Chapter 11 - The Betrayal Inside the Family
The record concerned Clara's birth.
Isabella had been present.
Margaret had nearly died during delivery.
Charles Mercer had appeared at the hospital.
Isabella helped Margaret escape before he discovered Clara existed.
That was why their lives had remained connected.
Clara found Isabella at the estate.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because every truth I told seemed to create another wound.”
“That isn't your decision.”
Isabella nodded.
“You're right.”
Clara was becoming tired of powerful people learning that lesson decades too late.
Dominic stood beside her but said nothing.
Isabella handed Clara a box.
Inside were letters Margaret had written.
Birthday letters.
One for every year until eighteen.
Clara broke.
Her mother had known she might die.
She had prepared words for a daughter she would never watch grow up.
Dominic sat beside Clara while she read.
He did not touch her until she reached for his hand.
Then he held it.
Nothing more.
Hours later, Clara fell asleep against his shoulder.
When she woke, he was still there.
“You stayed.”
“You asked me to.”
“I didn't.”
“You held my hand.”
She almost smiled.
“That's not legally binding.”
“I have lawyers who might disagree.”
She laughed.
It felt strange.
Good.
Then Liam entered.
His face erased the moment.
“Anthony escaped custody.”
Dominic stood.
“How?”
“Transport ambush.”
“Charles?”
“Still secure.”
“So Anthony had help.”
Isabella went pale.
“There is one person left.”
“Who?”
She looked at Dominic.
“Your father's former consigliere.”
Dominic understood immediately.
“Marcus Vale.”
The man who had managed Russo security when Clara's parents died.
The man who had approved her scholarship.
The man who still had access to every Russo property.
They checked the cameras.
Marcus had entered the estate twenty minutes earlier.
He had not left.
Then the lights went out.
Dominic reached for Clara.
This time she took his hand first.
A voice sounded through the dark hallway.
“Dominic.”
Marcus.
“Bring me Archive 17.”
Dominic moved Clara behind him.
Security emergency lights flickered on.
At the end of the hallway stood Marcus.
May you like
Beside him was Anthony.
And Anthony was holding Isabella at gunpoint.
