Chapter 8 - Nathan recognized Arthur immediately.Not because of the photographs.
Because he had spent his entire childhood calling him Uncle Arthur.
Arthur looked older than Nathan remembered.
But his smile was unchanged.
“You,” Nathan whispered.
Arthur stepped inside.
“Maggie.”
She moved in front of Nathan.
Arthur sighed.
“You've caused twelve years of trouble.”
“You caused the trouble,” Maggie said.
Arthur's eyes narrowed.
“Thomas should have stayed quiet.”
Nathan stepped forward.
“You killed him.”
Arthur looked at him.
“Yes.”
Nathan's face hardened.
“Why?”
“Because he found the book.”
“What was in it?”
“The truth.”
Arthur smiled.
“And truth is dangerous when people with power believe they deserve to keep it.”
Nathan raised his gun.
“Tell me who my real father is.”
Arthur looked almost amused.
“Thomas.”
“I know.”
“No.”
Arthur shook his head.
“You know what Marcus wanted you to believe.”
Nathan's expression changed.
Arthur pointed toward the photograph.
“Your father was not Thomas.”
“Then who?”
Arthur smiled.
“Your father was me.”
Nathan froze.
Maggie whispered,
“No.”
Arthur continued.
“Your mother came to me before she married Marcus.”
Nathan stared at him.
“She was afraid of what I was becoming.”
“Then why did she have a child with you?”
“She didn't.”
Arthur's voice softened.
“She was forced.”
Nathan felt sick.
Maggie stepped forward.
“Enough.”
Arthur ignored her.
“Your mother was part of the organization before Marcus met her. She knew the rules.”
“What rules?”
“That bloodlines mattered.”
Nathan's face tightened.
Arthur smiled.
“I was supposed to inherit everything.”
“Then why did Marcus become chairman?”
“Because he was chosen.”
“By whom?”
Arthur's expression changed.
“Your mother.”
Silence.
Nathan stared.
“She chose Marcus because she knew I would destroy the company.”
Arthur walked closer.
“Marcus tried to save everyone.”
He looked at Maggie.
“Thomas tried to expose everyone.”
Then he looked at Nathan.
“And you?”
Arthur smiled.
“You were the insurance policy.”
Nathan lowered the gun slightly.
“What does that mean?”
“Marcus adopted you and named you his heir.”
Arthur's eyes hardened.
“Because if the organization ever needed a successor, they'd choose you.”
Nathan shook his head.
“I don't want any of this.”
Arthur laughed.
“You never had a choice.”
Maggie suddenly threw the brass key.
Arthur instinctively turned.
Nathan fired.
The bullet struck Arthur's shoulder.
He stumbled.
Maggie grabbed Nathan.
“Run.”
They escaped through a side corridor.
Behind them, Arthur shouted.
“This doesn't end tonight!”
They ran into the old cemetery behind the church.
Nathan collapsed beside a stone wall.
Maggie sat beside him.
They were both breathing hard.
Nathan stared at his hands.
“How many lies are left?”
Maggie looked at him.
“One.”
“What?”
“The biggest one.”
She reached into her pocket.
She handed him a sealed envelope.
It had his name on it.
Nathan's hands trembled.
“What's inside?”
“Your mother's final letter.”
Nathan opened it.
The first line made him stop.
Nathan, if you're reading this, then Marcus is dead and Arthur has found you.
He continued.
You were never meant to be my son.
Nathan's heart pounded.
The next line was worse.
You were meant to replace Marcus.
Nathan's eyes moved faster.
Then he reached the final paragraph.
But there is one person who can prove everything.
Nathan read the name.
His face went pale.
Maggie watched him.
“Who?”
Nathan slowly looked up.
“My mother.”
Maggie said nothing.
“She didn't die.”
May you like
Nathan whispered,
“She has been alive this entire time.”
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