A Vow of Deception, A Vow of Revenge novel Chapter 227

Yvonne squeezed her eyes shut, pain etched across her face.

Of course she couldn’t let Lucy know the truth—that her father was a gambler, that he’d taken someone else’s money and intentionally run a person down with his car.

When she opened her eyes again, she finally handed Lucy over to Sue.

“Please… take care of her for me.”

“Don’t worry,” Sue said gently. “I swear on my life, Lucy won’t be hurt. Not as long as I’m here.”

Sue could make that promise because she trusted Winona. If Winona said Lucy would be safe, then she would be—no question.

“Thank you.”

Cradling Lucy in her arms, Sue left the room.

Lucy, bewildered and scared, clung to Sue, tears streaming down her cheeks. Sue soothed her, murmuring soft reassurances, then said, “Let’s go get something yummy to eat, okay?”

“But… what about Mom? Why isn’t she coming with us?” Lucy hiccupped through her tears.

“Your mom just has to talk to that lady for a little while. She’ll come find us soon, promise. Be brave, sweetheart.”

Once they were gone, Elvis stepped into the room and quietly took a seat beside Winona.

He wasn’t sure what this woman, Yvonne, might do—if she’d lash out and hurt Winona, or just fall apart—so he stayed close, unwilling to leave Winona unprotected. Besides, he worried that talking about the accident would rattle Winona, and he wanted to be there for her.

Yvonne didn’t ask who he was. She simply moved to sit across from Winona, her hands trembling so badly she had to grip her knees to steady them.

And the truth was, for two years now, she hadn’t slept through a single night. She’d tried to run from it, but guilt was relentless.

Her husband had been the one behind the wheel, but she was the one who’d benefited. All the money she spent had been soaked in someone else’s blood.

“I need you to be honest with me.” Winona’s voice wobbled, her hands pressing lightly on her right leg. “I almost died in that crash.”

Elvis turned to her, eyes rimmed red, his heart breaking for her.

“I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry…” Yvonne’s words tumbled out in a frantic whisper.

“Don’t apologize. That doesn’t help me at all.” Winona’s tone was cold, resolute. “What I want is the truth. I need you to tell me everything you know.”

Yvonne drew in a shaky breath. “I always knew this day would come. I just never thought it would come so soon…”