Chapter 6 - The Woman Reed Called His Mother Walked Into My Life With a Smile—And Quietly Threatened to Take My Daughter ForeverVivian Callaway arrived at the restaurant at noon.
She looked nothing like the woman I'd imagined.
Perfect hair.
Cream coat.
Diamond earrings.
Warm smile.
The kind of woman who could sit beside a senator and make everyone believe she was harmless.
She looked at Ava.
“How beautiful.”
I stepped between them.
Vivian smiled.
“You must be Claire.”
“Yes.”
“I've heard so much about you.”
“From whom?”
“Reed.”
I looked at him.
He stood behind her.
His expression was cold.
“Mother.”
“Reed.”
They stared at each other.
No affection.
No warmth.
Only history.
Vivian looked at me.
“Your daughter is special.”
“She’s my daughter.”
“Of course.”
Her smile remained.
“But she also carries something that belongs to my family.”
I touched Ava's locket.
Vivian's eyes immediately moved toward it.
Reed noticed.
“Don't.”
Vivian laughed softly.
“You're protecting her.”
“Yes.”
“From me?”
“Yes.”
She looked amused.
“You've always been dramatic.”
Reed stepped forward.
“Leave.”
“Not until I get what belongs to me.”
“You won't.”
She turned toward me.
“Claire, you don't understand what you've become involved in.”
“I understand enough.”
“No.”
Her smile disappeared.
“You don't.”
She leaned closer.
“You think Reed can protect you forever?”
I said nothing.
“He couldn't even protect his father.”
Reed's face hardened.
“Get out.”
Vivian left.
But not before whispering:
“Ask him what happened the night Victor died.”
I turned to Reed.
“What happened?”
He didn't answer.
“Reed.”
He looked away.
“Not now.”
That was when I knew.
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There was another secret.
One even he had been hiding.
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