36. Ginevra

CHAPTER 36

Ginevra

I understand perfectly. Blake will always choose his family over me, and that’s okay, right? His love and devotion to his family is part of what makes him a good person, despite all of his flaws and lack of moral compass in all other aspects of life.

But I’ve come to realize that I don’t want to be second, or third, tier down on his priority list. If I’m going to be in a relationship—even a fake one—I need to be number one. I won’t settle for less. I don’t deserve less than that.

Blake will never love me and that’s also okay. He’s done enough for me, more than I ever thought possible, so it’s time for me to repay him however I can. To make everything even between us and end this charade. If I thought there was a chance Blake would fall for me in the next eleven months, I might hold out hope, but I see the light now. It’s time to move on.

It’s been two weeks since the disastrous confrontation in Oliver's office. In that time, I’ve been planning, setting things in motion that all lead me up to today.

Sitting at my vanity, I study the two objects in front of me. One’s a small vial of a substance called syrup of ipecac, that when added to a person’s drink will induce vomiting. It’s fast-acting, but short-lived. Harmless, really. This little potion I got from Ravenna, after swearing her to secrecy. I could have asked one of my sisters, but I have a hard time letting them see my darker side, and I know Ravenna can keep a secret better than anyone. She hid her identity from her husband for weeks when she swapped places at the altar with her twin.

The other object is a mini flash drive. This I ordered online.

I have a confession to make… Ever since Lexa mentioned that Yve keeps the dirt she has on Blake close to her, I suspected it was on her charm bracelet. It’s too blatantly obvious. Hiding in plain sight. No one would think Yve might put something that important so easily accessible. But she did, and I know her secret.

Guilt coils around my throat. Could I have stolen the bracelet and set Blake free before our wedding? Yes. I probably should have, too.

But hope stopped me. Hope is a dangerous thing at times. Especially when you’re in love, especially when that love is unrequited.

Today I’m going to right that wrong.

My phone chimes with a new text.

Lexa

The meeting’s set for noon at the location you wanted. Good luck.

Ginevra

Thank you for doing this.

Lexa

Anything to help. Devil emoji

I finish my hair and makeup, then pack the rest of my suitcases. After I’m done with today’s business, I have a flight to Milan, Italy, where I’ll be staying with my cousin Elena until I can get my life sorted out.

When eleven rolls around, I take everything down to my car in the garage. Once I’m ready to go, I leave a goodbye note for Kyla in the kitchen, and one for Fleur in the foyer. They’ve both been so nice to me while I’ve lived here, and I wanted to thank them, just not in person because I can’t risk either of them notifying Blake of my intentions.

The restaurant where I’m meeting Yve is almost an hour away with traffic. I arrive right on time, immediately spotting her security detail inside. As soon as she sees me, she frowns.

“What are you doing here? Where’s Lexa?” she demands.

“She’ll be here soon,” I reassure her. Lexa won’t, in fact, be here at all, but Yve doesn’t need to know that yet. “Let’s sit down.”

“I don’t want to sit down. I want my daughter.”

“If you’re on good behavior, I’ll notify her to come in. Sit. Down.”

She purses her lips, but settles back into her seat. She’s already ordered a coffee, so I do the same. While the server partially blocks the view of us from Yve’s bodyguard, I quickly spill the vial’s contents into the cup. It’s been a while since I’ve stolen anything, and I’ve never used sleight of hand to poison someone before. I guess there’s a first time for everything, and this is for a good cause.

I mean, none of this could happen to a nicer person, right? The strangest part is, I’m not nervous at all. I thought I’d be an emotional live wire, but a strange, peaceful calm has settled over me since this morning.

“So, where has Lexa been hiding all this time?” Yve starts in. “You must know, since you two are so very close all of a sudden.”

“Lexa will have to fill you in on what she’s been up to. It’s really not my place to say anything.”

“Then stop wasting my time and call her,” she snaps. Seeming to realize her mistake, she takes a sip from her cup as she calms down. “I will be perfectly courteous. Please tell my daughter to come inside.”

I hold her gaze for several seconds. “Okay.”

Retrieving my phone from inside my purse, I send Lexa a text, but it’s not what Yve thinks.

Ginevra

Here. It’s going well.

Lexa

Good.

I glance up at Yve. “She’ll be here in fifteen minutes.”

Yve sighs, taking another sip of her coffee, and I do the same.

“When are you going to give Blake his inheritance?” I’m curious, and we don’t have anything else to talk about to pass the time.

She eyes me. “I told him he has to be married for one year before he can have it.”

“You really thought that would be impossible for him, didn’t you?” I watch her take another sip, and resist the urge to tap my foot under the table. I thought this stuff was supposed to be fast-acting. How much longer is it going to take?

“Of course I did, otherwise I wouldn’t have set marriage as the obstacle.” Yve huffs. “Then you came along and ruined everything. That ogre worships the ground you walk on, so there’s no hope of you two getting a divorce anytime soon.”

Her comment catches me by surprise. Does he worship the ground I walk on? I don’t see it. But apparently we successfully fooled everyone around us into thinking we’re the perfect couple.

That thought makes me sad.

“Then why don’t you give him his inheritance now and be done with it?” I urge.

“I don’t know… I’m not ready to admit I may have lost this round. But—” Her eyes widen and she covers her mouth. “Excuse me.”

Showtime . Yve launches herself toward the bathroom, her bodyguard sprints after her until she starts vomiting, then he rushes out of the women’s room to stand watch at the door.

Arranging my features to reflect concern, I hurry in after her but her guard stops me.

“You can’t go in.”

“She needs my help. Who’s going to hold back her hair while she throws up? You?”

He cringes, his pallor tinged green. “Go in.”

I slip past him, finding Yve in one of the stalls. It’s surreal seeing such a horrible woman, who seems untouchable most of the time, on her knees in a public bathroom.

Coming to her side, I deftly remove her charm bracelet, while saying, “Oh my god, are you all right?”

“Do I look all right, you imbecile?” She vomits again, and I quickly replace the flash drive on her chain with the empty replica.

“Here let me get your hair out of your face.” As I fuss with her hair, she tries to wave me off, until she’s sick again. With all of these distractions working in my favor, I fasten the bracelet back in place. She never notices a thing.

“Get away from me!” She shrieks, calling for her bodyguard, who is not keen on entering the restroom.

Backing away, I pocket the mini flash drive. “I hope you feel better soon.”

I give the guard an apologetic glance and point to the door. “She’s calling for you. Good luck.” He reluctantly ducks inside.

At the table, I grab my purse and leave. Mission accomplished.

Soon this flash drive will be in Blake’s hands, he’ll be free to do whatever he wants with Yve, as she’ll no longer have any power over him. He can pressure her, or even torture her, into telling him where she hid his mother’s things. He can do whatever he wants. Yve’s reign of terror is over.