Blood And Vows

A Fragile Alliance

The air inside the detention center was heavy with metal and silence.

Every footstep echoed down the concrete corridor as Anika followed the guard toward the visitation room.

Her heart pounded, though she tried to keep her face composed. She’d replayed Richard’s phone call over and over the entire night, his voice, cold and deliberate, confessing to the very thing she had accused Colby of.

And now here she was, standing on the edge of a truth that changed everything.

She wasn’t ready for this conversation but she couldn’t stay away anymore.

Colby sat at the table, wrists chained loosely in front of him. His once-proud posture was slumped, his expression calm but weary.

When he looked up and saw her through the glass, something flickered in his eyes, surprise, followed by something softer.

“Anika,” he said quietly, as the guard stepped back. “Didn’t think I’d ever see you here.”

She sat down across from him, hands clasped tightly in her lap. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I didn’t come here because I have developed a soft spot for you.”

He gave a faint, humorless smile. “Didn’t expect you to.”

For a moment, silence filled the space between them.

Then she leaned forward. Her voice was low but steady.

“I overheard your uncle, Colby. Richard.”

His brows drew together. “What?”

“He was on the phone,” she continued, her voice trembling despite her effort to stay composed. “He said he made sure the gun was found where it needed to be. That the police bought the fingerprints. He said your arrest was necessary.”

Colby’s eyes darkened, his hands curling into fists. “I knew it.”

Anika hesitated. “Liam was investigating something before he died. Something about Richard’s side deals. I think that’s why he was killed.”

Colby stared at her, processing every word. “He never told me. I knew he’d been distant, secretive lately, but…” He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Of course. He must’ve found something that threatened Richard’s plans.”

Anika’s throat tightened. “I don’t know what exactly. But I’ll find out.”

His gaze snapped to hers, wary but hopeful. “You’re going to help me?”

“Don’t misunderstand me,” she said quickly. “I’m not doing this for you.”

He tilted his head slightly. “Then why?”

“Because it’s the right thing to do,” she said firmly. “You don’t deserve to take the fall for something you didn’t do. That’s all.”

Colby gave a slow nod, his voice low. “Fair enough. But thank you, Anika. For at least believing in me now.”

She looked away, hiding the faint tremor in her lip. “Don’t thank me yet. We still need proof.”

He leaned closer, his tone urgent. “Start with Richard’s business records, offshore accounts, the subsidiary companies under O’Connell Holdings. He’s been diverting funds for years, I’m sure of it. And if Liam found something, it’ll be there.”

She nodded. “I’ll check Liam’s office at the estate. He used to keep his notes in a locked cabinet.”

Their eyes met for a long, tense moment, two people bound by tragedy, mistrust, and a shared goal.

Something unspoken passed between them, something fragile and reluctant but real.

When the guard announced that visiting time was over, Colby stood slowly.

“Anika,” he said softly before turning away, “be careful. Richard doesn’t make mistakes and he won’t hesitate to fix the ones he does.”

Later that night back at the Morell mansion, Anika found Ethan waiting in the study again, his expression anxious when she entered.

He stood. “You went to see him, didn’t you?”

She nodded. “I did. And you were right, Ethan. Colby’s innocent.”

He blinked. “Wait what?”

Anika took a shaky breath. “It’s Richard. I overheard him last night. He admitted to setting everything up. Framed Colby. Liam was onto him before he died.”

Ethan stared at her, disbelief melting into anger. “That snake.”

“I need your help,” Anika said quietly. “We can’t tell anyone yet, not Father, not the police. Not until we have proof.”

Ethan nodded immediately. “I’m with you. Whatever it takes.”

Anika managed a faint, grateful smile. “We’ll start with Liam’s office tomorrow. If he was investigating Richard, we’ll find traces of it there.”

Ethan studied her carefully. “And Colby?”

She hesitated. “He’ll stay behind bars for now. But once we have evidence, we’ll clear his name.”

Ethan smirked faintly. “You’re doing all this ‘out of humanity,’ right?”

Anika gave him a glare sharp enough to cut glass. “Don’t push it.”

He raised his hands in mock surrender but smiled anyway, the first hint of warmth their home had seen in days.

As Anika turned to leave, the weight of what lay ahead pressed down on her, the secrets, the danger, the possibility that she might be the next target.

But for the first time since Liam’s death, she felt something she hadn’t felt in weeks.

Purpose.