Chapter 8 - THE OTHER HEIRJulian could barely hear the world around him.
“You’re telling me I have a brother?”
Claire nodded.
“His name is Adrian.”
“Where is he?”
“Marcus found him first.”
Julian felt the pieces lock together.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because Adrian was supposed to stay hidden.”
“Hidden from whom?”
“Everyone.”
They returned to the estate.
Cassandra was treated by a private doctor.
Thomas remained unconscious.
Julian locked the entire property down.
For the first time in decades, no one entered or exited without his approval.
Then Cassandra told him the truth.
She had been investigating Marcus for years.
Marcus had built a second organization outside the DeLuca family.
Adrian had discovered it.
That was why Marcus wanted him dead.
But Adrian escaped.
“He’s alive?” Julian asked.
“Yes.”
“Where?”
Cassandra shook her head.
“I don’t know.”
Then Lily’s security camera activated.
Everyone turned.
The screen showed Marcus.
He was sitting beside Lily.
She was holding a stuffed rabbit.
Julian went cold.
Marcus smiled.
“Hello, nephew.”
Julian stepped toward the screen.
“Let her go.”
“Eventually.”
“What do you want?”
Marcus held up a file.
“The succession documents.”
“I have them.”
“Good.”
Julian frowned.
“You said you wanted Claire’s evidence.”
“I lied.”
“Then what?”
“The blood test.”
Julian’s face changed.
“What blood test?”
Marcus smiled.
“The one proving whether Lily is really your daughter.”
Julian froze.
Lily’s voice could be heard faintly.
“Daddy?”
Julian’s heart cracked.
Marcus leaned closer to the camera.
“You see, Julian, your greatest weakness has always been believing people when they tell you who you are.”
The screen went black.
Claire walked toward Julian.
“There’s something I never told you.”
He looked at her.
She began crying.
“When Lily was born, the doctor said something was wrong.”
“What?”
“She had a rare blood condition.”
Julian waited.
Claire whispered:
“It doesn’t match yours.”
Silence.
Julian stepped backward.
“No.”
“I never wanted you to know until I was certain.”
“Are you saying Lily isn’t my daughter?”
Claire shook her head.
“I’m saying I don’t know.”
Everything Julian had fought for suddenly became uncertain.
The dance.
The photograph.
The documents.
The bloodline.
Marcus wanted a blood test.
But why?
Then the front door opened.
Adrian stood there.
Julian turned.
He saw his own eyes staring back at him.
But Adrian looked terrified.
“I’m your brother,” he said.
May you like
Then he lifted a gun.
“And we have about five minutes before Marcus kills everyone in this house.”
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