Page 45 of The Ruthless Highlander's Hellion
Leo blinked, taken aback. “What foolishness is this?” he growled.
“Aye, it's me yer long-lost sister,” Erica said, standing tall.
Alexandra watched as Leo's eyes widened.
“I had to flee because ye killed our parents when ye were but a lad. Drove yer blade into Da’s gut and let Mother bleed out beside him.”
“Ye’re mad,” Leo spat. “Ye’ve nay proof of such lies. Me sister died long ago.”
“Nay, I am alive. I was just a bairn when I escaped.” Erica said, her voice quieter now, but no less steady. “A guard—Ewan—he saw what ye did. He pulled me from the manor that night, and I was raised far from home as a maid’s daughter. I’ve lived in hidin’ ever since.”
Alexandra’s heart pounded. She looked at Erica, truly looked, and saw the resemblance now—the same arch of the brow, the same sharp cheekbones, though softened by kindness.
“Why did ye never tell me?” she whispered.
Erica glanced at her but didn’t answer. She turned her attention back to Leo.
“Ye used to sneak into the wine cellar and pour yer cup into the flower vase when Da made us drink to guests,” she said. “Ye hated the taste, but ye were too proud to say so.”
Leo stared, unmoving. A flicker passed through his eyes—recognition, maybe even doubt. “Only Da and I knew that,” he said, voice low.
“And me,” Erica replied. “I was always watchin’. Always listenin’. Ye never noticed me enough to ken I watched ye closely.”
Silence fell, thick and heavy. Alexandra’s breath felt trapped in her lungs. Leo looked like a man struck between disbelief and a haunting memory.
“But… ye died,” he said, almost questioning now.
“I lived,” she said coldly. “And I’ve waited years to see ye again. I prayed I’d never have to, but here we are.”
Alexandra looked at Nicholas, whose gaze stayed locked on Erica, as if seeing her for the first time. The guards held still on the walls, arrows aimed, but uncertain. Nothing about the moment called for war now—only truth.
Alexandra stood frozen, heart thudding, as Leo’s expression shifted from disbelief to something darker. His mouth moved, but no sound came at first, as if the truth struck too deep.
Then his jaw tightened, eyes burning as he looked Erica over with growing rage. “Ye should’ve come forward years ago,” he snarled, voice rough.
Erica stood her ground, chin high. “Aye? And let ye finish what ye started? Ye would have killed me same as our parents,” she snapped. “Ye’re a monster, Leo. I’d rather rot in silence than breathe under yer shadow.”
Leo’s laugh rang cold and cruel through the courtyard, sharp as a blade.
“All this time hidin’ like a rat, ye should’ve be at McLaren castle. I own ye. Sisters are for marryin’ off to make alliances and make our clan stronger. Ye have robbed me of that advantage all these years!" Leo shouted.
Erica didn’t flinch. Her voice was clear, hard as stone. “I’ll go with ye now, Leo. If ye leave Alexandra be—ye never speak her name again, never lay a hand on her.”
Alexandra’s breath caught, eyes wide. She reached out, hand trembling. “Erica—nay,” she whispered. “Ye cannae do this.”
But Erica turned, her face suddenly softer, eyes shining with regret. “I lied to ye, Alexandra,” she said quietly. “I should’ve told ye who I truly was… but I wanted to be someone else, someone nae tied to him.” Her voice cracked. “Forgive me.”
Leo chuckled again, the sound low and full of menace. “Oh, I agree,” he hissed, stepping forward. “Ye’ll come with me… and I’ll enjoy breakin’ ye down, piece by piece.” His eyes gleamed with a promise of cruelty that turned Alexandra’s stomach.
Erica didn’t look back at him—she kept her eyes on Alexandra. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “But this is the only way. Be safe… and take care of yer brother.”
Then she walked to Leo, each step steady despite the storm behind her eyes. Alexandra tried to speak, to move, but the words lodged in her throat. All she could do was watch as Erica disappeared beside the man who’d stolen everything from her.
She saw Leo give Nicholas one last smirk, full of mockery and victory, before turning with Erica at his side.
"But…"Alexandra said. “Nay, stop. This is?—”
But Nicholas grabbed her arm and pulled her back toward the gate. She looked back over her shoulder. She locked eyes with Erica. She saw tears streaming down her maid’s cheeks.
