautiful little boy with Christian’s eyes.
She cried.
“I had no idea Christian was engaged when we reconnected.”
Lie.
“I only want peace for my son.”
Lie.
“I pray for Genevieve.”
Lie.
Leo looked confused.
Not guilty.
Never guilty.
I pointed at the screen.
“Protect the child.”
Eleanor nodded.
“From both of them?”
May you like
I watched Sabrina squeeze his shoulder too hard when he fidgeted.
“Yes.”
