Page 76 of Castle

“If they succeed, you’ll be dead and I’ll be in jail, convicted of your murder.”

Time was running out.

I had to read the journal to find out the truth before things went down. I skipped to the next set of marked pages.

Aster Montgomery’s Journal

12th September

I am not usually a suspicious person. I don’t doubt anyone unless I have a reason to. Sometimes I wonder if Dad is secretly still doing those devil-worshipping rituals and I’ve been wrong with my assumptions so far. I am happyto be wrong about this.

But then Christopheris acting strange. He would come home late at night, sometimes he would be out for days for business.

I suspect him. My fatherisn’tthe type who would give upon what he startedand itis likely possible that he somehow influenced Chris into being part of the rituals.

I hope that’s not the case.

This time, I’ve been late to enter the diary because I am not in the right state of mind.Last night I was gone for a charity function and told Chris that I would return late at night, but luckily the eventgot wrapped up early andso I got home earlier than usual.

Iplanned to surprise Chris because he complained I wasn’t giving him enough time. With four kids, it was sometimes impossible to spend time with him. I bought him a set of cuff links because I knew how much he lovescollecting them.

When I climbed the stairs to our bedroom, I sawthe door was slightly open and the sounds of someone speaking in hushed whispersdrifted from the gap.

My heart was beating out of my chest. I stopped dead in my tracks and listened.

‘What if the kids see us together?’ The female voice asked.

‘They won’t. Castle, Devin, and Dayana are out for some friend’s party. They won’t be here until midnight. Theo is asleep and as for Aster, she won’t be home until mid-nightas well. It’s just you and me until then.’ That was Chris’s voice.

My Christopher.

There were sounds of kissing, followed by a moan. ‘Stop it.’ She giggled.

Lorna. The house help. Devin and Dayana’s biological mother.

‘Will our kids ever know?’ She asked him silently.

At that moment,I wonderedwhat they were talking about. I was tearful and I couldn’t believe my ears. I wanted this to be a nightmare.

‘They are better off not knowing.’ Chris had said. ‘With this baby on our way, wehave to act fast. You know we can’t let Aster find out. The kids adore her.’

‘But I’m their mother.’

‘Hush.’

‘I’m scared, Chris. Sometimes I think you love her more.’

‘No. Never. I’ve always loved you, Lorna. Aster was only a means for us to get all this wealth. You’re my real wife. Just a few more days and then it’s all ours.’

I should have known. I’m crying…NO…I’m sobbing while writing this. There are smudges on these pages, but I don’t care. I need to pour everything out.

Christopher Gates is a swindler, a fucking thief! Dad was always right, but my love blinded me from the truth. Chris had known Lorna before he knew me, and he’d been having two families secretly. He had children with two women.

How hadn’t I noticed?

Devin and Dayana had Chris’s features. They had Lorna’s green eyes, so I hadn’t realized…I was a fool.

Nobody gets away fucking with a Montgomery.

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