Shredded Vows: The Billionaire’s Secret Heir novel Chapter 51

Jeffrey answered for her. "She came to me the other day to find out the truth about what happened to Xavier twenty years ago." He glanced at Logan, silently urging him to chime in.

"I wasn't at the back of the mountain." Logan caught on, adding his own thoughts. "I only heard about what happened that day, but honestly, I don't get it. Why would she do something like that?"

Jeffrey looked at Gideon, his tone calm and measured. "Gideon, Lydia is just a maid's daughter, yet you chose to befriend her. What does that tell you? It proves she has a good heart. She possesses qualities you value."

Gideon's face remained impassive, but a storm raged in his eyes.

He shot a look at Logan and Harrell, his voice low. "You two, get out. I need a word with Jeffrey. Alone."

They had all grown up together, the closest of friends from families with generational ties. Now, the tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife—and it was all over a woman.

Logan stood up, prompting Harrell to follow suit. Harrell felt a twinge of regret for derailing the conversation earlier; his joke had gone too far and ruined the mood.

Once the door clicked shut, only Jeffrey and Gideon remained in the lavish, vintage-style VIP room.

They clinked their glasses and both took a long swallow of liquor.

Rumors claimed their marriage was a sham, that Gideon despised Lydia and believed she was a murderer.

When Gideon had mentioned making her suffer earlier, it only confirmed Jeffrey's suspicions. The rumors were true.

He didn't love her, and he didn't trust her.

Gideon swirled his glass with a deceptive casualness. The amber liquid sloshed against the crystal, as turbulent and unreadable as his current mood.

"When did you fall for my wife? Was it by the pond, too?"

Reading the shift in Gideon's expression, Jeffrey knew he hadn't forgotten that day either.

"How could a girl like that push your brother off a cliff?" Jeffrey asked softly. "She's so gentle she wouldn't even hurt a fly."

Gideon's jaw clenched tight, his Adam's apple bobbing as he fought to suppress his surging emotions. "It didn't happen to your brother, so you can afford to be rational." He looked up, a flicker of raw agony in his eyes. "But when I got there, every single person pointed the finger at her."

At that age, in that kind of chaos, how could anyone be rational?

"Not everyone," Jeffrey countered. "I told you it wasn't her, but you refused to listen."

"That's because you were in love with her!" Gideon downed the rest of his drink in one shot. The harsh liquor burned down his throat like swallowing glass.

He slammed the cup down onto the table, his gaze locking onto his friend. "Admit it, Jeffrey. You love her!"