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Prime Minister Shule glanced around. His gaze landed on Kiera, standing next to Malik. Ellery’s heart constricted again. Would he pin down the child with questions? The room was so tense it was hard to catch a breath.
“Are you all right, Kiera?” he asked in a kind tone.
“Yes, sir,” she said, all smiles. “Are you bringing Aunt Leslie to the reception tonight? I haven’t seen my mum’s favorite friend in far too long.”
“Yes, sweetheart. I am.” The prime minister looked around the room. His gaze locked with the king’s. Something passed between them, and it wasn’t good. This battle was far from over, and both sides were drawing battle lines.
Ellery had caused this. She felt horrible. Would this be the downfall of the Augustine nation? It sure felt that desperate right now.
“My apologies for interrupting,” Prime Minister Shule said smoothly, nodding to Raymond and Macey. “I received an anonymous tip that I had no choice but to follow up on.”
“I bet you didn’t,” King Nolan said. His voice was steel.
The prime minister exchanged one more glance with the king, then simply raised a hand to everyone, spun on his heel, and stalked from the room. The policemen followed and closed the door behind him.
There was a very awkward silence. Ellery could feel every eye turned to her. She had no clue how to make it right.
“I’m terribly sorry,” she said softly. “Naomi convinced me you’d all been duped by Hattie, and with every news outlet backing up her story …” She licked her lips and looked at Derek. “It seems I’m the one who was duped. I’m so sorry. I’ll just …” She turned to go.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Derek asked softly. “You didn’t trust me?”
“I was so convinced that Hattie was a murderer and had lied to and convinced all of you that she wasn’t.” She met his blue gaze and said, “I guess neither of us trusted each other.”
“Pardon me?”
“You didn’t trust me enough to tell me Hattie was alive.” He’d been genuinely surprised Steffan and Hattie were here, so she couldn’t throw that at him.
“Would it have mattered? Or would you have just informed Naomi sooner?”
Shame rushed through her. She’d messed everything up. She always lacked trust and then she’d trusted in the exact wrong person. Naomi Rindlesbacher was a calculating and smooth liar and very convincing, but it was no excuse. She should’ve prayed about it. She should’ve talked to her mom and Aunt Elise. She should’ve talked to Derek.
Hattie and Steffan had to hate her. The entire family had to be angry at her for almost getting Hattie thrown in prison. Maybe they would still find her and arrest her.
“Will Hattie and Steffan get away?” she asked.
Derek shrugged. “I hope so.” His blue eyes were miserable. She’d betrayed him and his family. How to explain? How to make it right? She didn’t know that either was possible right now.
“I’m so sorry.” She looked around the room. “I thought I was protecting you all from a murdering liar. I messed it all up.” She focused on Macey. “I’m terribly sorry about messing up your wedding.”
Macey looked like she was trying to nod and reassure Ellery, but she looked extremely upset. No one could blame her for that. They could all blame Ellery—and they probably were.
“I just wanted everyone together and happy for one day. Now Steffan and Hattie, Gage and Cass, and Sutton and Liz are all gone.” She sniffled and then burst into tears.
Raymond immediately wrapped her in his arms and turned her away, as if shielding her from Ellery. From the pain Ellery had brought to their family.
Kiera started crying too. “Macey, I’m sorry. I thought Elle was the best. I didn’t know she’d try to hurt Hattie and ruin your wedding.” Kiera ran from the room, slamming the door behind her.
Ellery was frozen in horror. How had this backfired so completely?
“I’ve got her,” Aliya said to everyone, following Kiera. “It’ll be right as rain.” As she walked past Ellery, she murmured, “Snake in the grass.”
Ellery blinked back tears herself. She looked around. Ray was holding Macey with his back to her. Chief Jensen and Major Chad were conferring, not looking at her. Malik and Tristan were both staring at her as if not sure who they were seeing.
King Nolan’s gaze hit her the hardest. He was sad. Was he disappointed in her or upset that she’d ruined the one day his family could be happily together again? A golden moment for all of them—and she’d destroyed it. Ellery had failed many times in her life, obstacle after obstacle that she didn’t complete. But she’d never failed this completely.
She finally looked at Derek. His gaze was tortured. He’d brought her here, and he claimed he’d loved her for over four mouths. Now he’d hurt his family deeply because of the woman he’d fallen in love with unknowingly backstabbing all of them. ‘Snake in the grass’ felt about right.
Derek’s family was already suffering losing their wife and mother, and now she’d hurt them even worse.
