The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 327

Chapter 327

My mouth fell open. It was a brilliant lie, and completely believable given what Alexander knew about my relationship with

Lilith.

“You and Ella are… were… related?” Alexander breathed.

Lilith nodded curtly. “When my half–sister died, I vowed to keep an eye on her child as long as I could. I often watched Ella from the sidelines, then applied to work in your home when she married you. Forgive me for never telling you, but I couldn’t tell anyone. Not even Ella.”

“Why?” Alexander looked perturbed.

“My reasons are my own,” Lilith said calmly.

Alexander stared at Lilith for a long moment, eyes flicking over her face. Finally, he said, “I never met Henrietta Eden, Ella’s mother–she passed long before Ella and I ever met. But I’ve seen pictures, and you do look like her.”

“I know.” Lilith lifted her chin.

“But you could have told me after Ella’s death,” Alexander went on. “I would have helped you research.”

“I didn’t want to bother you with my family drama.” Lilith shrugged. “You have enough to worry about with the wedding and everything else. I thought it would be simpler to have Stella look into it quietly.”

“So that’s why you went to Stormhollow,” Alexander said, turning back to me with a softer look in his eyes. “Their archives would have more complete family records.”

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Lucien, completely unaware of the situation, giggled and blew another bubble.

“I can help you reconnect with Ella’s family,” Alexander said to Lilith. “Margaret and Richard aren’t the warmest people, but they might be willing to-”

“No!” Lilith’s sharp response cut him off. She immediately looked embarrassed by her outburst. “I mean… thank you for the offer, but I don’t think I can speak to them. Richard wasn’t kind to my half–sister and it always bothered me that he remarried so soon after her death.”

Alexander’s entire body went rigid at that. No doubt he was making comparisons to himself in that latter regard.

“I understand,” he finally said. “But the offer stands if you ever change your mind.”

“Thank you.” Lilith’s smile was tight. “I appreciate your kindness.”

A long silence fell after that. Alexander ran a hand through his hair and sighed heavily.

“I’m sorry,” he said, turning to me with a look of contrition this time. “I shouldn’t have confronted you like that. I was already wound up from who I ran into last night, and I took it out on you.”

“Who did you run into?” I asked.

“I ran into Margaret Eden at the library. Ella’s stepmother. She and Richard never attended Ella’s funeral, and seeing her in person made me furious.”

I blinked, surprised. So she was still there when Alexander was there?

Curious, I asked without thinking, “What kind of book did she check out?”

Alexander opened his mouth, then closed it again and frowned, brow furrowing. “Why does that matter?” he asked, then shook his head. “I don’t know. Some romance books.”

Romance books. From the restricted section. That didn’t make any sense.

“Oh,” I said. “I was just curious.”

Clearly too tired to dwell on it, Alexander moved toward the gate, then paused. “If there’s anything else you need help with, either of you, just ask. I know I’ve been distracted lately with everything going on, but you’re both important to this household.”

After he left, I clutched Lucien to my chest and let out a shaky breath. That had been way too close.

“Thank you,” I whispered to Lilith. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t shown up.”

“I’m sure we’ll deal with the consequences of that lie at some point,” Lilith said, taking a seat next to me.

I sighed, hoping that she wasn’t right. But knowing her, she probably was.

She shot me a sidelong glance. “Did you see Margaret at the library, too?“.

“That obvious, huh?” I looked down, certain my face must have blanched at the mention of her. I decided to tell Lilith everything I’d seen last night.

Lilith’s expression was troubled by the time I was finished. “Hm. That’s very strange. I wonder what purpose she could have for the restricted section of the pack library?”

“I have no idea. But it sounds like she grabbed some mundane books on her way out to not raise suspicions, which… raises my suspicions.”

Lilith stood suddenly and began making her way toward the exit. “I think I need to look into this.”

“How?” I asked, staring at her.

Lilith paused and, glancing over her shoulder, shot me a wink. “Don’t worry about that, dear. I’ve got my connections.”