Chapter 2: The Brother Who Knew Too Much
I stared at the photograph until Beatrix gently took it from my hands.
"Ellie, I need you to breathe.""
I hadn't realized I'd stopped.
"Roland was there?""
"That's what the investigator believes.""
"With Camille and Alistair?""
"According to the preliminary report.""
I sat down again.
For years, I'd imagined Roland's betrayal as something simple.
He'd fallen in love with my best friend. He'd chosen her. He'd left me.
It was cruel, but understandable.
This was different.
If he'd known Camille was carrying his brother's child, then what exactly had he been celebrating?
Beatrix opened her laptop.
"Let's establish what we actually know.""
She turned the screen toward me.
A timeline appeared.
- Six months before our divorce: Camille begins frequent visits to the Mercer family property. - Four months before our divorce: Alistair makes several unexplained trips to the city. - Three months before our divorce: I discover Camille and Roland together.
- Two months before our divorce: Roland transfers ownership of a commercial property. - One month before our divorce: Camille and Roland announce their engagement. - Seven months ago: Camille and Alistair photographed outside a fertility clinic.
I frowned.
"Why was Alistair at a fertility clinic?""
"That's one of the questions we're investigating.""
I looked at the date.
"Seven months ago?""
"Yes.""
"Camille is approximately seven months pregnant.""
Beatrix nodded.
The implications settled between us.
"That means the clinic visit could have been related to the pregnancy.""
"Possibly.""
"Or the paternity.""
"Possibly.""
I stood.
"Then I want to speak to Alistair.""
"Not yet.""
"Beatrix—"
"No. We don't know what he knows, what Roland knows, or what either of them might do with information you reveal. Let me investigate first.""
I hated that she was right.
On the drive home, I passed the old Mercer family house.
The curtains were open.
A familiar black SUV sat in the driveway.
Alistair's.
I slowed without meaning to.
He had always been different from Roland.
Where Roland was loud and confident, Alistair was quiet. Where Roland enjoyed being admired, Alistair seemed uncomfortable with attention.
At our wedding, he'd given a speech that made everyone laugh.
"Roland has finally found someone patient enough to put up with him.""
Everyone had laughed.
Even Roland.
I remembered Alistair finding me afterward.
"Don't take him too seriously," he'd said.
"He is my husband.""
Alistair had smiled.
"That's what worries me.""
At the time, I thought it was a joke.
Now I wasn't sure.
My phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
"Eleanor?""
I recognized the voice immediately.
"Alistair.""
There was a pause.
"Can we talk?""
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.
"About what?""
"Camille.""
I stared through the windshield.
"That's an interesting name to hear from you.""
"I know.""
"Do you?""
Another pause.
"Please. I need to explain something.""
I almost laughed.
"Seven months too late.""
"I know about the test.""
My blood went cold.
"What?""
"I know you had a DNA test done.""
I glanced at the folder on the passenger seat.
"Who told you?""
"That doesn't matter.""
"It matters to me.""
"Eleanor, listen. There are things you don't understand.""
I pulled into a parking space.
"Then explain.""
He exhaled.
"Not over the phone.""
"Why?""
"Because Roland is listening.""
I froze.
"What did you just say?""
A muffled sound came from his end.
Then a door slammed.
Alistair lowered his voice.
"Don't go to the baby shower.""
"Why?""
"Because Roland has a plan.""
The call ended.
I stared at my phone.
Then it rang again.
This time, the caller ID showed Camille Bennett.
I considered ignoring it.
But curiosity won.
"Hello?""
"Ellie!""
Her voice was bright and sugary.
The same voice she'd used when she'd brought me soup after fertility appointments.
"I was hoping you'd answer.""
"What do you want, Camille?""
She laughed.
"You're still so direct.""
I looked at the invitation on the passenger seat.
"You invited me.""
"Of course I did. I wouldn't want you to feel excluded.""
"How thoughtful.""
"Listen, I know things between us have been complicated.""
"Complicated?""
"Well, you know. Roland and I never wanted to hurt you.""
I looked at the rain streaking down the windshield.
"Then you should have stopped.""
Silence.
Then she sighed.
"Eleanor, you're going to have to accept that Roland and I are happy.""
"I'm not asking you to be unhappy.""
"Good. Because I have a wonderful life now.""
"Congratulations.""
"And the baby is healthy. Roland is over the moon.""
I closed my eyes.
"Is he?""
"Absolutely. He's already chosen the nursery furniture.""
"That's lovely.""
Camille lowered her voice.
"I thought seeing the baby might help you move on.""
I almost admired her confidence.
She was inviting me to celebrate a pregnancy she knew could expose her entire marriage.
"Tell me something, Camille.""
"Of course.""
"Why did you write that message on my invitation?""
She laughed nervously.
"Oh, that? It was just a little joke.""
"Was it?""
"Don't be so sensitive, Ellie.""
I let the silence stretch.
Then she spoke again.
"I hope you come. Roland's family will be there. It would be nice if everyone could finally put the past behind them.""
"Everyone?""
"Yes.""
"Even Alistair?""
There was a sudden silence.
A very long one.
"Why would you mention Alistair?""
"No reason.""
"Eleanor, has he contacted you?""
I watched a raindrop slide down the glass.
"Why would that matter?""
"Because he's been behaving strangely.""
I smiled faintly.
"Perhaps you should ask him.""
I ended the call.
Five minutes later, a message arrived.
It was from Alistair.
Please meet me tomorrow. I have proof Roland knew about the baby before your divorce.
I read it three times.
Then another message appeared.
And Eleanor, there's something else. The reason Roland married Camille wasn't what you think.
I stared at the screen.
My former husband had left me for my best friend.
At least, that's what everyone believed.
May you like
But if Alistair was telling the truth, there was another reason.
And whatever it was, it had begun long before I found them together in my living room.
