Chapter 82
Vacation
Veronica’s POV
He was taking too long. The minute he mentioned Arie, I knew the conversation was going to be a long one. My nerves were stretched thin, and the walls of my room suddenly felt like they were closing in on me.
I couldn’t sit still. I couldn’t just wait.
I left the room immediately.
“Dad?” I called, unable to keep the panic out of my voice. “Dad?”
No answer.
A sinking feeling clawed at my stomach as I hurried down the hallway. My hands were shaking, my breaths coming too fast.
“Dad, where are you?”
The house was too quiet. Too still..
I reached his study and knocked once before pushing the door open. I couldn’t wait.
“Veronica?” He looked up from his desk, his brows furrowed. “Is there at problem?”
Relief rushed through me, but it was short–lived. My heart was still hammering in my chest. For a second, I thought that the bad guys had
gotten to him.
I stepped inside, shutting the door behind me. “Someone broke in,” I blurted. “They sent me a box with my hair, with a picture of me, inside. this house.”
My father stiffened, his expression darkening. “What?”
I nodded, my fingers clenching into fists. “They know about the trip, Dad. They know.” I swallowed hard. “You told me security was tight. That no one could get in.”
His jaw tightened as he stood up. “Are you sure this isn’t some kind of sick prank?”
I let out a hollow laugh. “A blood–stained baby onesie? A mutilated doll? A lock of my hair?” My voice cracked, hysteria creeping in. “You think that’s a prank?”
His expression hardened. He pressed a button on his desk phone. “Get security in here. Now.”
I exhaled sharply, pressing my palms against my temples. I needed to calm down, but I couldn’t. The walls felt like they were closing in again.
“You need to tell me everything,” my father said, his voice low but I could tell the worry behind them. I didn’t really want to be the one to put him through so much stress but I was terrified.
Too terrified to think of anything else.
I nodded and sank into the chair in front of his desk, my body trembling as I recounted every horrifying detail. The package. The note. The picture. The feeling of being watched.
By the time I finished, he looked furious.
“We’re leaving tonight,” he said decisively. “No more waiting. No more
delays.”
I swallowed. “But…”
“This isn’t up for discussion. Veronica,” he snapped, his usual patience. worn thin. “If someone is watching you this closely, we need to get ahead. of them. You’ll be safer away from here.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but he wasn’t wrong.
The thought of leaving at this moment made me uneasy. It felt like it was more dangerous out there than in here. But the thought of staying?
That was terrifying.
My phone buzzed, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. I grabbed it, my fingers fumbling.
Orthon.
I answered immediately. “Orthon?”
“Jesus, Vee! What the hell happened? I couldn’t hear you, and then you disappeared!” His voice was frantic. “Are you okay?”
I let out a shaky breath. “I…I’m with my dad. He says we’re leaving tonight.”
“Good,” he exhaled. “I’ll be there before you leave.”
I hesitated. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Like hell it’s not,” he snapped. “I’m not letting you go without seeing you
first
I chewed my lip, glancing at my father. He was already on another call, giving onders
“Fine,” I whispered. “But hurry.
As I hung up. I forced myself to take a deep breath.
In a few hours, I’d be somewhere else. Somewhere safe.
At least, that’s what I wanted to believe.
But deep down. I couldn’t shake the feeling that no matter where I went…
He would follow
Or maybe I was just being paranoid. I mean, I certainly hope so. I glanced my father whose expression was unreadable but I could tell he was thinking about something.
“Dad?” I called. He let out a sigh. “Are you okay?”
“I’m just… thinking.” he said.
“About what? We are leaving tonight, we will be safe,” I assured him.
“I don’t think I will be coming with you,” he said and my face dropped.
“What? Why?”
“You are my only daughter, Veronica. You deserve to go wherever you want to go at whatever time you wish. I am not going to let some lunatic drive you out of my city. While you are gone, I am going to stay and make sure he is found,” he told me.
a b c
I understood what he was saying but that didn’t make me less afraid for him. What if that person decided to take matters into their hands and attack him? I know he has guards but they are not always with him twenty. four hours.
Even at that, what if they had someone in the house working with them too? Because I don’t think it is possible for the guards to allow a strange face into the house so there is no way he could have come in to eavesdrop on my trip preparations with my father.
I wanted to bring it up to him but there were so many people here. I didn’t want whoever it was to start feeling self–conscious.
“Okay, father.” I said simply. I was going to discuss the rest with him later, when we were completely alone.
Orthon arrived shortly after and I ran into his arms the moment I saw him.
“Are you okay, baby?” He asked worriedly.
“Yes, yes, but father says we have to leave now. Will you come with me?” I asked, hopefully. I prayed he would say yes.
This was so sudden and I was afraid she had other things to take care of, probably. Was it selfish to ask him to drop everything and follow me? Maybe I should just…
“I’ll come with you,” his answer interrupted and my eyes snapped to him.
“Really?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Good, I’m going to call the pilot to get the jet ready. You two get everything you need or you can just purchase it when you get there,” my
father said
“Okay”
Orthon took my hand to lead me to my room. I glanced back to make sure no one was watching or following us, then I whispered to him.
“Do you think there is an inside man? I mean, there is no other way he could have known about the trip, right?” I whispered.
“Your father already knows who it is or has a suspect at least,” he told me. I didn’t want to believe it.
“How is that even possible?” I whispered. “He didn’t look like he knew anything”
“Trust me, he knows.”
