Three Years Forgotten, Why Go Crazy When I Say Goodbye? novel Chapter 42

"What did you just say?"

"I said I know the truth about Toby," Willow Horgan repeated, holding his gaze steadily. "He's your child with Vivienne. He's not some random kid you adopted."

It had taken every ounce of her courage to lay it out like that. While she hoped to use the secret as leverage against Julian Sinclair, she knew the confession offered her little protection—it was like bearing her neck to a blade.

A heavy silence settled over the room. Willow braced herself for his reaction.

Before walking in, she had imagined every possible response. Shock? Guilt? Furious, defensive rage? It was a massive, scandalous secret, after all. Surely, he'd react somehow.

But as she met Julian's eyes, she found absolutely nothing. Just a cold, bottomless apathy.

It shouldn't be like this.

Julian stared at her indifferently, then let out a low, mocking scoff. "So, is this what you've been throwing a tantrum over all these days?"

There was no panic. No remorse. Instead, he looked incredibly smug, as if he had just seen right through a pathetic, desperate ploy, gazing down at her from his untouchable pedestal.

"A tantrum?"

"Running off to New York, laying a hand on Toby, throwing a fit in front of Nana," Julian listed off, his tone dripping with condescension. "All over this?"

It was about this—but it wasn't just about this.

Willow had zero desire to argue the nuances with him. "And what if it is?"

"What if it is?" Julian chuckled softly. "I actually thought you'd be grateful. After all, you're the one who benefits the most here, aren't you?"

The sheer audacity of his words left Willow reeling. He had decimated someone else's life, and yet he expected gratitude?

Willow pivoted. "Even if you aren't afraid, what about Vivienne? Won't she care?"

At the mention of Vivienne's name, his expression shifted. The icy detachment cracked, replaced by a very clear, undeniable flicker of concern.

Willow glared at him. "The Sinclair family's precious ward having a child with her own brother. How do you think that headline will play?"

Julian's face darkened into a stormy scowl.

Unintimidated, Willow pressed her advantage. "Even if you manage to kill the story, what about the whispers? Do you really think Vivienne could handle the social ruin? Even if she could, would you let her suffer through it?"

"Besides, wasn't that the whole reason you came to me in the first place? To cover this up? You don't want all that effort to go to waste, do you?"

Julian fell silent for a long moment. When he finally spoke, his features had smoothed over. "People will find out eventually."