Page 96 of No More Secrets

Charlotte’s spine straightens. Her hands fold at her waist. “He raised you.”

Lily snorts her derision and looks over Charlotte’s shoulder. “Have you told her yet about Jean St.John?”

“I was just getting to that,” Olivia says.

Ice pours into Charlotte’s veins. But she doesn’t move, not even a glimmer of a reaction that shows how Jean’s name sends a bolt of fear into her. Benton’s widow remarried and moved to Texas ten years ago, but kept her house in Seaside Cove, which Charlotte only recently sold on her behalf less than a year ago. It was the least she could do after killing her husband.

She takes a breath, telling herself to keep it together. “What about Jean?”

“She’s trying to reopen Benton’s case.”

Charlotte weaves slightly. She imagines her face has become as pale as the walls behind her. “Why would she do that?”

Lily shrugs. “Some new evidence has come to light.”

“You have nothing on me. You can’t prove anything.”

“Dad didn’t get rid of the knife,” Olivia says. “He gifted the set to me with the house. He’d stored them in the attic.”

Charlotte stares at Olivia with stunned contempt. “Why, that worthless piece of shit. Your father was a dumbass.”

Olivia tilts her head, looking sidelong at her mother. “Finally, she shows her true colors.”

“You’ve always known who and what I am, Olivia. Stop being naive.”

“Tell her about your dream,” Lily says.

“What dream? That ludicrous nightmare you had as a child?” Charlotte sounds horrible even to her own ears. But Olivia is putting her in a poor position, backing her into a corner with claws out and teeth bared.

Olivia folds her arms. “I still have it. And according to my therapist—who’s great, by the way. You should consider seeing one for yourself.”

“A lot of good that would do.” Lily rolls her eyes.

“My therapist is convinced it’s a repressed memory. I was there, Mom. I saw you murder Benton.”

Her posture stiffens in appalled disbelief. “You were a child. Nobody will believe anything you say.”

“I guess we’ll have to wait and find out.”

“You’d betray your own mother? How dare you. After everything I’ve given you.”

“She was trying to buy our silence, that’s what all the money was for.” Lily folds her arms, leans her weight on one hip. “Shame on you, Mother dear.”

“I think I’ve heard enough.” Olivia jerks her head at Lily, motioning for the door. She leans in and kisses Charlotte’s cheek. “Goodbye, Mom.”

Charlotte reaches for her, but Olivia’s arm slips through her fingers. “You can’t go. You can’t tell me this and leave. Who do you think you are?”

“Mom.”

Lily draws her attention. Her daughter’s hazel eyes glisten. Benton’s eyes. They mock her. Charlotte’s skin tingles all over, and she starts to sweat. What is wrong with her? She doesn’t sweat. She’s better than them. They have nothing on her. They can’t prosecute her. They can’t prove anything.

Lily gives her an envelope of cash. “Five thousand. Same amount you gave me.”

Charlotte almost laughs. “You expect me to run?”

Lily lifts her brows. “Isn’t that what you’re doing already?”

“I walked away from you. There’s a difference.”