Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(116)

Chapter 30





Rotterdam, December 26, 2019

Tess Hagen





I’m radiant. I pour some tea in my cup while reading a couple of emails. But suddenly I hear knocking and Anika steps in.

“Tess, there’s someone here for you.” Anika opens the door a bit further, and I smile—even though I’m not that impressed to see her here.

I stand up, adjust my pink dress, and keep my posture as straight as I can. “Mrs. Van Dieren, such a pleasant surprise to see you here in my modest house.”

I check the lady out briefly. She sports a long carmine-colored coat and wears a shade of lipstick that matches her outfit, along with imposing gold earrings. Her short silver-white hair is pushed back, and her elegant smoky eyes gleam.

“Good afternoon, Tess.” Anika closes the door behind Margaret and she moves closer to me. “I apologize for my unexpected visit,” she begins. “I heard you came to my property this morning. I’m saddened you didn’t even let me know you were there. I would have invited you in for tea.”

“Indeed, I had some urgent matters to discuss with your son.”

“I figured that out. Shall we have a seat and try to discuss this rationally, as two mothers who only want the best for their children?”

“Sounds reasonable.” Margaret and I sit on either end of the sofa. “Would you like some tea?”

“No, thank you. I’m fine.” Margaret studies me while taking a deep breath. “So, may I ask the reason why you are so against my son marrying your daughter?”

“You know perfectly well the reason, Margaret.”

“You know perfectly well that everything he’s done was consensual.”

“Right, and what about one of the women dying because the choking stopped her from breathing? Consensual?”

“It was an accident,” she snarls immediately. “And you know perfectly well it wasn’t him.”

“There was no evidence found against him, but that doesn’t make him innocent.” Margaret heaves a loud sigh, irritated. But I remain calm and serene. I know Margaret will do anything to protect her family—I only have to persuade her. I put my politest and calmest voice on. “Look, if you care for your son as I do for my daughter, then convince him to leave Petra alone. That’s all, Margaret. If you do that, we are all good. I can assure you I’ll say nothing.” I take a sip of my tea, smiling triumphantly as I observe her. I can tell she’s taken my request seriously.

But Margaret shakes her head. “I already gave him my blessing and the engagement ring…”

“That’s none of my business. Tell him you changed your mind. Or just tell him the truth. Tell him I’m ready to move forward and expose him, my ex-husband, and more, if necessary. My daughter won’t marry a murderer, an abuser, and a manipulative man like him!”

“Watch your mouth, Tess!”

“Margaret,” I snap assertively. “There are millions of girls in this world—he can pick any one he wants! But not Petra, not my daughter.”

“Very well. Time to talk seriously now.” I smile. Finally. “What do you have against my son that could seriously compromise him? If you show me your game, I will convince him.”

“Now we are talking.”

I stand up, reach into my purse, and take out a file that I hand to Margaret.

She puts her glasses on and attentively examines every single page.

I sit again and pour some more tea in my cup, my expression victorious.

Margaret lets out a sigh. My smile gets wider. She closes the file—looks like she has seen enough. “That’s the only thing you want in exchange for your silence?”

I nod. “That’s all I ask, Margaret. Have I ever said anything before?”

“Not that I’m aware.”

“It’s a simple request. It might be painful at the beginning, but I’m sure your son is rational and smart enough to know what’s at stake.”

Margaret ponders a few more moments. “There is no other way we can negotiate this?”

“The life of my daughter is not negotiable.”





Margaret Van Dieren





On my way back, I’m not happy, to say the least. Tess isn’t bluffing. Those are serious allegations. Enough to feed not only the media—as I know perfectly well there are a couple of reporters out there just waiting for a juicy story about my family—but also for a judicial investigation, lawsuits, and trials. That’s a Pandora’s box I do not want to open. Even the names of Julia and Sebastian Van Den Bosch are on the report! My daughter cannot be involved. Julia needs to know about this.

I have regrettably no good news to bring home. I shake my head. I despise Tess so much. Such an evil creature indeed. No wonder she’s gone into politics. How did she manage to get those documents? Who did she pay to get them?

“She showed me the police reports filed against both of you, along with some photographs, the location of the club, a list of its members…” I inform Roy and Alex when I return. “Julia’s and Sebastian’s names are also in there. She has some women who are ready to testify.”

I hate to bring bad news. The petit salon is the usual room for serious discussions. My dear Alexander is sitting beside me, holding his head in his hands and trying to fathom this nightmare. He probably never thought one day this would come back to haunt him and destroy his happiness. I sigh, my heart bleeding to see him like this.