Chapter 12
Lucinda finally agreed to speak.
She chose Rachel Stein’s office.
Andrew refused to meet privately.
Lucinda arrived dressed as though she were attending a foundation luncheon.
Pearls.
Perfect posture.
No apology.
She sat across from Andrew.
“I never intended Elena to die.”
Andrew believed that.
It did not help.
“What did you intend?”
“To stop her from making an irreversible mistake.”
“Leaving me for a few days?”
“Taking Alex away.”
“He was her son.”
“He was also yours.”
“That gave you what right?”
Lucinda looked offended by the question.
“I kept this family together after your father died. I raised half of you when your mothers were falling apart. I watched women marry into this family, take everything they could, and leave.”
“Elena was not those women.”
“I thought she was becoming one.”
Andrew stared at his aunt.
Lucinda continued.
“She wanted to take Alex. She wanted you to abandon everything your father built. She wanted Marcus removed. She wanted guards gone. She wanted everyone to rearrange their lives around her fear.”
Andrew responded quietly.
“She was afraid for a reason.”
Lucinda's expression tightened.
“You sound like her now.”
“I hope so.”
For the first time, Lucinda looked wounded.
Andrew almost felt sorry for her.
Almost.
She admitted putting a sedating medication into Elena’s drinks on several occasions.
She claimed the earlier incidents were meant to make Elena sleep instead of continuing late-night arguments.
On the final night, she wanted Elena delayed until Andrew reached the archive.
Marcus knew.
He kept staff away.
When Elena became visibly unsteady, Lucinda panicked.
Elena refused to sit down.
She tried to reach the rear exit.
Marcus followed.
Minutes later came the sound of her fall.
Andrew asked:
“Why didn't you tell the paramedics what you gave her?”
Lucinda looked down.
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of Elena dying?”
“Of what everyone would think.”
Andrew stared at her.
Even then.
Even with Elena unconscious on the floor.
Appearance first.
Truth second.
Lucinda wiped beneath one eye.
“I loved you like a son.”
Andrew nodded.
“I know.”
That was what made betrayal inside families so difficult.
Most people who caused lasting damage were not strangers who felt nothing.
May you like
Sometimes they loved you.
They simply loved their idea of family, control, reputation, or themselves more.
