Chapter 8: Forbidden Bonds

Violet’s POV

The tension in the West estate seemed to ease after the explosive family meeting, but Violet couldn’t shake the feeling that the peace was temporary. Tony’s parting words echoed in her mind like a warning, but Clyde remained calm, his unwavering confidence both reassuring and intimidating.

Days passed, and weeks started to go by; quite naturally, Violet took on her role as Clyde's sister-a role she never thought she would be able to accept so easily. Yet, the more time she spent with him, the harder it became to ignore the growing connection between them-one that had nothing to do with their fabricated sibling bond.

One evening, Clyde invited her to a gala the West family would host to raise funds for their charity organization. "It's vital that you're there," he told her, thrusting a beautiful navy blue gown in her direction.

Violet hesitated, looking a little fearful. "I don't think I am ready for this. What if anyone asks questions I can't answer?"

Clyde smiled blandly. "You'll be alright. Just stick by my side.

That night, as Violet glided down the grand stairs, she felt every single pair of eyes in that room turn toward her. The dress hugged her figure precisely, and the way Clyde's gaze softened at just the sight of her set her cheeks ablaze.

"You look stunning," he said with a low bow, offering his arm.

"Thanks," she mumbled, trying to ignore her fluttering chest.

Mingle with the guests as they did, she couldn't help but catch the way Clyde's hand lingered on the small of her back or how his voice softened when he spoke with her. Subtle, of course, but enough to send her nerves alight.

A Moment of Vulnerability

Later that evening, after most of the guests had gone home, Clyde and Violet stepped out into the garden for some cool air. The moon shone with a silver radiance over the manicured hedges, and the air was heavy with the fragrance of blooming roses.

"I must say," Violet said after a few moments of silence, "this charade is really starting to feel. real."

Clyde turned toward her, his face impassive. "What do you mean?"

She let out a sigh. "I've spent my whole life scraping by, never feeling like I belonged to anything. And now, suddenly, I'm part of this world-your world. It's overwhelming."

"You do belong," Clyde said firmly. "Maybe not as my sister, but. you belong here."

Violet's breath caught. "Not as your sister?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Clyde hesitated, his gaze falling to the ground. "I know this is complicated, but I cannot ignore how I feel about you, Violet."

Her heart raced. "Clyde, we can't-"

"I know," he interrupted, stepping closer. "But I can't help it. Every time I see you, I forget why we're doing this in the first place. All I see is you.

Her mind swirled with a multitude of feelings, one half wanting to push him away, to remind him of the peril of their situation, and the other half found her leaning in closer.

Just as Clyde's hand brushed against hers, a loud crash echoed from the house. They turned to see one of the estate staff running toward them, panic etched across his face.

"Mr. West, it's your father," the staff member said out of breath. "He's taken a turn for the worse."

Clyde's face went white. Without another word, he grabbed Violet's hand and rushed back inside.

As they sped toward the hospital, Violet couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Here she was, caught up in her own feelings while a man's life hung in the balance.

Hospital

The white, sterile walls of the hospital seemed to close in on her as Violet sat in the waiting room. Clyde paced back and forth, his jaw tight and his fists clenched. The quiet hum of machinery and the occasional murmur of nurses filled the air, but Violet could only focus on him.

"Clyde," she said softly, breaking the silence.

He ceased pacing and looked at her, his eyes black with concern. "He's been fighting for so long," Clyde muttered. "I thought bringing you here would give him peace. I thought it would be enough to keep him holding on.

Violet's heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice. She stood and approached him, placing a hand on his arm. "You've done everything you can. Your father knows how much you love him. That's what matters."

Clyde looked down at her, his gaze softening. "You're always so calm," he said. "Even when everything's falling apart."

She gave a small smile. "Trust me, I'm not as calm as I look.

Hours later, the doctor came out and said that Clyde's father was stable for the moment. Relief washed over Clyde, who suddenly let go of himself and leaned up against the wall. Violet stayed with him, an unobtrusive support.

"Let's get out of here," Clyde suddenly told her.

They eventually arrived at a small, somewhat darkened café near the hospital. The warmth of the place was a strong juxtaposition to the cold tension of the hospital, and Violet felt herself slightly relax as they sat across from one another.

"Thanks for staying with me," Clyde said after a moment.

Violet shrugged. "I didn't have anywhere else to be."

His lips twitched into a faint smile. “Still. It means a lot.”

They sat in silence for a while, the quiet hum of conversation around them creating a bubble of intimacy. Violet found herself studying Clyde’s face—the sharp angles of his jaw, the way his brows furrowed slightly when he was lost in thought.

“You’re staring,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

She flushed and looked away. “Sorry.”

He reached across the table, his fingers brushing hers. "Don't apologize. I like it."

She felt her breath hitch at his touch, which ran down her spine like a shiver. "Clyde," she started, but he talked over her.

"I know this is messy," he said. "But I simply cannot ignore how I feel about you, Violet. I tried, but it's impossible."

Her heart thudded in her chest. "We're supposed to be pretending, Clyde. That's all this is.

“It’s not pretending for me,” he said, his voice low. “Not anymore.”

Before Violet could respond, her phone buzzed. She pulled it out and froze when she saw the message:

“I know your secret. Meet me tonight, or I’ll tell everyone.”

Her stomach dropped. The message was from Tony.

“What is it?” Clyde asked, noticing the change in her expression.

"Nothing," she lied, forcing a smile. "Just a reminder about work tomorrow."

Clyde didn't look convinced, but he didn't press her. As they left the café, Violet's mind raced. Tony was getting closer to uncovering the truth, and she had no idea how to stop him.

Later that night, when it was time to go and find Tony, she couldn't get what Clyde had said out of her mind.

"It's not pretending for me. Not anymore."

For a second, she wished to let herself fall in love with him. But now, with Tony's threat still hanging in the air, she knew that fantasy was a little too dangerous to entertain.

What does Tony know? 

The cold evening air nibbled at Violet's skin while she made her way to the address that Tony had sent her. The streets were uncommonly silent, the normal hustle-bustle of the city muffled under the heavy weight of her growing trepidation. Every step weighed heavier than the last, each one closer to a confrontation she wasn't prepared for.

Her mind swarmed with questions. What did Tony know? Was it a bluff or had he really found something that could destroy everything Clyde worked so desperately to safeguard?

When she arrived, Tony was leaning casually against a lamp post, a smug smirk plastered across his face. Arrogant, he looked, every bit the man she had loved, but now all she could feel was a mix of anger and dread.

"Violet," he said, his voice dripping with false sweetness. "So good of you to come."

"Get to the point, Tony," she snapped, crossing her arms. "What do you want?"

He chuckled, pushing off the post and stepping closer. "Oh, don't be like that. I just want to talk."

"About what?"

"About the little game you and Clyde are playing," he said, his tone going sharp. "You think you can just waltz into his life, pretend to be his long-lost sister, and no one's going to notice? Please.

Her heart skipped a beat, but she kept her expression neutral. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, but I do," Tony said, pulling out his phone and holding it up. On the screen was a grainy photo of her and Clyde in the hospital, talking in hushed tones. It wasn't incriminating on its own, but it was enough to raise questions.

"Sharon and Eva are very interested in this little arrangement of yours," Tony went on. "And they're willing to pay a pretty price to see you exposed."

Violet's tummy twisted into knots. "What do you want, Tony?

He smiled, a predator circling his prey. "Simple. I want $100,000. Pay me, and I'll forget I ever saw anything. Refuse, and I'll make sure Sharon and Eva have everything they need to tear you apart."

"I don't have that kind of money," Violet said, her voice shaking.

"Then figure it out," Tony said with a shrug. "You're resourceful. I'm sure Clyde would be happy to help his dear sister.

The word oozed sarcasm from it, and Violet's fists clenched. "You're despicable."

He laughed. "Oh, come on, Violet. You knew this was coming. You didn't seriously think you could escape your past, did you?"

She had barely opened her mouth to retort when her phone whirred. It was Clyde. She hesitated a minute before answering.

"Violet, where are you?" Clyde's voice cut through sharp with concern.

“I… I’m out,” she said, glancing at Tony, who raised an eyebrow.

“Come back to the estate. Now,” Clyde ordered.

She hung up without another word, glaring at Tony. “This isn’t over.”

“Oh, I’m counting on it,” he said, his grin widening.

Back at the West estate, Clyde was waiting for her in the grand entryway, his expression dark.

“Where were you?” he demanded.

"I needed some air," she lied, brushing past him.

Clyde grabbed her arm, stopping her. "Don't lie to me, Violet. Something's going on, and I need to know what it is."

She hesitated, torn between protecting him and confiding in him. But before she could decide, Clyde's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening.

"Sharon and Eva just sent me an email," he said in a low voice. "They've got photos of us at the hospital. They're demanding a meeting tomorrow."

Violet's blood ran cold. "Tony," she whispered.

Clyde's eyes narrowed. "What about Tony?"

"He's working with them," she confessed. "He's trying to blackmail me."

Clyde stared at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he stepped closer, his voice firm. "We're not going to let them win. But I need you to trust me, Violet. No more secrets."

Her throat tightened, but she nodded. "Okay."

"Good," he said. "Because if they're going to play dirty, so will we."

As they were talking, the butler approached with a sealed envelope.

"This just came for you, Mr. West," he said, handing it over.

Clyde opened it; his brows furrowed as he read. Then his expression darkened, and he passed the letter to Violet.

In elegant script, it was a message that read:

"The truth always comes out. Tick-tock."

Violet's hands shook as she looked up at Clyde. "What does this mean?"

"It means someone else knows," Clyde said grimly. "And they're coming for us."