A Vow of Deception, A Vow of Revenge novel Chapter 33

Victor chuckled, a warm confidence in his voice. "Don't worry, sweetheart. He's absolutely trustworthy."

He paused for a moment, then added, "Darling, I'm not trying to force you into an arranged marriage. I just want you to leave Tyson for now. When you're back, give your fiancé a chance—get to know him. If it truly doesn't work out, then so be it."

"I know, Dad." Winona smiled, though there was a trace of resignation in her voice. "But... you still haven't told me who this person actually is."

Victor laughed heartily. "Ah, I almost forgot—he's—"

Before he could finish, urgent voices erupted in the background.

"Something's come up at work. I need to check on it. We'll talk soon, alright?"

Without waiting for her reply, Victor hung up in a rush.

Winona could only laugh helplessly to herself.

Well, there'd be plenty of time to learn about her so-called fiancé when she got back.

She stared at her phone as the screen dimmed, a strange sense of emptiness washing over her.

How long had it been since she'd had a real conversation with her father like this?

She realized she'd been so foolish before.

After a hot shower, Winona slipped into bed, but sleep wouldn't come. She tossed and turned for ages before drifting off, only to jolt awake in the middle of the night, heart pounding.

The nightmare again—the car accident from two years ago.

She sat up, breathing hard, cold sweat slicked across her forehead.

After that, there was no hope of relaxing back into sleep.

She got dressed and stepped out of her bedroom, needing fresh air.

The neighborhood was upscale and secure—no one would bother her if she went for a midnight walk.

The living room was pitch dark, but the balcony lights were on.

Who could be out there so late?

"Mom, why did you drag me out here in the middle of the night?" Celia's tired voice drifted in from the balcony. "I was about to go to bed…"

"You really have no idea how much you worry me, do you?" Simone's voice replied, exasperated.

So, a late-night mother-daughter talk.

Winona was about to turn away when Simone's next words rooted her to the floor.

"You and your brother… I'm warning you both—enough is enough!"

What did that mean?

Simone had known about Celia and Ty all along.

She'd gone out of her way to keep Winona in the dark.

The only reason she treated Winona kindly was to keep her as a buffer between the two foster siblings.

All this time, she'd just been a tool—nothing more.

And deep down, Simone had always looked down on her.

Winona suddenly remembered the first time Tyson had introduced her to Simone. Simone had kept probing, asking about her family background.

Winona had wanted to be honest about her upbringing, but remembering her father's wishes, she hesitated. She'd simply said she came from an ordinary family.

She hadn't meant to hide anything—she just wanted to wait until she could talk things through with her father. Once he accepted her relationship with Tyson, she'd tell Tyson the whole truth.

At the time, Simone's expression had flickered, just for a second, before she'd resumed her gentle, welcoming smile.

Winona had thought she must have imagined it.

Looking back now, it was clear—Simone had never truly accepted her.

She'd only pretended, because she didn't want her son and foster daughter to end up together, and she knew Winona was useful for keeping them apart.