Chapter 13 - The Person Sitting at Our TableI found Melissa three hours later.

She was at a hotel under police protection.

Cole was with her.

When I entered the room, Cole stood immediately.

“Nathan.”

I looked at him.

“You knew.”

He started crying.

“I didn't know about Mom.”

“You knew about the money.”

“Yes.”

“You knew about the trust.”

“Yes.”

“You knew they were throwing me out.”

He looked down.

“I thought Dad wanted you gone.”

“He did.”

“No.”

Cole shook his head.

“You don't understand.”

“Then explain it.”

He swallowed.

“Mom told Dad the estate could be challenged.”

“What?”

“She said if you were homeless, unstable, or unable to manage the inheritance, the court might intervene.”

My hands tightened.

“She wanted me to look unfit.”

Cole nodded.

“Dad said it was temporary.”

“And my money?”

“Mom took it.”

I looked toward Melissa.

She was silent.

“Why?”

Finally she spoke.

“Because your grandfather left Daniel with nothing.”

“That isn't an answer.”

“He destroyed my family.”

I stared at her.

“What did you expect?”

“I expected you to disappear.”

The room went quiet.

“But you didn't.”

“No.”

I stepped closer.

“You made me sleep in a car.”

She began crying.

“I know.”

“You watched me starve.”

“I know.”

“You stole the only money I had.”

“I know.”

I wanted to hate her.

Maybe I did.

But beneath all the rage was another question.

“Who ordered you?”

She looked at me.

“What?”

“Victor.”

Her face changed.

She shook her head.

“No.”

“Then who?”

She didn't answer.

I slammed my hand onto the table.

“WHO?”

Melissa finally whispered,

“James.”

I froze.

“My grandfather?”

“No.”

She shook her head frantically.

“Not James.”

“Then who?”

She looked at the door.

A man stepped inside.

Gray hair.

Expensive suit.

Calm expression.

I had seen him before.

At my grandfather's funeral.

At the company.

At the board meetings.

Richard Hartwell.

But this time Richard wasn't wearing the expression of my lawyer.

He was carrying a gun.

Cole backed away.

I stared at him.

“Richard?”

He closed the door.

“I was hoping you'd discover it before Victor did.”

“Discover what?”

He sighed.

“Your grandfather didn't trust the police.”

“Why?”

“Because some of them were involved.”

I stared at the gun.

“Were you?”

“No.”

“Then why are you here?”

He looked directly at me.

“Because I was the person who moved your mother before the crash.”

My world stopped.

“What?”

“She didn't die in the accident.”

I couldn't breathe.

Richard continued.

“I extracted her from the vehicle.”

“Then where is she?”

He didn't answer.

My hands shook.

“Where is my mother?”

Richard's eyes filled with tears.

“She survived.”

I felt the room tilt.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“She's alive?”

“Yes.”

“Where?”

He lowered the gun.

“Your grandfather hid her.”

“Why?”

“Because the people who wanted her dead believed she was gone.”

I staggered backward.

“Sixteen years?”

“Yes.”

I could barely process it.

“My whole life…”

“Was built on a lie.”

Then Richard turned toward the window.

“They know you found her.”

“Who?”

He looked at me.

“The people your grandfather spent sixteen years hiding from.”

Outside, black SUVs were pulling into the parking lot.

Too many to count.

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Richard whispered,

“And this time, they're coming for all of you.”