Page 142 of Malicious Claim

Estela gave a small nod and turned to leave. At the door, she paused and flicked her gaze back to Leila. "Would you like something to eat?"

"No," Leila replied, then took a deep breath. "Just bring me what I requested."

Estela contemplated in her mind whether to insist but ultimately nodded and slipped out.

Immediately she left, Leila's mind wandered to the envelope Vincenzo's contact had given to her. It was in the wooden box she'd asked Estela to bring. Would Estela think to check what was inside? Had she made a mistake by asking her to retrieve it?

A sliver of doubt crept in, but she quickly reassured herself. "Now, why would she do something like that? She doesn't seem all that bold."

She exhaled, pulling her robe tighter around herself.

When Estela returned, she carried a neatly folded set of clothes and a small tray with Leila's requested items. She set them down on the bed and turned to leave, but this time, Leila stopped her.

"Stay with me."

Estela blinked. "Mrs.?"

"Sit," Leila said simply. "Keep me company."

Estela hesitated. "I don't think—"

"Isn't keeping me company part of taking care of me?"

Estela studied her for a moment, then, reluctantly, she lowered herself onto the chair near the bed.

Leila leaned back against the pillows. "Tell me about Makros."

Estela stiffened. "What would you like to know?"

"Anything. What's he like outside of this?" She gestured vaguely around the room.

Estela hesitated. "I don't see much of him. But..." she trailed off.

"But what? What aren't you telling me Estela?"

Estela bit her lip before saying, "He's different with you."

Leila frowned. "What do you mean? Different how?"

Estela's eyes flickered toward the closed door as if could see through it and watch out for any eavesdropper. Then shewhispered, "He's never kept anyone this long. His family's death made him incapable of keeping anyone. Honestly, I'm just as perplexed as the others—"

Leila's breath hitched. Makros had a family? The information shook her, her head spinning to reconcile what she'd just discovered.

A family.

Dead.

The man who'd held her captive, who was in control over her every move, had once had a family, had lost them to death just like her. Was there some sort of connection?

Her mind flashed back to what Stefanos had said. "He did it because of revenge."

Leila's surprise would have been apparent because Estela's face flushed, shame flashing before her eyes. "You didn't know," she growled. "I—I thought you did." She brushed her hair worriedly, backing off as if she had already talked too much. "Please, don't mention it to him. I only said it because I thought—"

Leila's gaze narrowed, the curiosity in her chest becoming something sharp. "Then tell me more." She straightened, tilting her head ever so slightly. "Or I'll tell him exactly what you let slip."

Estela's face turned white as she battled fear against uncertainty in her mind. She spoke in a barely audible voice, "His family was killed. But I don't know who did it. No one does. It happened in—"

Estela stopped herself from speaking too much again, but Leila doubled down on her interrogation. "It happened in? Stop sounding like a broken record, please. I promise not to tell Makros anything if you speak up, but I'll implicate you if you don't."

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