Page 114 of Bitter Secrets

“He gave strict instructions. Their letters weren’t to be sent unless there were signs of a rift between you and your sisters. When I saw you three at the funeral, I did as he asked and drove out of state to send them.”

She dropped her face into her hand. “Thea…”

“It worked,” Thea croaked. “Ariana’s family came to Tuxedo Park to spend time with you, and I heard you speaking to Colette on the phone. He achieved in death what he couldn’t in life, and that was good. I thought all was well and there would be no need for me to give you that package until you showed up on your wedding day.”

Thea’s voice was laced with latent panic.

“I greeted his mother when she arrived.”

She sensed Thea’s hesitation through the phone and pressed, “And?”

“She’s an odd woman.”

Her brow furrowed. Thea never had a bad thing to say about anyone, and that included Roth, who she didn’t blame for her current state. Thea’s opinion of Kaia was unusually blunt for her housekeeper.

“What do you mean?”

“I only spent a couple of minutes with her, but there was something about her that I…” Thea hesitated. “I sensed there was more going on, that you might be in trouble. I thought it was worth the risk to follow through on one of the last tasks Maximus appointed to me.”

She tensed. “Oneof the last? There’s more?”

“Just one.”

Her heart beat double time. “What?”

“I’m supposed to watch over you,” Thea rasped. “But he didn’t need to order me to do that.”

She swallowed hard.

“You’re a good girl. You got dealt a bad hand and that’s not your fault.”

She blinked rapidly as her eyes filled with tears.

“Don’t you worry about me. I’m a tough old bird.”

“Thea,” she said raggedly.

“I’m not going anywhere, miss. Someone needs to keep an eye on you.”

Thea’s steadfast loyalty made her want to drop to her knees. She assumed she would have to say goodbye to another person Roth alienated. Thea saw Roth at his worst, yet she refused to be run off or intimidated. Jasmine was in awe. Neither of them was a match for Roth, but knowing she had Thea in her corner made her feel as if she had an army behind her.

“I love you,” she whispered.

“And I love you. I always have.”

She sniffled. “D-do you need anything? A nurse to help you get back on your feet? Money?”

“No, I’m fine, dear. Rest is all I need. Don’t worry about me. You have enough on your plate.”

Thea’s voice was becoming fainter by the minute. Clearly, the talk was taking its toll. There were so many things she wanted to ask, but there was one that was paramount to all the others.

“Did he leave me just one letter?”

“Yes.”

“Nothing else?” she pressed.

“No, miss.”

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