They Called Me Heartless So Reborn I Watched Them Self Destruct novel Chapter 166

Chapter 166: 166- Victor Toussaint (I)

Arabella:

“I’m innocent,” Victor whispered.

We were sitting across from each other at a small table in the garden. Lucien had offered us one of the royal drawing rooms so we could talk comfortably, but I had refused. After everything that had happened lately, sitting behind a closed door while discussing the Queen didn’t sound like a smart idea.

Someone could stand outside and listen without us knowing. Out here, I could see anyone coming toward us. At least, that was what I told myself.

I leaned forward and rested my arms on the table. “Then tell me what happened, Victor. All of it.”

He looked down at his hands.

“Victor. After our last meeting, I kept thinking about the way you behaved whenever I asked about Anika.” I lowered my voice even though there was no one close enough to hear us. “You looked like you wanted to tell me something, but you couldn’t. And then it crossed my mind that maybe the Queen had bound you with a royal command. Am I right?”

Victor slowly lifted his head. “Yes.” He said without hesitation.

So, I hadn’t imagined it.

I studied him carefully. He looked much better today. The last time I had seen him, his face had been pale and sweaty, and he had looked ready to fall apart right in front of me. Today, I could see some color in his cheeks. He looked well-slept… well-rested.

Victor rubbed his palms over his pants before speaking. “I don’t know how that command was removed. The Queen had been coming into my dreams for years. Sometimes she threatened me or poked me with a knife. Sometimes she just stood there and reminded me what would happen if I ever tried to tell anyone the truth.”

All of it bothered me more than I wanted to admit.

“But then one night, something happened.” He paused, his forehead creasing as he tried to remember. “She was in my room again… and suddenly, she was pulled away from me…” My fingers went still on the table, and my heartbeat seemed to stop.

Victor didn’t seem to notice it.

“… right through the window. I couldn’t see who was doing it. I just saw her being dragged away, and then I heard her scream.” He shook his head. “It sounds crazy when I say it out loud, but it felt like something was protecting me from her.”

I swallowed hard and sat back in my chair, trying my best to keep my face normal. “And the next morning?” I asked.

“That was when I knew something had changed.” His hand moved over his stomach. “That knot was gone. The fear was gone too. I kept waiting for it to come back, but it didn’t.”

He looked almost confused by his own freedom.

“I even tried talking to Anna, my mate, about the Queen. Usually, the moment I tried to say anything, something stopped me. My body would freeze up. Sometimes I couldn’t even get the words out.” His voice dropped. “But that morning, nothing happened.”

So, pushing Theodora out of Victor’s dream hadn’t only hurt her. I had broken whatever hold or spell she had over him.

I looked at Victor again. “Okay.” I pulled my chair a little closer to the table. “Then start from the beginning.” I placed my hand over his before he could retreat into himself again. “Tell me what really happened to Anika.”

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