Chapter 14 - The Mother Who Came Back From the DeadThe Truth Behind the Two FamiliesAmara couldn't move.
Her mother stared at her.
Tears filled her eyes.
“Amara.”
The name shattered something inside her.
“Mama?”
Her mother took one step forward.
Amara ran into her arms.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Amara pulled away.
“You're alive.”
“Yes.”
“Why did you let me think you were dead?”
Her mother looked at Edward.
“Because he would have killed you.”
Edward was being led away in handcuffs.
His face was expressionless.
Her mother continued.
“I knew the trust would make you a target.”
“But why Daniel?”
She looked at him.
“Because his father was the only man I trusted.”
Daniel stared.
“My father?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did everyone say he was corrupt?”
“Because Edward made sure they did.”
Daniel's eyes filled with anger.
“My whole life…”
“I know.”
His mother touched his hand.
“I wanted to tell you.”
“Then why didn't you?”
“Because you were seventeen.”
She looked down.
“You had already lost your father and believed it was your fault.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
His mother continued.
“Your father fell while protecting me.”
Daniel stared.
“He wasn't trying to hurt you.”
“No.”
“He died because of Edward.”
“Yes.”
Daniel shook his head.
“Then why did you disappear?”
“To protect you.”
She looked at Amara.
“And you.”
Amara frowned.
“Me?”
“Your mother and I planned everything.”
Daniel looked stunned.
“The trust?”
“Yes.”
“The marriage?”
“Yes.”
“Even before we met?”
“Yes.”
Amara stared at her mother.
“You arranged for me to marry him?”
“We arranged for you to meet.”
Amara smiled sadly.
“And the homeless disguise?”
Daniel looked embarrassed.
His mother smiled.
“That was his idea.”
Amara turned toward him.
“You wanted me to meet you as a beggar?”
Daniel nodded.
“Why?”
“I wanted to know whether someone could love me when I had nothing.”
Amara's eyes softened.
“And?”
Daniel looked at her.
“You were cruel.”
She stared.
He smiled.
“You were also the first person who treated me like a human being instead of a fortune.”
Amara laughed through tears.
“You were impossible.”
“I know.”
Her mother stepped back.
“Now the choice is yours.”
“What choice?”
“You can stay married because of the trust.”
Amara looked at Daniel.
“Or you can walk away.”
Daniel immediately said:
“Walk away.”
Amara turned.
“What?”
“I don't want you to stay because of a contract.”
He removed his wedding ring.
“I married you for a reason that no longer matters.”
He placed the ring in her palm.
“The first time I wore this, I thought I was entering a deal.”
He looked into her eyes.
“Now I know I was entering a life.”
Amara's eyes filled with tears.
She took his hand.
“I don't want to walk away.”
Daniel stared.
“Why?”
“Because I fell in love with the man who cooked breakfast.”
A small smile appeared on his face.
“Even when you thought I was homeless?”
“Especially then.”
Daniel laughed.
Then suddenly the doors opened.
Police rushed inside.
The lead detective approached.
“Mrs. Williams.”
“Yes?”
“We have one problem.”
“What?”
“Edward isn't the only person involved.”
Daniel's expression hardened.
“Who else?”
The detective handed Amara a file.
Inside was a photograph.
Kevin.
A bank transfer.
A secret account.
And a note.
Kevin Harrison was working for the real enemy.
Amara's face went pale.
She turned toward Kevin.
He was gone.
His hospital bed had been abandoned.
Daniel stared at the open door.
“He escaped.”
The detective nodded.
“When?”
“Ten minutes ago.”
Daniel looked at Amara.
Kevin had disappeared.
And someone had helped him.
A final message appeared on Daniel's phone.
You found your mother. Congratulations. Now find me.
There was no name.
Only an image.
A man standing in front of Williams Global Holdings.
Daniel recognized him.
May you like
His grandfather.
A man who had supposedly died thirty years ago.
