Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WHO WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO EXISTVictoria told us everything.
Or what she claimed was everything.
Years ago, Raven's father had discovered his grandfather's illegal empire.
He wanted to dismantle it.
But he needed someone he trusted.
James Ashford.
My father.
James was married.
Victoria was married.
And somehow, during those dangerous years, Raven's father had become emotionally attached to my mother.
I listened in silence.
“Are you saying Raven and I…”
Victoria stopped me.
“No.”
She looked at Raven.
“Your father was not Sarah's father.”
Raven exhaled.
“Then who?”
Victoria stared at me.
“Your uncle.”
Raven's face hardened.
“Marcus?”
“Yes.”
Marcus Cavalcante had been Raven's father's younger brother.
He had died in a boating accident eighteen years earlier.
Nobody had ever questioned it.
Except Victoria.
“Marcus had a daughter,” she said.
I shook my head.
“Me?”
She nodded.
Raven closed his eyes.
My entire life had been a lie.
I was not Raven's sister.
But I was family.
Which explained the old files.
The photograph.
My father's connection to the Cavalcantes.
And why someone had spent years trying to keep my identity hidden.
But then Victoria said the sentence that changed everything again.
“Marcus wasn't killed in an accident.”
Raven looked at her.
“Who killed him?”
She whispered,
“Your grandfather.”
Silence.
“Why?”
“Because Marcus planned to expose the entire organization.”
Raven stood.
“And my father?”
“He tried to stop him.”
“And James?”
“He helped.”
I looked at her.
“And my mother?”
Victoria lowered her gaze.
“Dead.”
“Why?”
“She knew too much.”
Raven's fist tightened.
“Who killed them?”
Victoria didn't answer.
She didn't need to.
Everyone understood.
That night, I couldn't sleep.
Raven found me on the balcony.
“You should be inside.”
“I needed air.”
He stood beside me.
“I don't know what to say.”
“Neither do I.”
He looked at Manhattan.
“I spent years believing my family had no secrets left.”
I laughed softly.
“Families are mostly secrets.”
He looked at me.
“I was wrong about you.”
“About what?”
“I thought you were simply brilliant.”
“And?”
“You were hiding an entire bloodline.”
I smiled.
“Apparently.”
He hesitated.
Then said,
“I've been jealous of Silas.”
I looked at him.
“That's an understatement.”
“I thought he wanted you.”
“He does.”
Raven's jaw tightened.
“Sarah.”
“But…”
I stepped closer.
“He isn't you.”
Raven's eyes met mine.
“What does that mean?”
“I don't know.”
He moved closer.
Neither of us spoke.
His hand touched my cheek.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“What?”
He listened.
May you like
Then whispered,
“Silas is missing.”
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