Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Blair sat in the passenger seat of Roman’s car, staring out at the city lights as they drove back. Her throat was raw from giving her statement, and she felt emotionally drained in a way she hadn’t expected. They had told Roman’s family that she was ok but they had been kept away from the funeral for safety reasons.
It was over. They had let their friends and work colleagues know she wasn’t dead. Even the media had been informed that due to a mixup, Blair had been declared dead.
But she was very much alive. Roman had made a huge donation to the hospital for all the trouble. But it was finally over.
They would find out within a few days if aunt Viv had been involved. Laura had been too young at the time.
“You’re quiet,” Roman observed, reaching over to take her hand.
“I keep thinking I should feel more… victorious, I guess?” Blair said softly. “We got him. He confessed to everything. But I just feel empty.”
“It doesn’t bring them back,” Roman said gently.
“No, it doesn’t.” Blair squeezed his hand. “But at least now we know the truth. And he can’t hurt anyone else.”
Her phone buzzed with a text from Sutton: Aunt Viv is awake. Doctor says she’s okay, just shock. She wants to see you when you’re ready. I don’t think she had any idea. The FBI are here now talking to her.
Aunt Viv had fainted, but then when she came to, she had needed to be sedated when the events of the day had become
MTs had been called, and she had been taken to the hospital.
Roman the message. “I should probably go to the hospital.”
sure you’re up for that tonight? It’s been a hell of a day.”
“I need to face this. All of it.” Blair looked at him seriously. “But first, there’s something else I need to deal with.”
“Laura?”
“Laura.” Blair pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts. “I think it’s time she heard from the dead.”
She hit call and put the phone on speaker. Laura answered on the second ring.
“Hello?” Laura’s voice didn’t sound that upset.
“Hi, Laura. It’s Blair. You know, the allegedly dead woman whose funeral you attended today?”
There was a long pause. “Blair, what the hell is going on? How are you… I mean, we saw you…”
“Die? Yes, well, reports of my death were greatly exaggerated.” Blair’s voice was ice cold.
“I don’t understand-”
“I was never dead.” Blair’s tone brooked no argument. “And Laura, I hate to tell you this, but your father has been arrested, your mother has been taken to hospital and the real kicker is you’re broke. Everything you have enjoyed for years, the money, the easy life. Well, it’s not yours. It will be seized. I really hoped you saved your modeling money cousin because it’s the only thing you will be allowed to keep.”
She hung up without waiting for a response.
Roman raised an eyebrow. “Subtle,”
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“I’m done being subtle.” Blair leaned back in her seat. “I’ve spent years being careful, being grateful, being the bigger person. Today I watched my uncle confess to murdering my parents. I’m officially out of patience for people who’ve wronged me, and Laura is a prize bitch–she made our lives miserable.” She grinned at him. “Better me than Keira. Trust me.” Now they would see if Dan really loved Laura.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the Hospital that aunt Viv had been taken to. Blair found Sutton and Keira in the waiting area, both looking exhausted.
“How is she?” Blair asked, settling into a chair beside them.
“Physically fine.” Keira said. “Emotionally… well, finding out your husband is a murderer tends to mess with your head.”
“The FBI finished questioning her an hour ago,” Sutton added. “Agent Rogers said they’re confident she wasn’t involved with the murders. All the financial records show Peter had control over the money. So she could still be involved with stealing our inheritance. We’ll know in a few days, I’m sure, but I honestly don’t know. She’s saying she didn’t know.”
Blair sighed. “I should see her.”
“Room 314,” Sutton said. “Fair warning. She’s pretty fragile right now.”
Blair found Aunt Vivian staring out the hospital window, looking far older than her fifty–eight years. When she heard Blair enter, she turned with red–rimmed eyes.
“Blair,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea. All these years…”
“I know,” Blair said gently, taking the chair beside the bed. “The FBI confirmed you weren’t involved in the murders. But Vivian, how could you not know about the money? From what we understand, you and Peter didn’t have the money back then to save our family business had it truly been in trouble.” *She couldn’t even bring herself to say “auntie.”*
dn’t want to see it, but I should have seen it. Should have questioned why we always had money troubles before of a sudden we pulled your parents‘ business from the brink and then we were swimming in money, why Peter
secretive about finances.” Vivian’s voice broke. “It all wouldn’t be so bad had I not married a killer. Money a small thing compared to that.”
Yes, you should have asked questions. The thing I can’t get over is how you treated us. We were children. You didn’t support us emotionally or financially growing up. But your daughter got the best of everything.”
“I know, I know… I’m so sorry. I listened to Peter when he said it would build character.”
Blair laughed. “Then it might have helped with Laura.” Because Laura was the bitch, she called her.
“You’re right” Vivian looked at her with haunted eyes. “I’m sorry. We all have things to be remorseful over.”
Blair didn’t want to kick Vivian while she was down. Not anymore. This was going to be tough on her going forward. A very public murder trial.
“What happens now?” Vivian asked. “To me, I mean. I know the money will go back to you girls, as it should. But where does that leave me?”
“That’s up to you,” Blair said honestly. “You can start over. I’m sure my sisters will agree to giving you some money to help set you up. If it does come back that you were not involved. But the house will be sold and everything you bought using our money.”
“Blood money,” Vivian said bitterly. “Everything we had was built on your parents‘ deaths.”
Blair nodded.
Vivian was quiet for a long moment. “Laura called me crying about twenty minutes ago. Said you’d told her she was broke?”
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“She is. Everything Peter had will be seized as proceeds of crime. The FBI was very clear about that.”
“She’s pregnant, Blair. And scared.”
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“She’s also an adult who made her own choices. Laura is young enough. She has Dan.” Not like Dan was a prize in her eyes. “We can’t be responsible for everyone’s problems anymore.”
“No,” Vivian said quietly. “I suppose you can’t.” She reached over and squeezed Blair’s hand. “Your parents would be so proud of you. All three of you. It could have turned out so different.”
Blair felt tears prick her eyes. “I hope so.”
“I know so.” Vivian’s grip tightened. “And Blair? I know I have no right to ask this, but… could you find it in your heart to forgive a foolish old woman who should have protected you better? I should have loved you.”
Blair looked at her, really looked at her. Vivian had lost everything, too. Her husband, her sense of reality. But she couldn’t see her as a victim. She would lose the name she had made for herself. When status had been so important.
“I will forgive you, but I’ll never forget,” Blair said softly.
Vivian broke down then, sobbing. Blair held her hand until the tears subsided.
“What will you do now?” Vivian asked when she could speak again.
Blair thought about it. “Live my life. Marry Roman. Work out what is going to happen to our parents‘ business. Mom and Dad would have wanted us to hold on to it.” She paused. “What about you?”
“I think I’ll go stay with my sister in Portland for a while. Try to figure out who I am when I’m not Peter Warner’s wife.” Vivian managed a small smile. “I don’t want to be around for Peter’s trial.”
“That sounds like a good plan.”
As Blair prepared to leave, Vivian called out, “Blair? What should I tell Laura when she calls again? Because she will call again.”
Blair paused at the doorway. “Tell her the truth. That actions have consequences, and she’s about to learn what hers are. Tell her to get a job. Tell her it builds character.”
And with that, Blair walked out of the hospital room, ready to start the next chapter of her life.
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Chapter 75
