Chapter 3 - Declan Finally Told Catherine the Truth About Gideon's Birth—and She Realized Their Marriage Had Been Built Around a Lie Meant to Save Her LifeThe truth came out in the old study.
Declan sat beside Catherine.
Gideon listened from the hallway.
Catherine asked:
“Who was Julian to me?”
Declan answered:
“Someone who wanted you dead.”
“Why?”
“Because your father owed him money.”
“My father?”
“Your father was involved in our organization before you met me.”
Catherine closed her eyes.
Her father had always been a businessman.
Or so she thought.
Declan continued.
“He tried to leave.”
“And Julian?”
“He punished him.”
“How?”
“He made your father disappear.”
Catherine stared.
“So my father wasn't dead.”
“No.”
“Where is he?”
Declan looked away.
“He's been in witness protection for years.”
Catherine gasped.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because every attempt to contact him risked exposing you.”
“And Gideon?”
“Julian was Gideon's biological father.”
Catherine swallowed.
“How did that happen?”
“You were captured.”
“What?”
“Your father arranged a meeting.”
“Why?”
“To negotiate.”
“With Julian?”
“Yes.”
“But I wasn't supposed to be there.”
“You weren't.”
Catherine remembered fragments.
A warehouse.
A fight.
A gunshot.
Then nothing.
She had always believed the memory was a dream.
It wasn't.
She had been held captive.
Julian had threatened her.
Then Declan found her.
By the time she was rescued, she was pregnant.
The truth was unbearable.
Catherine stared at Declan.
“You knew.”
“Yes.”
“And you stayed.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I loved you.”
She cried.
“You should have told me.”
“I was afraid you would leave.”
“I nearly did.”
“I know.”
Gideon appeared in the doorway.
“Dad.”
Declan turned.
Gideon stepped into the room.
“Am I a bad person?”
Declan stood.
“No.”
“Because of him?”
“No.”
“Then why does everyone keep acting like I belong to him?”
Declan knelt.
“Because blood doesn't decide who you belong to.”
Gideon stared at him.
“You're my dad.”
Declan's eyes filled.
“Yes.”
The boy hugged him.
Catherine watched.
Something inside her broke and healed at the same time.
Then the mansion lights went out.
Gunfire erupted.
Declan pulled Catherine and Gideon behind the desk.
Security returned fire.
Catherine covered Gideon.
A window shattered.
A bullet struck the wall.
Then silence.
Declan looked at the family.
“You both okay?”
“Yes.”
He stood.
“I need to end this.”
Catherine grabbed his hand.
May you like
“Not alone.”
This time, he didn't argue.
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