The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 162

Chapter 162

“How much do you need?” asked her.

She stiffened a moment, and then shook her head. “Oh, no. This isn’t about money.”

Again, I was surprised. “It isn’t?”

“No, I…”

She took a moment to collect herself. I waited patiently, unsure what else the favor could be. I couldn’t fathom anything else.

“I was thinking about our parents‘ crash. More and more, I’m remembering.”

To my understanding, Hannah had been very small then. Vanessa had told me a little about the accident that had claimed her parents, but I didn’t know everything. I remembered that it was tragic and somewhat mysterious. Vanessa had said that her father was always a safe driver, so for him to lose control of the car like he had didn’t make sense to her.

“I’m asking for your help,” she said. She looked me in the eye, determination and fear shining in hers. “I think someone murdered my parents. And I think… it might have been someone in the family.”

My own food was immediately forgotten. “Why do you think that?”

“I remember talking, between Grandpa and Aunt Adelaide. I was little then. I don’t remember exactly what they said, but… I remember thinking it was strange. I was so sad. I already missed my mom and dad, but they… seemed happy. Aunt Adelaide was laughing.”

Lowering her head, her frown deepened. “I must have forgotten it, but I’ve been remembering it lately. I don’t think I’m making it up. I’m sure it happened. I just… I get a really bad feeling. I can’t go to Grandpa about this. And since he knows everyone, I don’t know who to trust. Or who would believe me.”

“I believe you,” I said, and I did. Not just because I didn’t trust Victor, but also because I had always known Hannah to be earnest. Kind. Even right now, telling me all this was taking a clear physical toll. She was out of breath, her face a little red. She looked tired.

“Do you think your grandfather was responsible?” I didn’t know Adelaide, having only met her a couple of times over the years, but Victor I knew well and fully didn’t trust.

“I don’t know,” she said. “Grandpa is hard to love. But would he really want to hurt his own child?”

Victor was an opportunist, but a killer? Hannah was right to doubt.

“I don’t know what to think,” Hannah said. She seemed so uncertain, so scared. Her hands were clenched fists on the table top. Reaching out, I placed my hand over hers, hoping to provide her comfort.

“We’ll solve this, Hannah. Together,” I told her. “I have lots of contacts. I can start looking into things.”

At once, Hannah sighed in relief. “Thank you, Vanessa.”

“Of course,” I replied. “We are family.” It hurt my heart to say that, knowing it wasn’t entirely true. I was pretending, and whether or not Hannah knew the truth, we never talked about it.

She smiled a little now, which softened some of my own anxiety.

As I pulled back, we both returned to our lunch.

With the matter of the favor sorted, I tried to switch to a lighter topic. “How are things at home? How is Jessica?”

Apparently, this was the wrong topic, because Hannah froze.

“Is Jessica okay?” I asked.

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