Chapter 4 - The Woman I Married Had Been Connected to the Enemy Since Childhood
Emma didn't sleep that night.
Neither did I.
The photograph lay between us on the table.
“I don't remember him,” she whispered.
“I believe you.”
“But someone wants you to think I'm involved.”
“I know.”
The next morning, I took the photograph to an old family archivist.
He examined it for nearly an hour.
Then he looked at me.
“This was taken at the Bellmont Foundation.”
“What year?”
“Twenty-five years ago.”
“Why was my wife there?”
He looked at Emma.
“Because her father was one of the foundation's legal advisers.”
Emma froze.
“My father?”
“Yes.”
She had never known.
Her father had died when she was six.
The archivist showed us an old article.
Emma's father had worked for Sebastian Vale's father.
The connection was undeniable.
But it didn't prove anything.
Then we discovered another name.
Margaret Rivers.
My mother.
The four families had crossed paths for decades.
My father.
My mother.
Emma's parents.
Sebastian's parents.
The entire empire had been built on relationships none of us understood.
That afternoon, I confronted my mother again.
She finally told me the truth.
Years ago, my father planned to leave the criminal world.
He wanted to turn the organization into legitimate businesses.
Sebastian opposed him.
Victor supported Sebastian.
Emma's father discovered their plan and tried to warn my father.
He was killed.
Emma's mother disappeared soon after.
Emma had been sent away to live with relatives.
“Why didn't anyone tell her?” I asked.
“Because Sebastian wanted her found.”
“Why?”
“Because her father had given your father the key to the Black Ledger.”
I looked at Emma.
She began to cry.
“I didn't know.”
My mother nodded.
“You were six.”
“Where is the key?”
My mother looked at me.
“You have it.”
I frowned.
“No.”
“You've had it since your wedding.”
I stared at Emma.
Her wedding necklace.
The one passed down from her mother.
A small silver pendant.
We examined it.
There was a hidden compartment.
Inside was a tiny key.
Emma covered her mouth.
My father had hidden the final piece with the woman I loved.
Sebastian had been searching for her without knowing what she carried.
And my family had nearly delivered her to him.
I looked at my mother.
“Did you know Emma had it?”
“Yes.”
My blood ran cold.
“You knew?”
“I knew the pendant existed.”
“And you still treated her like this?”
My mother began crying.
“I was afraid.”
“You let fear turn you cruel.”
She had no answer.
Then we heard footsteps.
Jennifer entered.
She looked nervous.
“Daniel.”
“What?”
“I need to tell you something.”
I waited.
She whispered, “Michael sold Emma's location.”
I turned.
“To whom?”
“Victor.”
My voice dropped.
“Why?”
“Because he promised to protect us.”
“From what?”
“Sebastian.”
I laughed once.
“You sold the woman you called family to protect yourself.”
Jennifer cried.
“I didn't know what else to do.”
I turned away.
“Get out.”
“Daniel—”
“Get out.”
She left.
That evening, Sebastian called.
“You found the key.”
I didn't answer.
He laughed.
“You always were like your father.”
“What do you want?”
“The ledger.”
“You'll never get it.”
“I don't need it.”
“What then?”
“I need Emma.”
My body went still.
“Why?”
“She belongs to a story that began before you were born.”
“She belongs to herself.”
Sebastian's voice hardened.
“You don't understand.”
“Then explain.”
“She was promised to me.”
I nearly laughed.
“You're insane.”
“No.”
His voice became almost cold.
“She was part of an agreement between our families.”
I looked at Emma.
“She was six.”
“That wasn't the arrangement.”
“You are not taking my wife.”
“You'll see.”
The call ended.
Ten minutes later, the alarm system screamed.
A side gate had been breached.
Thomas ran in.
“Boss!”
“What happened?”
“Jennifer is gone.”
I looked at Emma.
Her face drained of color.
Then another message arrived.
I told you.
He had taken my sister.
Now I had to choose between saving Jennifer and keeping Emma safe.
But Sebastian had made one mistake.
May you like
He had assumed I was still the man who trusted his family blindly.
I wasn't.
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