Chapter 200

I'd planned to get into Matthew's car, but it proved far easier than anticipated. Finding the address I needed, however, would require more effort.

"Hey, Edward, can you pull over? My stomach's feeling awful. I think I'm going to be sick," I said, adopting my best "I'm about to die" expression as we passed a pharmacy.

He glanced at me in the rearview mirror, his face instantly registering alarm. "Yeah, sure," he said, pulling over quickly.

Once stopped, Edward turned around, his worry evident. "Rea, are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

"Nah, it's probably just the tea Matthew made. Upset my stomach, I guess." I casually dropped Matthew's name to prevent him from dismissing my request. I clutched my stomach for added effect. "Could you grab me some omeprazole from the pharmacy? One pill should do the trick."

Edward nodded, still looking unconvinced. "You sure you don't need a doctor?"

I didn't answer, simply giving him a look that clearly communicated, "Don't push it."

Edward didn't press the issue. He'd worked for the Johnstons long enough to understand the dynamics. Even though I was no longer with Jace, he knew how things worked in that house. No one ever refused me.

He hurried out, but before crossing the street, I called, "Oh, and grab me a bottle of water, too."

He turned, shaking his head. "There's water in the car. I'll pour some when I get back." His worry was palpable as he rushed off.

The second he disappeared into the pharmacy, I leaned forward, my heart pounding, and reached for the navigation system. 'This is so bad,' I thought, my pulse echoing in my ears.

I glanced repeatedly at the window, watching for Edward. Fortunately, a barrier would slow him, giving me extra time.

I frantically scrolled through the navigation history, but nothing seemed unusual. Panic began to set in after a few minutes. I'd gone back a month and still found nothing.

Had I messed this up?

I refused to give up. I continued searching, my heart sinking when I spotted Edward leaving the pharmacy, medicine in hand, returning to the car.

My pulse surged. He was almost back, and I still hadn't found anything. Then—there it was. A route labeled "private."

Why would anyone mark a regular driving route as private unless they were hiding something?

A rush of adrenaline hit me—this had to be it. But, of course, the route was password-protected.

I froze. Who had set this up? Edward was just the driver; he wouldn't do this. No, this was Matthew's car. It had to be him. Matthew controlled everything; Edward simply followed orders.

I had only three password attempts. If I failed, the system would lock, and Matthew would know someone had been snooping. I couldn't risk that.

So, what would Matthew use?

I glanced out the window. Edward was approaching, nearly across the barrier. I had maybe two minutes. My mind raced.

Matthew was deeply in love with Lindsey. It had to be something related to her. I quickly typed in her birthday.

[Incorrect password.]

I gasped. Time was running out. Edward was less than a hundred feet away.

My fingers hovered over the screen, panic rising. If it wasn't her birthday, perhaps their anniversary? I typed it in, my hands trembling.

[Incorrect password.]

I almost screamed. My heart pounded furiously; I had one try left.

Two choices: risk locking the system or walk away and lose everything.

Edward was less than fifty meters away, and even though the windows were tinted, it felt like he could see me, like he knew something was amiss.

Then, a memory surfaced—something Jace had casually mentioned once—his parents never showed favoritism between him and his brother. They used both their birthdays for important passwords.