Chapter 6 - The Offer That Had Nothing To Do With Money
Khloe spent the next year rebuilding her life.
She left Dominic's office.
Not his life.
There was a difference.
Her new company operated from a renovated building near the Chicago River.
She named it Henderson Events.
Dominic refused to put his name anywhere.
"It belongs to you."
She hired three employees.
Then six.
Then twelve.
She organized charity galas, hospital fundraisers, children's programs, and community events.
Her work became successful.
But success brought attention.
Some people believed she had been given everything.
Others whispered she was using Dominic.
Khloe ignored them.
Then one morning, a package arrived.
No return address.
Inside was a photograph of her mother.
Alive.
Khloe froze.
On the back were six words.
SHE DIDN'T DIE WHEN YOU THOUGHT SHE DID.
Dominic arrived ten minutes later.
He saw her face.
"What happened?"
She handed him the photograph.
He stared.
"Who sent this?"
"I don't know."
"Where was it taken?"
"Somewhere in Europe."
Dominic looked at the date.
Three years after her mother's supposed death.
Khloe's hands shook.
"She lied."
"Or someone forged this."
"I need to know."
Dominic nodded.
"We find out."
They followed the trail to Lisbon.
Khloe's mother was alive.
Her name was Catherine Henderson.
She had been living under another identity.
When Khloe saw her, she didn't hug her.
She stood in the doorway.
"You left me."
Catherine cried.
"I protected you."
"I don't want that answer anymore."
Her mother nodded.
"You deserve the truth."
She revealed the final secret.
Marcus Moretti had not been Khloe's father.
He was her stepfather.
Her biological father was someone else.
Dominic.
She looked at him.
He shook his head.
"No."
Catherine smiled sadly.
"Not you."
She handed Khloe a photograph.
A young federal investigator.
Ethan Castile.
Dominic's older half-brother.
Khloe stared.
"What?"
"Ethan was your father."
Dominic went still.
"My brother?"
Catherine nodded.
"Ethan was investigating Adrian."
He had been killed protecting Catherine.
The entire family had been tangled together for decades.
Khloe felt overwhelmed.
"I don't know who I am anymore."
Dominic took her hand.
"You're Khloe."
"That's not enough."
"It is to me."
She looked up.
He continued.
"You aren't your father's sins."
"You aren't your mother's fear."
"You aren't Adrian's target."
"You are yourself."
She cried.
And for the first time, she hugged him.
He held her without hesitation.
That night, they sat by the water.
Khloe asked:
"When did you fall in love with me?"
Dominic looked uncomfortable.
"You noticed?"
"Of course."
He smiled.
"The first night."
"When I was terrified?"
"Especially then."
She laughed.
"You have terrible taste."
"I know."
He kissed her.
Their relationship became public slowly.
No dramatic announcement.
No magazine cover.
Just dinners.
Walks.
Sunday breakfasts with Rose.
Trips with Elena.
Holiday gatherings.
For the first time, Dominic's family looked like a family.
Then came one final threat.
A court document.
Adrian claimed the Castile empire had been built illegally and that Dominic had no lawful right to control the legitimate companies.
If he won, everything would be frozen.
Dominic could lose everything.
He came home one night exhausted.
Khloe found him sitting at the kitchen table.
"You haven't eaten."
"I'm not hungry."
"You're worried."
"Yes."
"Tell me."
"I don't know if I can protect this company."
Khloe sat across from him.
"You don't have to."
He looked at her.
"What?"
"You don't need to protect everything."
"You don't understand."
"I do."
She placed a folder in front of him.
"What is that?"
"The files from my mother's safety deposit box."
He opened them.
Bank records.
Ownership transfers.
Signed contracts.
Proof that Adrian had forged company documents.
Khloe looked at him.
"He doesn't own anything."
Dominic stared.
"Where did you get this?"
"My mother."
A slow smile appeared.
"You're unbelievable."
"I've been told."
He stood.
Pulled her into his arms.
"I love you."
May you like
She smiled against his chest.
"I know."
