Your name was on it too

(Livia) I called my father again, but he didn't answer. I tried a second time before giving up. He had mentioned an agreement and then ended the conversation without explaining anything. I couldn't understand why he expected me to ignore something that involved my marriage. I opened my messages and searched for my mother's number. We hadn't spoken since she called to remind me about the wedding photographs. I doubted she would tell me anything my father wanted hidden. Still, I decided to try. She answered after several rings. "Livia, what is it?" "I need to ask you something." "Can it wait? I'm expecting guests." "No, it can't." She sighed. "Then make it quick." "What agreement did you and father sign with Charles Prescott?" She didn't answer immediately. I could hear someone speaking in the background before she told them to wait. When she returned to the phone, she sounded annoyed. I knew she wasn't going to make this easy. "Who told you about that?" "Father." "What exactly did he say?" "That I shouldn't mention it." "Then perhaps you should listen to him." I sat on the bed and removed the earrings Nina had helped me put on. My mother had never liked being questioned about anything. Usually, I would have apologized and ended the conversation. I wasn't going to do that now. "Was the agreement signed before Camille disappeared?" "Livia, your father handles the business arrangements." "That wasn't my question." "And I'm not discussing it with you." "Why?" "Because it doesn't concern you." I looked at the wedding ring on my finger. They had arranged my marriage without asking what I wanted. Now they were telling me their agreement had nothing to do with me. I wondered whether my mother could hear how ridiculous she sounded. "I'm the one married to Julian." "And you should be grateful for that." "Everyone keeps telling me that." "Because you don't seem to appreciate your position." I removed the ring and placed it on the table beside my bed. My mother continued speaking, but I stopped listening. I was tired of hearing how fortunate I was. None of them knew what living with Julian was like. "Mother, did you know I would be marrying him before Camille ran away?" "What are you suggesting?" "I'm asking a question." "Your sister embarrassed this family, and you helped us avoid a scandal." "That doesn't answer anything." "I have guests arriving, Livia." She ended the call before I could ask another question. I placed my phone beside the ring and looked around my room. Both my parents knew something they refused to explain. I was beginning to wonder whether Camille knew about it too. I picked up my phone and opened our messages. Camille hadn't contacted me since asking me not to reveal her location. I considered calling her, but I didn't want another conversation about Julian's feelings. Instead, I sent her a message. Did our parents sign an agreement with Charles before your wedding? I waited several minutes without receiving a reply. Then I changed out of the blue dress and put on my usual clothes. I hung the dress beside the cream one and returned the jewelry to its box. A knock came just as I finished. "Come in." Mrs. Harris entered carrying a small tray. "I brought you some tea, Mrs. Prescott." "Thank you." She placed the tray on the table and noticed the wedding ring beside my phone. Her eyes moved away before I could say anything. I wondered whether she had been instructed to check on me. Julian seemed interested in everything I did. "Is there anything else you need?" "Actually, yes." She waited. "How long have you worked for the Prescott family?" "Nearly eighteen years." "Then you must have known Julian's grandfather." Mrs. Harris nodded. "Very well." I sat beside the tray and poured myself some tea. She remained near the table instead of leaving. I wondered whether asking her questions would cause trouble. But she was the only person in the mansion who might know something. "Was he close to my family?" "Not particularly, Mrs. Prescott." "What about my father?" "They attended several business functions together." I considered her answer. My father had always spoken highly of the Prescotts, especially their wealth. He had been delighted when Camille became engaged to Julian. I had assumed the families simply wanted the marriage. "Did Julian's grandfather want Camille to marry him?" Mrs. Harris looked surprised. "I wouldn't know his personal wishes." "But he wanted Julian married?" "That was my understanding." "Did he ever mention why?" She glanced toward the door. "I'm afraid those matters weren't discussed with the household staff." I nodded and thanked her for the tea. She collected the empty jewelry box before leaving. I didn't want to put her in an uncomfortable position by asking more questions. Besides, I doubted Julian's family shared their secrets with employees. My phone lit up shortly afterward. Camille had finally answered my message. I picked it up, expecting her to say she knew nothing. Instead, her reply made me sit upright. Why are you asking about that agreement? I read her message twice before responding. Because father told me not to mention it. Three dots appeared on the screen. They disappeared before returning a few seconds later. I waited, wondering what she was going to say. Her next message arrived less than a minute afterward. Livia, please don't get involved in this. I called her immediately. She answered after the fourth ring, sounding irritated. I didn't bother greeting her. I wanted an explanation. "What do you know about the agreement?" "Livia, I told you not to get involved." "I'm already involved, Camille. I'm married to Julian." "Then stop asking questions that could make things worse." "Worse for whom?" She didn't answer. "Camille?" "For everyone." I stood and walked toward the door. My sister knew something, and she wasn't even trying to deny it. I wondered why she had disappeared if the marriage was so important to our parents. None of this was making sense. "Did you know I would replace you?" "No." "Then what did you know?" "I knew father had made arrangements with Charles." "What arrangements?" She took a breath. "Money, Livia. It was about money." I stopped walking. My father had always cared about his business, but I hadn't imagined he would involve me in something like this. Camille had been engaged to Julian for months. I wondered how much money had been exchanged between our families. "Did Julian know?" "I don't think so." "How much money?" "I don't know the exact amount." "Then why did you run away?" Camille didn't answer immediately. I heard a door close on her end of the call. When she spoke again, she sounded frightened. I had never heard her speak like that before. "Because I found out what father promised Charles." "What did he promise?" "Livia, you need to understand something." "Then tell me." She hesitated. "The agreement wasn't just about me marrying Julian." I gripped my phone. "What do you mean?" Camille spoke again. "Your name was in it too."