Chapter 39: Runway Confession

The private airfield was lit by harsh white lamps and surrounded by rain.

Scarlett watched from the armored car as Alexander's men moved like shadows across the runway. A small jet waited near the hangar, engines warming. Evelyn stood beneath an umbrella, wrapped in a cashmere coat, arguing with Victor Hale.

Even from a distance, Scarlett could see Evelyn's panic.

Alexander opened the car door. 'Stay here.'

This time, Scarlett obeyed for almost a full minute.

Then Evelyn saw the convoy and ran.

Not toward the jet. Toward the hangar side entrance.

Scarlett's body moved before fear could stop her. She pushed the car door wider and rolled down the ramp onto the wet pavement.

Rain hit her face like cold needles.

Alexander turned. 'Scarlett!'

But Evelyn had stopped running. She stared at Scarlett as if seeing a ghost.

'You,' Evelyn breathed.

Scarlett rolled forward, rain soaking her hair and blazer. 'Yes. Me. Still alive. You keep failing at that.'

Evelyn's face twisted. 'You should have stayed in that house.'

'Like my mother should have stayed quiet?'

Victor Hale vanished into the hangar as Moretti men chased him. Alexander moved toward Scarlett, gun drawn but lowered.

Evelyn laughed suddenly, a broken, ugly sound. 'Your mother thought love made her noble. She looked at me like I was dirt. She was going to take everything.'

Scarlett's voice shook. 'So you pushed her.'

Evelyn's eyes shone with hatred. 'She slipped.'

'Clara saw you.'

For one second, Evelyn's mask disappeared.

Then she screamed, 'Richard was there! He let it happen! He chose me after she died!'

The confession echoed across the rain-soaked runway.

Grace's hidden recorder captured every word from the car.

Police lights appeared at the gate.

Evelyn looked around wildly. Her escape was gone.

She pointed at Scarlett. 'You think Moretti loves you? Men like him love power. When you become inconvenient, he will watch you fall too.'

Scarlett looked at Alexander. He stood in the rain, fury and fear carved across his face.

Then she looked back at Evelyn.

'No,' Scarlett said. 'That was Father's weakness. Not love.'

Evelyn lunged.

Alexander reached Scarlett first.

Police tackled Evelyn to the ground as she screamed Isabella's name like a curse.