My blood turned to ice.
Harper had been with my grandmother the whole time. She was kind, timid—how could she push a pregnant woman in front of witnesses?
Why didn't I think of that then?
"Enough!" I cut off Genevie's excuses, walking toward her step by step. "One question."
Genevie backed up, fear flickering in her eyes.
I stopped in front of her, looked down at that delicate face. Once, I'd thought it the most beautiful I'd ever seen. Now it just looked grotesque.
"That night on the stairs." My voice was low, dangerous. "You threw yourself down, didn't you?"
Genevie's pupils dilated violently.
"I... no... Harper pushed me..."
"Liar."
I leaned in close, almost touching her face. I saw the terror in her eyes, the cold sweat on her forehead, her uncontrollable trembling.
"I've already had people pull every security camera from that night," I lied smoothly. "Stairwell, hallway, ballroom... every corner. Think I won't find the truth?"
Genevie's face went chalk white.
"No... you can't..."
"Last chance." I stared into her eyes. "Tell me the truth, maybe I'll consider letting you go. But if I have to see it on camera—"
Silence.
Long silence.
Tears ran down Genevie's perfect face. Her shoulders shook. Finally, she collapsed on the floor with a desolate laugh.
"Yes." Her voice was hoarse, broken. "I threw myself down."
My fists clenched. Nails dug intomy palms.
"Why?"
"Why?" Genevie looked up, tears streaming, face twisted into a grotesque smile. "Because I love you too much, Kirill. I love you to the point of madness! I couldn't watch that woman take the place beside you. What right did she have? What qualified her to stand next to you?"
"So you framed her?" My voice dropped to something lethal.
"I just wanted her gone!" Genevie screamed. "I thought if she left, you'd come back to me. I did it because I love you!"
This was why I'd hurt Harper.
Fucking pathetic.
"Lock her up." I turned to the guards, voice colder than I'd expected. "Don't let her out until I find Harper."
"You can't do this to me!" Genevie thrashed. "Kirill! You'll regret this! I'm the one who loves you! That woman will never come back! She hates you! She hates you!"
I didn't turn around.
The guards dragged the screaming Genevie from the study. The sound faded.
