No Accident

“Yes, we had come,” the braid loosened, her modern dress slipping. She shed the tray, fled for the sitting room, placing a pillow behind her back. Convalescing. “I see you’ve found her.”

We’ve known her for years; we were neighbors at the Vicarage. Her words stung, a cold reminder. This was getting away from the hero-worship, though major wintering is needed to hone and manipulate the situation.

“Sheila, your… mother’s death… I widened my eyes. The men… had I now you’ll take good care.”

Booter berpay… fair trowel of her, but with everything that's happening… or to be the true Bolton, her… and I don’t know the marriage. Things are getting complicated. I'm new to this tense desk. The full story? One uid, trying to make my painting… dear lass, death shrouded in mystery. Ma Sander knows the wrath… and then how are you… her, meet… the best time for you to be looking after her.

Then I wasn’t sure if Sheila would hurt Anna; I wasn’t going to let her anywhere near her. Sheila's face grew older, her lips curling. “What’s this? You think you can tell me what to do? Am I not even allowed to care for my own daughter?”

I kept my voice calm. “Sheila, I don’t mean to upset you. But since Jeffrey asked me to handle things around here, things have been a little… We can’t afford to make it worse. Ms. Sander’s… status is questionable, and I just want to make sure you’re not caught in the middle.”

“Zoey,” Sheila interrupted, her voice hardening. “I’ve been with the Boltons for years. You’re just a new bride. Don’t think you can start bossing me around.”

I had planned to keep things civil, but Sheila didn’t waste any time showing her true colors. I stopped pretending, my fingers tracing over my nails. “Sheila, I’m sure you have more experience than me, but let’s not forget, Adam loves you, but Jeffrey still calls the shots. You and Adam never got married.” Not legally.

Years ago, Adam had brought her into the Boltons, going against everything Jeffrey believed in, and against the family tree.

If she truly believed in true love and wasn’t after the Bolton fortune, the marriage license wouldn’t matter. But now, I wondered if the real reason she didn’t act sooner was because of her failure to marry Adam. Even after his death, she couldn’t call herself his wife, which meant she had no claim to his inheritance. Jeffrey had always been cautious around her. For years, she’d tried to soften his resolve, trying to gain his favor. But all her efforts hadn’t changed anything. She was still stuck in an awkward position.

My words hit a nerve. Even without a wedding, I was Carter’s wife, recognized by Jeffrey himself. I was part of the family. And Sheila? She had nothing.

“Zoey,” Sheila said, her voice cold and sharp, “I suggest you be careful.” Her eyes locked onto mine, filled with venom. It was the stare of a predator—one ready to strike.

I knew now that Sheila was one of the people responsible for my death. It didn’t scare me. In fact, I felt no fear at all. I pushed down the anger rising inside me and met her gaze with equal sharpness.

“Sheila, I’m not sure I understand what you mean,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I’m just doing what Jeffrey asked. But with everything going on at the Boltons lately… first, the servant made a false report, and on that very day, we found poison in Silas’s food.”

The situation was suspicious. Anyone with half a brain would think the same. I spoke plainly, knowing the truth was all I needed.

“Linda is just a maid, so why would she care about our every move?” I continued. “The Boltons aren’t that big of a family. This whole thing doesn’t add up.”

“Strange? What’s strange about it? Are you accusing me of something?” she retorted, her tone defensive.

“Silas never spoke a word before he died, and you’re Anna’s foster mother. You have a motive, don’t you?”

I stared directly into her eyes. “Silas was the Bolton heir, but he was switched at birth. You have a special position here. I have reason to think you’re involved. From now on, you won’t be allowed to contact Anna, and you can’t leave the Boltons’ place unless I say so.”

“Zoey, are you trying to lock me up?” she snapped.

“No,” I replied, shaking my head slightly. “I just want you to work with me here. The family needs the truth. If you’re innocent, I’ll apologize and bow to you. But if you’re guilty… well, we’ll see.”

I stepped closer, making sure each word landed with precision. “If you’re hiding something, then this won’t end well for you.”

Carter’s people were already making moves. The time for waiting was over. It was time to act, and Silas’s death was the perfect opportunity.

“Zoey, you dare!” Sheila’s voice was icy.

“Jeffrey gave his orders. The Boltons are under my control. I’m simply doing my job,” I replied coolly.

At that moment, Adam entered the room. His face was pale, worn with grief after losing both his son and grandson. He looked like a man who had aged years in a matter of days.

“Say something, honey!” Sheila cried. “Is this what’s happening now? Are Carter and his wife taking over the Boltons?”

I didn’t know if Carter had warned him ahead of time, but this time, Adam didn’t back Sheila.

“Do what Zoey says,” he said flatly.

“Adam! How can you do this to me? After everything we’ve been through?” Sheila tried to plead.

But Adam cut her off, his voice cold and decisive. “Because I want the truth as well.”

“Are you accusing me?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“I’m not accusing you,” Adam replied, his voice thick with emotion as he mentioned Silas. “But Linda called the police for no reason, and then she ended up dead in a detention center. Silas was the same way.”

His voice wavered again when he spoke of Silas. “And remember the car crash, when Carter and my late wife were involved? That wasn’t an accident. Someone may have planned it.”

As soon as the car accident was brought up, something clicked. Carter’s leg—he had healed long ago, but he still acted as though he were crippled. Had he known all along?

If everything was connected—my death, Carter’s leg, Adam’s late wife’s death, Silas, Luke, the Sanders—then this wasn’t just a series of unfortunate events. It was all part of something bigger. Something far more dangerous.

“Honey, are you really blaming me for that car accident?” Sheila’s voice trembled with disbelief.

Adam’s gaze hardened, his eyes fiery. “If my wife hadn’t died, you’d never have had the chance to marry me.”

Sheila’s face paled. “How can you say that?” Her voice cracked, her tears flowing freely now. “Do you know how much I struggled, raising our daughter alone? If you hadn’t left us, she’d still be alive today. And now, you’re accusing me? I’m just a woman—what could I have done to cause an accident?”

Sheila broke down, her sobs echoing in the room. “I shouldn’t have come back.”

Before anyone could react, she turned and ran toward the balcony. In seconds, she was on the railing, her figure outlined against the sky.

“If you think I’m guilty,” she called, her voice raw with emotion, “would it make you happy if I were gone?”