Chapter 35

The Blackwoods surrounded Evelyn, their voices overlapping as they expressed concern for her condition. Their worried faces and gentle touches created a suffocating cocoon of attention.

Victoria stood awkwardly at the periphery, feeling like an intruder in this intimate family moment. Without a word, she slipped out of the hospital room and found herself drawn to the first-floor garden corridor. The stone bench felt cool beneath her as she sank onto it, her gaze fixed on the distant hedges with unseeing eyes.

A deep baritone voice sliced through her thoughts like a knife. "Penny for your thoughts?"

Victoria startled, her head whipping toward the sound. Liam stood mere inches away, his imposing frame casting a shadow over her. Without waiting for invitation, he took a seat beside her, the space between them charged with unspoken tension.

Her fingers curled into the fabric of her skirt. "Nothing important," she replied, her voice carefully neutral.

Liam's lips twisted into a humorless smile. His next words came out like an accusation. "Did you hear about our classified project?"

Victoria blinked in genuine confusion. When their eyes met, she noticed how his piercing gaze seemed to see straight through her. There was something unsettling about the way he studied her - as if she were a puzzle to be solved.

"Project Shadowhunt?" she ventured cautiously.

His expression darkened. "The details have been compromised."

The implication hit her like a physical blow. Her spine straightened as realization dawned. "You think I leaked it?"

Liam didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked out across the garden, his profile sharp in the afternoon light. "Aside from the President and his inner circle, only you and I had access to that information."

Victoria's breath caught in her throat. The unfairness of the accusation burned like acid. "It wasn't me," she said, each word deliberate. "I don't know the specifics of your project, Liam. And I certainly didn't share anything about it."

His cold scrutiny didn't waver. "While I was away in Solterra," he said slowly, "I took the opportunity to dig deeper into your background."

A chill ran down Victoria's spine. She clenched her hands in her lap to stop their trembling.

"What I found was... illuminating," Liam continued, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "You have quite the interesting hidden history."

Victoria felt the blood drain from her face. What fresh horror was he about to reveal?

"You were recruited by Obsidian Circle," Liam stated flatly. "Their elite training program."

Victoria frowned. "What's Obsidian Circle?"

"A shadow organization," he explained, his voice like steel. "They specialize in creating perfect weapons - assassins, spies, honey traps."

Goosebumps erupted across Victoria's skin. The accusation was so absurd she nearly laughed. Nearly. Because the look in Liam's eyes told her he believed every word.

She swallowed hard. "I understand why you'd suspect me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I swear to you, I know nothing about your project. I haven't told anyone anything."

Her throat tightened as she continued. "My memory loss is real, Liam. Those missing pieces? I don't want them back. Whatever darkness is in my past, I want it to stay buried."

Tears pricked at her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. "I don't know how to prove my innocence to you. Just like with all of Victoria's schemes against me, I suppose I'll just have to bear the blame."

With a bitter laugh, she spread her hands in surrender. "If you have proof I'm your leak, then by all means - arrest me as the traitor you clearly believe I am."