Chapter 6 - Harlan Finally Told Me Why He Hired Me—And I Discovered My Chance Meeting With Belle Had Been Planned Before I Ever Entered the GarageI confronted him.
“You knew me.”
He didn't answer.
“Harlan.”
He sat down.
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Years.”
I felt betrayed.
“Why?”
“Your father worked for mine.”
“That doesn't explain why you hired me.”
He sighed.
“The night you found Belle wasn't random.”
I froze.
“What?”
“I had security tracking a vehicle.”
“Whose?”
“Victor's.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“Nothing.”
“Then?”
He looked at me.
“The garage was part of an operation.”
“You knew she'd be there.”
“No.”
“But you knew someone would bring her.”
“Yes.”
I felt sick.
“You used me.”
“No.”
“You put me in danger.”
“I didn't know you'd be there.”
“Then how did you know my name?”
He looked at me.
“I didn't.”
“You did.”
“Your mother told me.”
My heart stopped.
“My mother?”
“She contacted me years ago.”
“Why?”
“To protect you.”
I didn't know what to believe.
Then Harlan showed me a file.
My life.
School.
Jobs.
Address.
Medical bills.
Everything.
I felt violated.
“I wasn't spying on you.”
“You knew everything.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Victor knew you were the key.”
I sat.
“What key?”
“The Callaway trust.”
“But I never signed anything.”
“You were born into it.”
I shook my head.
“I don't understand.”
“The trust isn't about money.”
He showed me the agreement.
It transferred legal control of the evidence to me.
I was the guardian.
Belle was the beneficiary.
Harlan was the protector.
My role was essential.
Victor couldn't steal it.
He had to manipulate me.
That was why he had watched me.
That was why he attacked Belle.
That was why he wanted me gone.
I looked at Harlan.
“And you?”
“I wanted to keep both of you alive.”
“You should have told me.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you?”
“I was afraid.”
I stared.
“Of what?”
“Of losing you before I could explain.”
Silence.
He stepped closer.
“I love you.”
I couldn't breathe.
“You don't even know me.”
“I know you stopped for my daughter when everyone else walked past.”
He touched my hand.
“I know you gave her your coat.”
“I know you refuse my money.”
He smiled.
“I know you make Belle laugh.”
I looked away.
“I love you too.”
He kissed me.
Then the alarm sounded.
Again.
Victor had breached the estate.
This time, he had one target.
Belle.
We moved.
Security failed.
Doors locked.
Lights cut.
Smoke filled the hall.
Victor found Belle.
But Belle wasn't afraid.
She pointed toward him.
“You're the bad man.”
He froze.
She smiled.
Then ran.
I caught her.
Victor escaped.
But he left a bomb.
We barely got out.
The mansion burned.
Everything was destroyed.
Harlan looked at the ashes.
His entire childhood.
His father's legacy.
Gone.
Belle held my hand.
“We still have each other.”
He looked at her.
Then me.
May you like
And smiled.
“Yes.”
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