Chapter 347
Stephan hesitated. He wanted to shield his sister from the truth, afraid the details would be too much for her to handle. But Imogen knew him too well.
“Don’t even think about lying to me!” she snapped. “Tell me everything. I can handle it.”
Her hands gripped the edge of the blanket tightly, her sightless eyes filled with an unyielding resolve and searing hatred. “Once you find the culprit, I’ll kill them myself!”
Stephan paused, his expression darkening. After a moment, he said slowly, “The killer hasn’t been identified yet. The trail’s gone cold. But the lead we have points to a faction operating in Khogend.”
He stopped, gauging her reaction before continuing, “There was something on that ship- something incredibly valuable. It was worth more than just money. People would kill for it.”
Imogen froze.
‘Archie wasn’t just your fiancé,” Stephan said, his voice heavier now. “Before that, he was my man. That shipment… It was a high–stakes operation. I needed someone I could trust implicitly, and Archie volunteered.”
He looked away as if reliving that decision. “He even joked about it being his last mission as my subordinate, saying he’d be retiring from my service to become my brother–in–law.”
Stephan’s fists clenched at his sides. “I agreed. I also sent decoy ships to confuse any potential threats. But somehow, the intel got leaked. They went straight for the real ship, slaughtered everyone, and took the cargo. Archie didn’t stand a chance.”
His voice dropped to a chilling whisper. “The more I dig, the more the trail points back to Khogend. And… it might have ties to the Fuller family.”
Stephan didn’t elaborate further, keeping some details to himself.
“Khogend…” Imogen murmured, her brows furrowing together. “You’ve been spending so much time there lately. It’s all connected, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” he admitted.
Imogen’s shoulders sagged slightly at that, her grief’s weight evident. But instead of breaking down, she turned to guilt.
“This is my fault,” she muttered. “You’re already dealing with so much, and I’ve been adding to your stress. I’m sorry, Stephan.”
Stephan exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing a fraction. “It’s fine. Just focus on your recovery. Let me handle the rest. I’ll make sure you get the justice you deserve.”
Imogen nodded, her hand instinctively cradling her belly. Her fiancé might be gone, but the
Chary 547
child she carried was a piece of him. It was a reason to keep fighting.
Just as Stephan turned to leave, Imogen called out again, stopping him in his tracks. “Stephan, take Johanna with you!”
His eyes narrowed. “No.”
“She’s Archie’s sister,” Imogen pressed, her voice soft but insistent. “No one wants justice for him more than she does. If there’s anything she can do to help, she should be there.”
“No,” Stephan repeated firmly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
Imogen gently nudged Johanna forward, giving her a meaningful look.
Johanna stepped up, her eyes red–rimmed with tears. “Stephan, I promise I won’t be a burden. Please, let me come. I miss my brother so much.. just want to help.”
Her voice cracked, and tears rolled down her cheeks, splashing onto the polished floor. Her vulnerability, paired with the desperation in her eyes, made her look heartbreakingly pitiable.
Imogen sighed, her tone softening as she played the role of mediator. “Stephan, please. Do it for me. I take her as my sister, just as Archie was my family.”
Johanna immediately picked up on, the cue and chimed in, her voice trembling, “Yes, Imogen is my sister. And you, Stephan… I promise I’ll be good. Please, just give me a chance.”
Between the two women’s pleading, Stephan felt cornered. He could dismiss Johanna’s requests without a second thought, but Imogen’s quiet heartbreak was a different story altogether. He couldn’t say no to his sister.
