Chapter 17: The Name Hidden In The Shadows
Nobody moved.
The words stayed in the air.
Your real father’s killer.
I looked at Marcus.
“Who?””
He looked away.
“Daniel…”
“No.””
My voice was shaking.
“No more protecting people.””
Marcus nodded slowly.
“You’re right.””
For once, he didn’t argue.
He sat down.
“I was young when it happened.””
“You were there?””
“Yes.””
My mother closed her eyes.
“I tried to stop it.””
I looked between them.
“Stop what?””
Marcus took a deep breath.
“The night your parents died.””
The room became unbearable.
“Tell me.””
He looked at the floor.
“Your biological father discovered someone was stealing from the family company.””
“The same company?””
“Yes.””
“The inheritance?””
Marcus nodded.
“Your father found evidence.””
I looked at Adrian.
“And he killed him?””
Adrian didn’t react.
That scared me more.
Marcus continued.
“Your father was going to expose everyone.””
“Everyone?””
“Yes.””
He looked at Adrian.
“And someone else.””
My stomach tightened.
“Who?””
Marcus hesitated.
Then said:
“Your grandfather.””
Silence.
Even Adrian looked surprised.
“What?””
Marcus looked at him.
“You think you were the mastermind?””
Adrian’s face darkened.
“You’re lying.””
“No.””
Marcus stood.
“I spent years believing I was protecting this family.””
He looked at me.
“But I was protecting a monster.””
My mother covered her mouth.
“You knew?””
Marcus shook his head.
“Not everything.””
He looked at Adrian.
“But I know he wasn’t acting alone.””
Adrian stepped forward.
“You have no proof.””
Marcus smiled sadly.
“Actually, I do.””
He reached into his jacket.
And pulled out a small envelope.
My heart stopped.
Another secret.
Another hidden piece.
Inside was a photograph.
A man standing beside Adrian.
A man I had seen before.
But not in my memories.
In my family albums.
My grandfather.
The same man everyone said was a respected businessman.
The same man who built the empire.
The same man whose inheritance caused all of this.
“He knew,” Marcus said.
My mother whispered:
“No…”
“He knew Daniel existed.””
Adrian’s expression changed.
“My father wanted control.””
Marcus nodded.
“He believed the inheritance should never go to an outsider.””
I stared at the photograph.
“Outsider?””
My mother took my hand.
“You were never an outsider.””
But Adrian shook his head.
“That’s what your mother wanted you to believe.””
I turned toward him.
“Why?””
“Because she couldn’t accept reality.””
“What reality?””
He looked at me.
“You were the son of strangers.””
I stepped closer.
“And?””
“And my father believed blood was everything.””
My anger exploded.
“Blood?””
I pointed at my mother.
“She raised me.””
I pointed at Marcus.
“He was my father.””
I looked at Adrian.
“You don’t get to tell me what family is.””
For the first time, Adrian looked uncertain.
Then the police sirens returned.
Everyone froze.
Richard looked outside.
“That’s not the police.””
A black car stopped in front of the house.
Then another.
Marcus’s face changed.
“No.””
“What?””
He looked terrified.
“They found us.””
“Who?””
He didn’t answer.
The front door opened.
A woman stepped inside.
Elegant.
Calm.
Older.
She looked directly at Adrian.
Then at me.
And smiled.
“Finally.””
My blood ran cold.
“Who are you?””
She walked closer.
“My name is Clara Miller.””
The room froze.
My mother grabbed my hand.
“No.””
Clara smiled.
“Yes.””
She looked at me.
“I’m your biological mother.””
Everything stopped.
I looked at Elena.
Then Clara.
“No.””
Clara tilted her head.
“Ask Elena.””
I turned.
My mother looked devastated.
Because she knew.
“Mom?””
Elena closed her eyes.
May you like
And whispered:
“I’m sorry.””
