Page 90

We’re sitting in the living room of her house, and as I watch the woman who gave birth to me take a sip of tea as if our conversation were trivial, I try to suppress my rage and disgust.
"You saw me searching for her long before their picture appeared in the newspapers."
"What is it about that girl that drives men crazy?"
"Don’t you dare blame her. I spoke to Sherie. She told me it was always my father pursuing Taylor. She never encouraged him."
I remember when Taylor told me my father had gone to the bar to offer her a job. She said it was just that one time. I need to talk to Jackie. She might have some answers.
"There’s a lot about your father that you don’t know, William."
"What are you talking about?"
She stays silent.
"Mother?"
"Everyone thinks he was just a womanizer, but know that there’s much more filth hidden under the rug."
"Like what, for example?"
"I’m not the one who will destroy your father’s image before your eyes. If you want the truth, find it yourself."
"Come down from the illusion you live in, Mother. There’s no image left to destroy. I despise him."
"I don’t like scandals in the family."
"Mother, this isn’t about a fucking scandal. It’s a crime. If he had anything to do with Taylor’s disappearance, I’ll make him pay."
"You wouldn’t dare go against your father publicly."
I stand up, certain that I need to leave before I say something I’ll regret. "You have no idea who I am, Mrs. Marshall. I don’t pity people. I divide them into those who deserve my respect and those I despise. Those who deserve my love and those who are irrelevant to me. Those I would die for and those I will destroy if they get in my way."
"He’s your father."
"No. If he hurt Taylor, he’s a criminal, and I’ll make sure he spends the rest of his life behind bars."
"I know he may have made mistakes, but you can’t be this ruthless, William."
I don’t answer. There’s no need. My decision is already made.
If he had anything to do with Taylor’s disappearance, he will pay.
* * *
She’s facing away from me and hasn’t noticed me yet.
This isn’t the first time I’ve watched her play for the children, but it’s the first time since we reunited that I feel unworthy of her.
Taylor has always been mine, and my stubbornness around claiming her left her unprotected. I should have put bodyguards on her from the start, preventing anyone from taking her away and stealing her life.
Because even though I don’t have solid proof yet, and many pieces of this sick game are still missing, I have no doubt—she was kidnapped.
On my way to the hospital earlier today, right after leaving my mother’s house, I called Odin.
He told me he hadn’t contacted me yet because he was still investigating, but he could already confirm that during the time Taylor was with my father on the cruise, there was never any romantic relationship between them.
His men spoke with the staff, and they all said Taylor treated him like a father.