Chapter 19: The Duty Of The Heir (Book 3): Chapter 19

Spring City

I sink into the couch in the living room, flanked by Kari and Geneva. Yes, Kari is here as we requested to do so. The coffee table is littered with papers and a laptop.

Geneva clears her throat, her voice heavy with the news she’s holding. ‘Kari, we brought you here tonight because there’s something you need to know.’

Kari’s eyes flick between Geneva and me, confusion written all over her face. ‘Is everything okay?’ she asks, with a hint of worry in her voice.

‘No,’ Geneva’s reply is blunt, and I feel a chill run down my spine.

Kari’s expression crumbles with concern. ‘Did I do something wrong?’

I quickly jump in, ‘No, Kari, it’s not about you.’

She relaxes, just a fraction, but her eyes are still filled with unease. ‘Okay, what’s going on then?’

Geneva takes a deep breath. ‘Aisling is coming to Wesbury soon.’

Kari nods, waiting for more, but Geneva’s next words visibly shake her. ‘We have some really bad news for her.’

Kari’s voice shakes, ‘Something terrible happened?’

Geneva nods solemnly. ‘Yes, and it’s serious.’

I brace myself, feeling the weight of the truth I’m about to reveal. ‘Kari, Duke is having a baby with another woman named Simone.’

The shock on Kari’s face is clear. ‘Duke? A baby?’

‘Yes,’ I confirm, and Geneva picks up, ‘They’re doing IVF. We’ve gathered some information on Simone.’

Kari seems to reel from the impact of the news. ‘Was that what the call was about earlier?’

Geneva nods, her expression grave. ‘She was vague about herself, but she mentioned working at the clinic where the IVF is happening.’

‘Duke Presley?’ Kari can barely believe it.

Geneva hands her some printed photos of Simone from Instagram. Kari’s eyes grow wide as she looks at them.

‘She looks so much like Aisling. Can you see it?’