Chapter 290

Matthew and Lindey always treated me like their own daughter. I knew that. But ever since I found that contract, a constant knot has tightened in my chest whenever I'm around them. I long to untangle it, to love them freely and accept their love without reservation.

Thorsten chuckled. "Like father, like daughter."

I froze. He'd just claimed he didn't remember my father. He was lying. Why?

My chest tightened as I dug my nails into my palm. Thorsten let out a soft laugh. "It's because Matthew keeps bringing him up. Otherwise, why would I remember someone I met twice, over ten years ago?"

My throat tightened. "Why does Matthew keep bringing up my dad?"

Thorsten rose. His bodyguard started to move, but Thorsten waved him off. He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the lush lawn. "What do you think Matthew would say about your dad?"

He knew how to play this game. I had no idea what Matthew might have said, and I couldn't fabricate an answer.

I joined him by the window. "Matthew was my dad's only friend."

Thorsten remained silent, his gaze fixed on the view. I glanced out too. The wide expanse of green was calming, almost hypnotic. It reminded me of the prairies my dad used to take me to. Even though my parents didn't have much money, they made sure we traveled every year. They never took me to big cities, saying there was nothing special about concrete jungles. If we were going to travel, they wanted to experience the outdoors. So, deserts, forests, oceans, and wide-open landscapes became my most vivid memories. This green lawn reminded me of the times we stayed in little cabins, drinking fresh milk and roasting marshmallows by the fire.

"Dad once promised me he'd take me to see all the mountains and rivers in the world," I said, remembering his words. But he's gone now, and I haven't been able to bring myself to travel since. All these years living with the Johnston family, whenever Matthew and Lindey went on trips and invited me, I always said no. Traveling had become a deep scar in my heart. I was afraid to touch it, afraid of how much it would hurt.

Chapter 291 (If this is to follow directly)

"You're thinking about your dad, but you're not the only one," Thorsten said.

I held my breath, listening.

"I can't say for sure whether your dad's accident was caused by someone, but I can tell you it had nothing to do with Matthew," Thorsten continued, finally addressing the question I'd been too afraid to ask.

I stayed quiet, though I wanted to ask how he could be so sure. But asking would put a wedge between me and Matthew. Even though Matthew wasn't here, Thorsten was so close to him, it felt like Matthew was watching me through his eyes.

Thorsten continued, "After your dad's accident, Matthew wanted to back out of the contract. But I knew how much it meant to them both, and I didn't want that partnership to fall apart. I kept reaching out to Matthew, again and again, until I finally told him that your parents practically paid for that contract with their lives. If he let it go, it would be like your dad's death meant nothing."

Thorsten's words hit me like a punch to the gut, making my heart clench.

"Matthew isn't the kind of person who'd kill for money or betray a friend. Do you think I'd stick around someone like that?" Thorsten's logic was sound.

I felt a weight lift off my chest. Even though I had my doubts about Matthew, deep down, I was terrified they might actually be true.