Stephan hesitated, wanting to shield his sister from the truth; the details might be too much for her. But Imogen knew him too well.
“Don’t even think about lying to me!” she snapped. “Tell me everything. I can handle it.” Her hands gripped the blanket, her sightless eyes filled with unwavering resolve and burning hatred. “Once you find the culprit, I’ll kill them myself!”
Stephan’s expression darkened. After a moment, he said slowly, “The killer hasn’t been identified. The trail’s gone cold, but our lead points to a faction operating in Khogend.” He paused, gauging her reaction. “There was something on that ship—something incredibly valuable, worth more than money. People would kill for it.”
Imogen froze.
“Archie wasn’t just your fiancé,” Stephan said, his voice heavier. “Before that, he was my man. That shipment… it was a high-stakes operation. I needed someone I could trust implicitly, and Archie volunteered.” He looked away. “He even joked about it being his last mission as my subordinate, saying he’d be retiring to become my brother-in-law.”
Stephan’s fists clenched. “I agreed. I sent decoy ships, but somehow, the intel leaked. They attacked the real ship, slaughtered everyone, and took the cargo. Archie didn’t stand a chance.” His voice dropped to a chilling whisper. “The more I dig, the more it points back to Khogend. And… it might have ties to the Fuller family.”
He kept some details to himself.
“Khogend…” Imogen murmured, her brows furrowed. “You’ve been spending so much time there lately. It’s all connected, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” he admitted.
Imogen’s shoulders slumped, her grief evident. But instead of breaking down, guilt surfaced. “This is my fault,” she muttered. “You’re already dealing with so much, and I’ve been adding to your stress. I’m sorry, Stephan.”
Stephan exhaled, relaxing slightly. “It’s fine. Just focus on your recovery. Let me handle the rest. I’ll make sure you get justice.”
Imogen nodded, her hand instinctively on her belly. Her fiancé was gone, but the child she carried was a piece of him—a reason to keep fighting.
Just as Stephan turned to leave, Imogen called out, stopping him. “Stephan, take Johanna with you!”
His eyes narrowed. “No.”
“She’s Archie’s sister,” Imogen pressed, her voice soft but insistent. “No one wants justice more than she does. If she can help, she should be there.”
“No,” Stephan repeated firmly.
Imogen gently nudged Johanna forward.
Johanna stepped up, her eyes red-rimmed. “Stephan, I promise I won’t be a burden. Please, let me come. I miss my brother so much… I just want to help.” Her voice cracked, tears rolling down her cheeks. Her vulnerability was heartbreaking.
Imogen softened her tone, mediating. “Stephan, please. Do it for me. I consider her my sister, just as Archie was my family.”
Johanna echoed, her voice trembling, “Yes, Imogen is my sister. And you, Stephan… I promise I’ll be good. Please, just give me a chance.”
Between the women’s pleas, Stephan felt cornered. He could easily dismiss Johanna, but Imogen’s quiet heartbreak was different. He couldn’t say no to his sister.