Chapter 2: The Family He Stole
Adrian stared at Marcus as if he'd spoken another language.
“Our sister?”” he repeated.
Julian stepped forward.
“Yes.””
Vanessa looked between the three men and me.
Then she laughed nervously.
“This is ridiculous.””
Caleb didn't smile.
He looked at the red mark forming around my wrist.
“Is that ridiculous too?””
Vanessa's expression changed.
Adrian finally released me.
I pulled my hand against my chest.
Marcus moved immediately, placing himself between me and my husband.
“Are you hurt?”” he asked.
I couldn't answer.
My throat had closed.
Marcus looked at my cheek.
“Did he hit you?””
I nodded.
Adrian scoffed.
“Oh, come on. She provoked—”
Julian turned toward him.
“Finish that sentence.””
Adrian stopped.
Julian's voice was quiet.
That made it worse.
“You have one chance to explain why you put your hands on her.””
Adrian straightened his jacket.
“This is a private marital dispute.””
Caleb gave a humorless laugh.
“Then why did you have three hundred witnesses?””
Someone near the stage whispered, “That's her family?””
Another voice answered, “I thought she was an only child.””
I closed my eyes.
Eight years.
Eight years of believing the people I loved had chosen to disappear.
Adrian had made sure of it.
When my mother sent birthday invitations, Adrian intercepted them.
When my father called our home, Adrian answered.
When Marcus mailed me a letter after my grandmother died, Adrian burned it in our kitchen sink.
He told me my family wanted money.
He told me Marcus had always resented him.
He told me Julian thought I was weak.
He told me Caleb had said I would never amount to anything.
I had believed every word.
Because Adrian had repeated them until they sounded like memories.
Marcus reached for my hand.
I flinched.
He stopped immediately.
“I'm sorry,” he said softly.
“I should have gotten to you sooner.””
Adrian laughed.
“This is your brother?””
Marcus looked at him.
“You remember me?””
“No.””
“You should.””
Adrian's expression shifted.
Marcus pulled a folded document from inside his jacket.
“I met you once.””
He held up the paper.
“Eight years ago.””
Adrian stared at it.
Julian spoke.
“The night you married her.””
My heart pounded.
Adrian looked at me.
“You told me they hated me.””
“I know.””
“You said they weren't coming to the wedding.””
“I know.””
Marcus's jaw tightened.
“We were there.””
Adrian went pale.
Marcus continued.
“Your security team wouldn't let us inside.””
Julian added, “We stood across the street for forty-seven minutes.””
Caleb looked at me.
“And then she walked out of the church with you.””
My eyes filled.
I remembered that day.
The white dress.
The rain.
Adrian telling me afterward that my family had refused to attend.
I'd cried for hours.
He had held me and whispered, They don't love you the way I do.
I had never questioned it.
Until tonight.
Vanessa suddenly stepped forward.
“This is all very dramatic, but none of you were here for the argument.””
Caleb turned toward her.
“We were here.””
She blinked.
“For what?””
“For the moment he hit her.””
A camera flashed.
Then another.
Adrian's face reddened.
“Put your phones down!””
Nobody moved.
Marcus looked at the crowd.
“Don't.””
One word.
The phones stayed up.
Adrian grabbed my elbow.
Marcus moved instantly.
“Don't touch her.””
Adrian stopped.
Then his eyes narrowed.
“You have no idea who you're dealing with.””
Julian smiled without warmth.
“Actually, Adrian…”
He leaned closer.
“We know exactly who we're dealing with.””
Caleb pulled out his phone.
“That's why we brought someone else.””
My stomach dropped.
“Someone else?””
Caleb looked toward the ballroom entrance.
The doors opened.
A man in a dark suit stepped inside carrying a leather folder.
Adrian stared at him.
Then the color drained from his face.
May you like
Because apparently, he knew that man.
And whatever was inside that folder had been waiting eight years to come home.
