Chapter 4 - The Truth Beneath the Snow
Damian took Meline to a lake house outside the city.
It belonged to his mother.
He had never lived there.
He had never allowed anyone inside.
Meline entered cautiously.
There were photographs everywhere.
Damian as a child.
His mother smiling.
A baby in her arms.
Meline stopped.
The baby had the same small crescent-shaped mark on her wrist.
Damian stood beside her.
“That was me.”
Meline looked at the picture.
“And who was the baby?”
“My sister.”
She stared.
“Me.”
He nodded.
They sat together on the floor.
For the first time, Damian looked less like the ruthless owner of a criminal empire.
He looked like a man who had just discovered twenty years of his life were based on a lie.
“I thought I was an only child,” he said.
“I thought I was too.”
“My father never mentioned you.”
“My mother never mentioned you.”
“Someone wanted us separated.”
“Why?”
Damian opened a wooden chest.
Inside were documents.
Marriage certificates.
Birth records.
Bank records.
And one letter from his mother.
My son, if you ever find this, know that I did everything to keep your sister alive.
Damian handed it to Meline.
She read silently.
Your father wants only one heir. But power creates enemies. The Sullivans believe Meline's existence threatens their agreement with Victor. They will use her if they find her. I cannot let that happen.
Meline cried.
“She protected me.”
“Yes.”
“And you never knew.”
“No.”
Damian looked at her.
“I spent twenty years believing she abandoned me emotionally because she became distant after you disappeared.”
Meline whispered,
“She didn't abandon you.”
“I know.”
He looked down.
“I wish I had known.”
She placed a hand on his shoulder.
“So do I.”
The moment was interrupted by a phone ringing.
Vincent.
“Damian.”
“Talk.”
“We found your father's old accountant.”
“Alive?”
“For now.”
“Where?”
“He wants to meet.”
“Send the location.”
A pause.
“He asked for Meline.”
Damian's expression changed.
“No.”
“He says he has proof.”
Meline looked at him.
“I want to go.”
Damian shook his head.
“Absolutely not.”
“I need answers.”
“You're not bait.”
“I've been bait my entire life.”
That silenced him.
She continued.
“I want to know why my mother had to hide me.”
Damian studied her.
Finally, he nodded.
They met the accountant at an abandoned church.
An old man waited in the basement.
His name was Harold Reed.
He carried a sealed envelope.
“I knew your mother,” he told Meline.
“How?”
“She saved my life.”
“What happened to her?”
“She found out Victor Russo and Samuel Sullivan were planning something.”
“What?”
“A merger.”
Meline frowned.
“A merger?”
“The two families intended to combine their businesses.”
Damian's eyes narrowed.
“And the war?”
“Was fake.”
Silence.
“What?”
Harold nodded.
“The war was manufactured to hide the real transaction.”
Vincent stared.
“By whom?”
“Victor.”
“Why?”
“To eliminate anyone who opposed him.”
Harold opened the envelope.
Inside was a financial ledger.
Names.
Payments.
Deaths.
And one shocking entry.
Meline's mother.
Payment authorized.
Recipient: Samuel Sullivan.
Reason: SILENCE.
Meline felt sick.
“My mother was murdered.”
Harold nodded.
“Yes.”
“By the Sullivans?”
“No.”
He looked at Damian.
“By your father.”
Damian's face became stone.
Meline reached for his hand.
Harold continued.
“She knew about the twins. She knew Victor planned to kill Damian eventually and blame the Sullivans.”
“Why would he kill his own son?”
“Because Victor believed children were replaceable.”
Damian closed his eyes.
Harold whispered the final truth.
“Your father planned to make Elias the next heir.”
Meline looked up.
“My brother?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
Harold looked at Damian.
“Your father's other son.”
Silence.
Meline felt her pulse stop.
Damian stared.
“I don't have another brother.”
Harold looked toward the door.
“Yes, you do.”
The door opened.
A man stepped inside.
Damian raised his weapon.
The man smiled.
“I've been waiting twenty years to meet my sister.”
Meline's blood turned cold.
May you like
The man looked at Damian.
“Hello, brother.”
