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Chapter 15 - Chapter 14: Suspension's Secrets

Days passed. Marilyn began to sense something was being hidden from her. Frances and Edward were acting strange, and the silence from her sister was deafening. Margaret had never gone this long without calling—especially not without updating their parents about her younger sibling's condition.

One night at the mansion…

"Marilyn, you look deep in thought," Frances said, watching her from the terrace.

"It's been months since Margaret last called. Mom and Dad are worried. They keep asking why she hasn't reached out," Marilyn sighed.

"Did you tell them she's in Spain with Edward and Lord Martin?" Frances replied quickly.

"Yes, but they're upset. Margaret didn't even say goodbye."

"Don't worry. They'll be back soon. After that, Lord Martin will arrange the formal engagement for Edward," Frances promised.

"I'll head to bed now. It's getting late," Marilyn said, following Frances inside.

That same night, Edward returned in secret. He parked far from the mansion so Marilyn wouldn't notice.

"Give it up, Tyra. Tell me where Vincent took my wife and children," Edward growled, voice trembling with rage.

"How many times do I have to tell you? I don't know where that bastard took your precious slut!" Tyra screamed, bound and defiant.

"You think I still believe your lies?" Edward asked coldly, sitting down, trying to restrain himself.

"My dear fiancé, no matter what you do, you'll never find Margaret. Kill me if you want—I don't care. And do you really think she'll ever forgive you easily for what you did?" she sneered.

"Because of you, everything fell apart. My only regret is ever meeting you," Edward said, standing to leave before he lost control.

But Tyra screamed after him. "Don't worry, Edward! Margaret's happy now—with Vincent—while you rot alone, empty and useless! I hope your bastard children will die too!"

In a flash of fury, Edward fired a shot into the old cabinet near her.

"Shut up!" he roared before storming out.

The Next Morning – Salazar Residence

"Margaret! Come out here!" Constance Moore, Vincent's mother, shouted at the gate.

Abraham rushed out, alarmed. "Constance, please don't make a scene, can you just act accordingly?"

"You have the nerve to say that? Where's your shameless daughter? Vincent hasn't come home in months!"

"Why drag my daughter into this again? Margaret only ever saw your son as a friend, despite the fact that I ordered my daughters long ago never to be with your son." Abraham said firmly.

"Don't cover for her, old man," Sylvia chimed in.

"There you go again—spreading lies about my daughter?" Abraham snapped mockingly.

"Bring Margaret out!" Sylvia demanded.

Abraham smirked and turned to Sylvia. "You should be ashamed. Didn't you and Vincent have a thing once? But you left him for some rich old man, and here you are calling my precious Margaret flirt. So tell me—who's the real itchy bitch one here?"

Sylvia fell silent. Constance fumed.

"You won't believe me? Fine. Come in and see for yourselves," Abraham said, opening the door wide for the two women.

The two women searched every room—but found nothing. They left, humiliated.

"See? I told you—they're just at work. You're too old to be falling for that crazy woman's stories," Abraham muttered, clearly annoyed.

At the Mansion – Noon

"Mildred, let me water the orchids for you, I'm free now and nothing else to do" Marilyn offered.

"Ma'am, Mrs. Hale asked me to water the orchids," the maid replied, uneasy.

"It's fine. I'm feeling bored and it's unsettling to think Lord Martin pay me to do jobs and now doing nothing keeping me unease. You better help out in the kitchen instead."

Reluctantly, Mildred handed over the broom. But just as Marilyn approached the orchids near the fenced patio, Frances appeared.

"Oh, Marilyn, let Mildred handle that. Come help me in the kitchen—teach me some new dishes for Lord Martin's arrival."

As they chatted, a loud thud echoed from the basement. Marilyn looked up, startled.

"What was that?" she asked.

"Huh? Nothing. Probably just something old falling over. Stuff from when Lord Martin was still alive…" Frances slipped.

"What ? What do you mean—when Lord Martin was still alive?" Marilyn asked, shocked.

"I-- I mean… when Lord Martin's mother was still alive," Frances quickly corrected he lies.

Marilyn shrugged, but suspicion clouded her face.

In Centrix County

"What's our next move, boss?" Jude asked as Edward poured himself a drink.

"We split up. We'll find Margaret faster that way."

"But boss, this is Mr. Lee's territory. He controls almost everything here."

"I don't care. I'm not afraid of him. He's tried to challenge me before—and always failed," Edward said coldly.

After his men left, Edward drove alone. He ended up at a park, lost in thought.

As he walked, he spotted a woman who looked just like Margaret. He jumped out of the car and embraced her from behind.

"Margaret… forgive me," he whispered, voice shaking.

The woman gasped. "I'm sorry, mister—I think you've got the wrong person," she said, pulling away.

Edward froze. It wasn't her.

"Freak," the woman snapped before walking off.

As the woman disappeared, Edward finally broke. For the second time, he wept for the woman who had truly loved him. But because of lies and betrayal, he had destroyed the one chance he had to be whole.

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