Chapter 7

Vesper immediately pulled her hand back and lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry. I was only trying to help.”

“Stop pretending.”

Her expression changed for half a second before she quickly put the innocent look back on her face.

“What?”

“You heard me.”

I pointed at the broken urn in my arms. “You’ve already taken everything from me, so what else do you want?”

Silas’s expression darkened. “Raven, that’s fucking enough”

I let out a bitter laugh. “No, Silas. It isn’t enough for you, is it?!” I looked at Vesper first. “First, you took my daughter.” Then I turned back to Silas. “Then you took my father.”

I looked down at the broken urn in my arms before meeting his eyes again.

“And now you’re taking their graves too?!” Rain ran down my face, mixing with the tears I couldn't stop. “Tell me, Silas. When will you finally be satisfied?”

Looking at Vesper’s fake, innocent expression, I felt nothing but hatred. I had seen that face too many times, always perfectly soft and harmless whenever Silas was watching.

“I don’t need your act, Vesper.”

She blinked at me, then lowered her eyes as if I had genuinely hurt her. “I don’t know what you mean, Raven. I really didn’t know those were your family’s graves.”

“Stop pretending.”

I stepped toward her, but before I could even touch her, Vesper suddenly stumbled backward.

“Ah!”

She was about to fall into the mud when Silas immediately caught her and pulled her into his arms. His eyes turned cold as he looked at me.

“Raven, she didn’t mean to do anything. Why the hell are you being so aggressive with her?”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“Didn’t mean to?”

I pointed at the broken urn still clutched against my chest. “How does one innocent mistake end with my daughter’s grave being dug up? How does it end with my father’s ashes being thrown around?”

Vesper leaned against Silas, tears gathering in her eyes. “My tortoise wasn’t just an animal, Raven. He was my family. He was like my baby. I never would have asked anyone to hurt Riley or your father.”

She made herself look like the victim while Silas looked at me as if I were some cruel woman attacking a helpless girl. Then he turned toward me.

“It’s just a cemetery, Raven.”

I froze.

He continued without a trace of emotion. “Your father is already dead. Wherever you bury his ashes won’t change anything.”

I stared at him. “Are you seriously saying that?”

His expression didn't change. “What else do you want me to say? Raven, you’re too emotional right now. It’s only a cemetery. Don’t turn this into something bigger than it is. Vesper wants this plot, so give it to her.”

My eyes widened.

“No.”

I rushed forward. “You can’t do this!”

Two of Silas’s men immediately grabbed me and forced me down.

“Let me go!”

I fought against them, but they held me tightly.

“Silas!”

He didn't even turn around.

“Please!”

Thunder rolled above us, and I could barely tell the rain from my tears.

“Silas, please!”

He simply turned away and walked off with Vesper.

Vesper looked back once. For a brief second, the tears disappeared from her face.

She smiled.

It was tiny.

Satisfied.

Then she turned and followed Silas.

...

I didn't know how I got home. The moment I arrived, I collapsed with a high fever and remained in bed for several days. When I finally felt strong enough to stand, I decided to get my passport.

I was leaving.

I didn't care where I went. I just knew I couldn't stay beside Silas anymore.

But when I reached the front door, I saw Silas and Vesper returning from outside.

Vesper noticed me first and immediately put on that sweet expression.

“Raven!”

She walked toward me and gently reached for my hand. “You look much better. I was so worried about you.”

I pulled my hand away.

She pretended not to notice.

“There’s a charity gala tonight, and Silas is attending. Why don’t you come with us?”

“I’ve got somewhere to be.”

Silas reached over and caught my hand before I could leave.

“Come with us.”

I looked at him. “I don’t want to.”

Vesper quickly stepped in, her expression filled with concern. “Please, Raven. I don’t want you staying home alone after everything that’s happened. I’d feel much better if you came with us.”

I knew it was an act.

But I didn't want another fight, so I nodded.

“Fine.”

The charity gala was already crowded when we arrived. The moment Silas stepped inside with Vesper and me, whispers immediately spread through the room.

“Isn’t that Vesper Pierce?”

“The woman who’s been in love with Silas for years?”

“I heard Silas only married Raven because he needed a cover for Vesper.”

“Exactly. His enemies knew Vesper was his weakness, so he married Raven to make everyone believe she was the woman he loved.”

“Then Raven was just a shield?”

“That’s what I heard. Silas wanted his enemies to think Raven was his highest priority so nobody would target Vesper.”

“Poor Raven. She probably thought she actually married for love.”

“I heard Vesper is Silas’s highest treasure.”

“My cousin works for the Thorne family. She said Silas would burn half of Europe to protect that woman.”

“I heard he’d burn the whole damn world for her.”

“Then why did he marry Raven?”

“Because Raven was useful. She’s a specialist in toxins. Silas was poisoned years ago, remember? She saved his life. And after that, he married her to keep Vesper safe.”

The whispers followed us deeper into the ballroom.

I kept walking as if I hadn't heard any of it.

But every word cut deeper than the last.

Vesper seemed to enjoy the attention. She stayed close to Silas, occasionally lowering her eyes whenever someone looked at her, playing the innocent woman who had never asked for any of this.

Silas didn't correct a single rumor.

He didn't defend me.

He didn't deny that I had only been his shield.

That silence told me everything.

The charity gala began with an auction, and I barely paid attention. My mind was already somewhere else. I was waiting for an opportunity to leave when Vesper suddenly reached over and caught my hand.

“Raven, wait.”

I looked at her. “I’m leaving.”

She smiled sweetly. “Not yet. You’ll want to see the next item.”

I frowned. “Why?”

She didn't answer.

The auctioneer stepped onto the stage as several staff members brought out a large display case. “Our next item is a collection of military memorabilia.”

I looked up, and then I froze.