The Duty Of The Heir (Book 3): A Surprise Pregnancy Romance (The Heir’s Series 5)

Presley Estates, Wesbury

Anxiety tightens its grip on me as I reach for my phone next to me on the bed.

It’s unusually early for calls.

When I see the caller ID, a wave of unease washes over me. I recognize the number but can’t place it. Why would they be calling me now? I brace myself and answer with a trembling, ‘Hello?’

‘Anne?’ I recognize the voice, making my heart race.

‘Yes. Who is this?’ I pretend not to know.

‘I need you to take me to this psychic in Sterling. I want to hear what she said myself.’ Her request sends a knot of fear in my stomach.

‘Who is this?’

‘You don’t know who’s calling? Isn’t that a security issue?’ she taunts.

‘Who is speaking?’ I demand, my annoyance rising.

‘It’s Geneva.’ I can almost picture her smirking.

‘Which Geneva?’ I stall for time.

‘Geneva Parker-Hammond.’ Her full name sends a chill through me.

‘Why are you calling me?’ I ask, trying to sound composed.

‘You know why,’ she says, and I panic, wondering how much she knows about the curse.

‘About what? What do you mean?’ I stammer, my voice shaky.

‘You made up a curse story about my family to push your son into action, didn’t you?’ Her accusation feels like a physical blow.

‘I didn’t make anything up,’ I defend weakly, feeling cornered.

‘So, it’s true then? I want to see this psychic. When can you take me?’ Geneva’s persistence is unnerving.

‘You realize I could have you arrested for threatening me like this,’ I warn her.

‘Threatening? Who’s threatening whom?’ Geneva’s laughter sends shivers down my spine.

‘I’ll call the police if you don’t end this call,’ I say, my voice quivering.

‘Go ahead. I’ll wait,’ she taunts, her words heavy and ominous.

‘I’m serious,’ I assert, trying to sound brave despite my racing heart.

‘You ruined a beautiful marriage because you couldn’t keep yours together,’ she accuses.

‘What are you talking about?’ I ask, her words cutting deep.

‘Oh, everyone knows your late husband didn’t love you,’ she says, and I can’t help but let out a bitter laugh.

‘That’s a lie,’ I counter, struggling to maintain my calm.

‘God bless Sheila,’ she adds, twisting the knife further.

‘I see,’ I reply, a sense of doom settling over me.

‘Get ready. I’m coming for you,’ Geneva’s threat makes my blood run cold.

‘Oh?’M

‘You’re despicable,’ she spits out.

‘Mind your language.’

‘I’ll be in touch soon,’ she says and abruptly hangs up, leaving me in a state of shock and fear.

I quickly hang up and set the phone down on my dresser, feeling my heart pounding wildly. I pick up the phone again and dial Duke, who’s currently at the Chateau. Tara connects me to the master’s line.

‘Hi, Mother?’ His voice filters through, a stark reminder of the chaos unfolding.

‘Duke, what have you done?’ My voice is a mix of anger and fear.

‘Done what?’ He sounds confused.

‘You told them everything?’ I can barely keep my emotions in check.

‘About what?’

‘The curse,’ I say sharply, a blend of betrayal and frustration in my voice.

There’s a pause, and I can almost feel Duke’s dawning realization. ‘I didn’t think it’d be an issue.’

‘You didn’t think? How could you be so careless?’ I’m nearly shouting now, a cocktail of anger and disappointment churning inside me.

‘Mother, wait…’ He tries to cut in.

‘You’ve sparked a family war!’ I exclaim, overwhelmed by the gravity of his revelation.

‘Why does it have to be a war?’ He sounds confused.

‘You should’ve never mentioned the curse,’ I assert, feeling the weight of our situation.

‘They didn’t need to know?’ He challenges my logic.

‘No, they didn’t!’ I snap, losing patience.

‘Why not?’ he asks, his voice calm but probing.

‘Don’t question me!’ I almost roar, wishing he had remained silent.

‘Why does this bother you, Mother? You didn’t create this story. The old lady did. What’s your concern?’ His tone is firm, but I detect a hint of hurt.

‘It was meant to stay between us,’ I confess, a sense of despair washing over me.

‘But why should it have been a secret?’ He asks, his voice laced with sadness.

‘We shouldn’t have revealed it. It’s their secret as well,’ I say, my voice faltering under the weight of the situation.

‘I don’t get it, Mother,’ Duke admits, confusion clear in his tone.

‘You didn’t need to tell them, Duke. Understand me? This was supposed to stay hidden,’ I implore, desperation creeping into my voice.

‘But it’s out in the open now. I couldn’t keep hiding it from her,’ Duke counters, his voice strained.

‘You should have waited,’ I whisper, feeling utterly defeated.

‘Mother, my marriage is hanging by a thread. Aisling is completely shocked. I’m facing my worst fear. I think I’ve lost her,’ he says, his voice cracking with raw emotion.

‘Duke, you should have talked to me first,’ I say, feeling powerless.

‘Talked to you first?’ He sounds surprised at the suggestion.

‘Yes,’ I confirm.

‘Why?’ he asks wearily.

‘Because I would have advised against it. I would have told you not to tell them,’ I explain, my voice trembling.

‘Why didn’t you want them to know?’ Duke asks.

‘It would embarrass them,’ I answer quietly, barely audible.

‘I don’t think they’re embarrassed. They’re determined to find out the truth. You shouldn’t worry unless it’s not true,’ he says confidently, his voice steady.

Silence hangs in the air for a tense five seconds. I feel overwhelmed. ‘I’ll call you back,’ I finally manage to say.

‘Alright,’ Duke responds, his tone soft, showing understanding.