"I found something. In my father's financial records." She's speaking fast, urgent. "Payments from six years ago. Large amounts, coming from accounts I couldn't trace. And notes in his handwriting about meetings. I took pictures of the papers but just now got the chance to start reading through them.
I shrug. “Yes and? You already told me this. This isn’t breaking news.”
"My father was broke, Maksim. Had driven the family into the ground with gambling and terrible investments. These payments started right before your kidnapping and continued for months after."
"You mentioned this at dinner. I told you—"
"That I was trying to shift blame. I know." Her hands clench into fists. "But I'm telling you the truth. My father took money from someone around the exact time you disappeared. That's not a coincidence."
It's not. But it also doesn't prove what she thinks it proves.
“Why would someone pay your father to kidnap me?”
She groans. “I don’t know. But it just feels like strange timing.”
“Someone paid your father for you to set me up?” I question.
She sighs. “I didn’t set you up.”
“Why did you tell me to be careful that night?”
She frowns. “What?”
I step closer to her. "That night. When Dmitri texted me about the meeting. You told me to be careful. Why?"
She blinks at me, confusion crossing her face. "I always told you to be careful when you had meetings. Especially late-night ones. It was dangerous—"
"But that night specifically. You said it with urgency. Like you knew something."
"I didn't know anything." Her voice rises slightly. "I just... I had a bad feeling. You were leaving in the middle of the night for an emergency meeting that made no sense. Of course I told you to be careful."
I search her face, looking for deception. But all I see is frustration and confusion.
"You didn't know about the meeting beforehand?" I press.
"How could I? Dmitri texted you while you were in my bed. I saw you check your phone, saw your expression change. That's when I knew something was wrong."
The timeline fits.
"You looked worried," I say.
"Because it felt wrong!" She throws her hands up. "A last-minute meeting in the middle of the night. Of course, it felt wrong! But you said you had to go, that Dmitri wouldn't call unless it was important."
“What's your endgame here?" I ask. “Are you throwing your father under the bus or someone else?”
"My endgame?" She laughs, sharp and bitter. "I don't have an endgame! I'm trying to survive! I'm trying to save my sister! I'm trying to make you see that we're both being manipulated!"
"Or you're hoping get me on your side. Maybe convince me to marry you instead of letting Roman have you." The words come out harsh. "Is that it? Trade one for another?"
Her eyes flash with rage. "I wouldn't marry you if my life depended on it."
"Ironic," I laugh without humor. "Because your life does depend on it.”She shoves at my chest. “I tried. I’m giving you information. I guess when you’re killed for real this time, I’ll know I tried.”
"Have you told Roman?" I ask abruptly. "About us. The party. The creek."
Her face goes pale. "Are you insane? No!"
"Why not?"
