Chapter 4 - Catherine Refused to Run From the Mafia War, and Her Decision Forced Her Three Sons to Choose Which Family They Truly WantedThe boys were moved to a secure property.
Tristan wanted to fight.
Rowan wanted answers.
Gideon wanted only one thing.
His family together.
Catherine sat with all three.
“I know things have been frightening.”
Tristan spoke first.
“Dad has lied to us.”
“He lied to protect you.”
“That doesn't make it okay.”
“No.”
Catherine looked at each son.
“Your father made mistakes.”
Rowan asked:
“Is Gideon really Julian's son?”
“Yes.”
Tristan looked at his little brother.
“That doesn't change anything.”
Gideon stared.
“What?”
“You're my brother.”
Rowan nodded.
“Always.”
Gideon began crying.
Catherine hugged all three.
For the first time, she realized the secret had not divided them.
It had made them understand one another.
Declan returned that evening.
His face was grim.
“Julian wants a meeting.”
“Where?”
“Old Sutter warehouse.”
Catherine shook her head.
“No.”
Declan looked at her.
“I have to go.”
“You don't.”
“What?”
She stepped closer.
“For seventeen years, you've decided what I could handle.”
“Catherine—”
“I'm done.”
She looked directly at him.
“You don't protect me by locking me behind walls.”
His expression softened.
“I just don't want to lose you.”
“Then stop treating me like something you can put in a vault.”
Declan took a breath.
“Okay.”
That one word changed their marriage.
They faced Julian together.
The warehouse was dark.
Julian stood in the center.
He looked at Catherine.
“You stole my son.”
Catherine answered:
“No.”
“He is mine.”
“No.”
“He carries my blood.”
“So what?”
Julian laughed.
“You don't understand.”
Catherine stepped closer.
“He has a father.”
Julian's eyes shifted toward Declan.
“You?”
Declan nodded.
“I raised him.”
Julian's expression changed.
“You have no right.”
Catherine answered:
“He has chosen.”
Julian smiled.
“You think children understand loyalty?”
Gideon stepped from behind his parents.
“I do.”
Everyone froze.
Julian stared.
Gideon looked directly at him.
“You scare people because they think you're powerful.”
Julian smiled.
“You're brave.”
“No.”
Gideon shook his head.
“I'm tired.”
Something about that answer silenced the room.
Gideon continued.
“I've spent years being afraid someone would take Mom.”
Julian's eyes narrowed.
“But you're not taking her.”
Declan looked at his son with pride.
Then the lights came on.
Police.
Federal agents.
The entire operation had been recorded.
Julian was arrested.
But before being taken away, he smiled.
“You haven't seen the whole truth.”
Catherine frowned.
“What truth?”
Julian looked at Declan.
“Ask him who ordered your father's disappearance.”
Declan went pale.
Julian was taken away.
Catherine turned.
“Who?”
May you like
Declan whispered one name.
“Your mother.”
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