anwhile, inside the Bennett mansion, Rosiline sat on the edge of her armchair, her perfectly manicured nails tapping restlessly against the armrest.
No matter how many tis she tried to calm herself, her heart refused to settle.
Ever since the news broke that Collin’s sentence had been reduced and he was now a free man, a gnawing dread had taken root in her chest.
So many years had passed since that incident—years she spent carefully burying the past under layers of wealth, reputation, and control—and yet, even hearing his na was enough to send a shiver crawling down her spine.
"He shouldn’t have gotten out..." she muttered under her breath, pressing a trembling hand against her temple. "Not after what he did."
The thought of his face—of those eyes that once glared at her with venomous hatred—made her stomach twist.
She’d thought he would rot in prison forever. That she’d finally be free of him.
But now... now the past had clawed its way back to life.
And the worst part?
"What if he cos for Anna..." she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. Her fingers fidgeted in her lap, the diamonds on her ring glinting faintly in the soft light.
The very thought of her daughter—that innocent girl—finding out what really happened all those years ago made her blood run cold.
"No. No matter what, Anna must never learn the truth," she told herself, her voice trembling with forced conviction. "I won’t let him destroy her life like he destroyed mine."
Just then, the creak of the study door broke her spiraling thoughts.
Hugo walked in, loosening his tie, his usual air of tired confidence following him.
Rosiline straightened imdiately, schooling her expression into that calm, practiced smile she had mastered over the years.
"You’re ho early today," she greeted, rising gracefully from her seat. She crossed the room to take his briefcase, her tone warm—too warm.
"There wasn’t much left to do," Hugo said, his voice weary as he sank into the chair opposite hers. "The day was... manageable."
Rosiline nodded, placing his briefcase neatly aside, trying to keep her movents smooth despite the restless pounding of her heart.
But her montary relief shattered with his next words.
"Oh, by the way," Hugo said casually, flipping open a folder. "Did you withdraw money from my spare account?"
Rosiline froze.
For a split second, she forgot how to breathe. Her hand stilled mid-motion, the smile on her lips faltering before she forced it back into place.
"I... beg your pardon?" she asked, her tone light but her pulse thundering.
"The transaction last month," Hugo said, looking up now. His eyes were sharp, assessing. "It wasn’t who moved that amount. The bank report shows it under your na."
Rosiline swallowed hard, her throat dry. Her mind spun—searching for words, excuses—but all that ca flooding back were mories she’d tried to bury forever.
The day everything changed.
[Flashback]
The morning of Kathrine’s wedding had been chaos. The Bennett mansion was adorned with flowers and laughter, guests fluttering in and out. Everything was set to perfection.
Except Kathrine.
Rosiline had found her daughter pacing inside her room, veil tossed aside, her eyes wild with panic.
"Mom, please," Kathrine’s voice trembled as she clutched Rosiline’s hands. "I can’t do this. I can’t marry Daniel."
Rosiline blinked, stunned. "What nonsense is this, Kathrine? It’s your wedding day!"
"I know!" Kathrine’s breath ca fast, desperate. "But I don’t love him! He’s—he’s cold, ruthless. I’ll be miserable, Mom! Please, just this once, help ."
Rosiline stared at her daughter—the golden child, the one Hugo adored, the one who always got what she wanted—and for the first ti, sothing in her shifted.
She could have scolded her. She could have dragged her to the altar herself. But instead, she saw... an opportunity.
’Maybe this is how I finally get rid of her shadow,’ she thought.
"Do you realize what you’re asking?" Rosiline asked instead, her tone soft but sharp.
Kathrine nodded fervently, tears glistening in her eyes. "I’ll do whatever it takes. I just need to get away."
Rosiline’s lips curved faintly, hiding the flicker of satisfaction in her eyes.
"Fine," she said after a mont of silence. "But if I help you... you don’t co back. Ever."
Kathrine froze, her wide eyes reflecting a mix of relief and disbelief. "You an it?"
Rosiline gave a slow nod. "I’ll arrange the money. You disappear before the ceremony begins."
Kathrine’s smile was radiant, triumphant even. "Thank you, Mom," she whispered, hugging her tight.
Rosiline hugged her back, but her expression darkened over her daughter’s shoulder.
And that very night, Rosiline quietly transferred funds from Hugo’s spare account—the sa one she swore never to touch—and handed them over to Kathrine to ensure she was gone for good.
By the ti Hugo realized what happened, the wedding had collapsed, and Kathrine Bennett had vanished.
[Present]
"Rosiline?" Hugo’s voice snapped her back to the present. "Did you hear ?"
She blinked, struggling to regain her composure. "Ah—yes, yes, of course. I... I used it for a small charity event. You rember—the won’s fund I ntioned?"
Hugo frowned slightly, not entirely convinced but unwilling to press further. "Hmm. Just make sure to inform next ti."
"Of course," she said quickly, offering a practiced smile.
As soon as he turned away, the smile lted.
Her pulse thundered in her ears, sweat pricking at her temple.
If Hugo ever finds out where that money really went...’ she thought, pressing a trembling hand against her chest, feeling the violent rhythm of her heart beneath her palm.
Her breath hitched, the weight of that buried secret pressing down harder than ever.
"I need to be careful," she whispered under her breath, her voice barely audible in the vast, empty room.
Her mind replayed Kathrine’s last phone call—the sweet, rehearsed tone, the carefully chosen words. But beneath it all, Rosiline had heard what others might have missed.
Kathrine might have fled, but she was still her daughter—greedy for comfort, addicted to luxury.
And from her words, it was clear she wouldn’t stay away long.
"She won’t last without her lavish life," Rosiline muttered, her tone darkening. "The mont her money runs out, she’ll co crawling back." and just the thought of it made her fu.
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