Page 120 of Conrad

She sank onto a counter stool.

Then,wait—“Why didn’t Dad trust Edward?”

“Oh, that. It’s because Edward came to him with this crazy AI program he’d developed at MIT and wanted Quantex to buy it. He thought your father would risk his company just because of Tia.” She sighed. “I’m just glad Tia found out before it was too late.”

“Mom—Tia was weeks away from marrying Edward when he was murdered.”

“No, I wasn’t.”

Penelope turned, a chill raking through her as Tia came into the room. She wore leggings and an oversized sweatshirt, her dark hair pulled back in a headband. “What?”

“First, this house is big, but it’s old. Vents, people. My bedroom is right above this. And second, Mom is right. Edward and I broke up about a week before he died.”

She came into the room, grabbed a mug, poured herself coffee. “It didn’t mean I didn’t love him. But . . . he was in love with someone else, and I couldn’t deny it anymore.”

“Sarah Livingston.” Penelope didn’t know why she said it. The name just slid out.

And Tia laughed. “Sarah? No. Hardly. They were friends, but Sarah had just started dating Edward’s best friend, Franco.”

“Franco? As inmyFranco?”

Tia’s brow went up.

“You know what I mean.”

Tia shrugged. “Yes. Franco Bernatelli, Vincent’s youngest son and Edward’s childhood bestie.”

“I was Edward’s childhood bestie.”

“You were Edward’s true love.”

The words hit her, rocked her back. “What?”

Tia sighed, glanced at her mother, back at Penelope. “I broke up with Edward because he was marrying me only because he couldn’t have you.”

“What do you mean? He didn’t even ask!”

“You were four years younger than him, and . . . I don’t know why he didn’t ask. But after we were engaged, I watched you two at every family event, and . . . Edward never looked at me the way he looked at you. I finally confronted him and he admitted that he loved you. And me, of course. But I knew I couldn’t be his second choice.” She touched Penelope’s arm. “I’m sorry I got in the way. He got back from MIT and there was something about him—more confidence, I guess. And you were away at college, and I asked him out, not even thinking. He said yes, and then things just started happening. He was really involved in his research, too, on his AI program. Said it would transform the way we drove cars. He even had applications for defense technology. I think he even got an RFP from a defense contractor after Dad turned him down for Quantex. He was so smart.” Her eyes filled. “I did love him, Pen. But not like you did. I wish I’d realized how he felt about you sooner.”

Penelope’s eyes burned, filled. “Me too. But . . .” She pulled Tia into an embrace, held on.

“Oh boy, this man really did a number on my girls,” said her mother, her arms around both of them.

“He was a good man, Mom,” said Tia. “Not everyone is out to get us.”

A soft shrug from Sophia as she eased her embrace. “I just can’t bear the thought of you two getting hurt.” She kissed Tia, then Penelope. Held their hands. “‘One must seek the truth within—not without.’” Her mouth made a kind smile. “I suppose ‘If the fact will not fit the theory—let the theory go.’ To quote my daughter’s favorite author.” She winked.

Penelope stared at her mother and heard the echo of the caller who’d delivered that quote pinging inside. “Mom?”

“You’ll figure this out, darling.” She let her hands go and headed for her bedroom.

Penelope gaped.

“What was that about?” Tia asked.

“Does Mom listen to my podcast?”

“Of course she does. Seriously. We all do.” Tia wiped her cheeks. “You deserve a happily ever after, Pep. With the right man.”

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