Chapter 5 - The Girl Who Was Never Daniel Bennett’s Daughter
Nora drove until she ran out of road.
She ended up at a small motel two towns away.
She sat in the parked car for nearly an hour before going inside.
She did not call Julian.
She did not call anyone.
She checked in under a fake name.
The room smelled like bleach and old carpet.
She sat on the bed and finally allowed herself to cry.
Not because she was in danger.
Not because someone had shot at her.
Because Julian had looked at her as though she mattered.
And now she didn't know what that meant.
At two in the morning, there was a knock.
Nora froze.
Another knock.
Then a voice.
“It's me.”
Julian.
She did not answer.
“I know you're there.”
Silence.
“I won't come in.”
Her eyes filled.
“You shouldn't have followed me.”
“I had to make sure you're alive.”
She opened the door.
Julian stood in the hallway alone.
His shoulder was bandaged.
His face looked exhausted.
He held a folder.
“I found something.”
She stepped aside.
He entered but kept his distance.
“Mrs. Kang was right about one thing.”
“That I am not my father's biological daughter?”
“Yes.”
Nora sat.
“Then who am I?”
Julian placed the folder on the table.
“Your mother's name was actually Mira Seo.”
Nora looked up.
“My mother was Korean.”
“Yes.”
“My whole life she was Susan Bennett.”
“That was the identity she used after marrying Daniel.”
Nora opened the folder.
Inside were old photographs.
Her mother.
Julian's grandfather.
Daniel.
And another young woman Nora didn't recognize.
“That woman,” Julian said, “is your biological grandmother.”
Nora stared.
“What?”
“Her name was Hana Kang.”
Nora's eyes widened.
Julian looked away.
“My grandfather had two children.”
“Your father and Daniel.”
“Yes.”
“And Hana?”
“My grandfather's wife.”
Nora's thoughts raced.
“So my grandmother was a Kang.”
“Yes.”
“You're saying I'm part of your family?”
“By blood.”
She stared at him.
“Then why did Daniel adopt me?”
“Because your mother was supposed to inherit something.”
“The account.”
“Yes.”
Nora laughed bitterly.
“This is insane.”
Julian sat across from her.
“Your mother discovered the ledger. She was pregnant and knew people would kill her.”
“She died.”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“The official story was cancer.”
Nora's face went pale.
“What was the real story?”
Julian said nothing.
“Tell me.”
“She was poisoned.”
Nora felt ice spread through her veins.
“By whom?”
“We don't know.”
“You know.”
“We suspect your uncle.”
“Your uncle.”
“Yes.”
“So everyone around me has been lying.”
“Yes.”
“And you.”
“Yes.”
She looked at him.
“Why did you fall in love with me?”
Julian's expression broke.
“I tried not to.”
“That isn't an answer.”
“It started before I knew who you were.”
“When?”
“The night of the auction.”
“You bought my desk.”
“Yes.”
“You stared at me.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“You were arguing with a man who said antique furniture was a hobby.”
Nora blinked.
“What?”
“You told him he couldn't afford your expertise.”
“He was insulting my prices.”
“I know.”
Julian's mouth twitched.
“You made him apologize.”
“He deserved it.”
“That was when I first knew.”
“Knew what?”
“That I wanted you in my life.”
Nora's heart hurt.
“You didn't know I was connected to your family.”
“No.”
“You didn't know I was the heir.”
“No.”
“So when you looked at me…”
“I saw you.”
She closed her eyes.
It would have been easier if he had lied.
Instead, every answer made the truth more painful.
Julian reached across the table.
He stopped before touching her.
“I won't ask you to forgive me tonight.”
“Good.”
“I'll protect you.”
“I don't need a bodyguard.”
“I know.”
“I need answers.”
“You'll have them.”
She looked at the folder.
“What is the inheritance?”
Julian's face became grim.
“Your mother left you control of a trust worth more than two hundred million dollars.”
Nora stared.
“What?”
“Your father hid the assets inside legitimate companies.”
“My workshop?”
“Partly.”
She blinked.
“My workshop?”
“The building is held in your name.”
Nora laughed.
“I thought it was still under my father's estate.”
“It isn't.”
She looked at him.
“What else?”
Julian slid another document toward her.
A company transfer.
A bank certificate.
A sealed letter.
Nora opened the letter.
The handwriting was hers to remember.
Her father's.
Nora,
If you are reading this, then I failed to keep the world away from you.
She began crying before she reached the second paragraph.
You were never an accident. You were the person your mother trusted most. You are not my biological daughter, but you are my daughter in every way that matters.
Her hands shook.
The people who come after you will tell you that power is inherited through blood. They are wrong. Power belongs to the person brave enough to use it differently.
She read the final line.
Trust the man who offers you a choice, not the man who demands obedience.
She looked at Julian.
He didn't speak.
A gunshot cracked through the window.
Julian pulled her to the floor.
Glass exploded.
He covered her body with his.
Nora could feel his heart hammering.
Not the controlled man.
Not the mafia boss.
Just Julian.
A second shot hit the wall.
His phone rang.
He answered.
The caller said one sentence.
“Your uncle has Nora's mother.”
Julian went still.
Nora heard every word.
“What does that mean?” she whispered.
Julian looked at her.
“My mother-in-law may still be alive.”
Nora's eyes widened.
“My mother?”
“No.”
He swallowed.
“Your mother.”
May you like
Nora stopped breathing.
“She may be alive.”
