Chapter 11: The Brother Who Wanted Revenge
Daniel Carter walked into my father’s house like he owned it.
That alone told me everything.
He wasn’t afraid.
Not of the security guards.
Not of my father.
Not of the attorneys standing nearby.
He believed he had already won.
My father stepped between us.
“You’re not welcome here.””
Daniel smiled.
“Neither was I thirty years ago.””
“Leave.””
“You always did that.””
My father’s expression hardened.
“Did what?””
“Pretended you were the victim.””
The tension in the room became unbearable.
I looked at Brandon.
He stood near the doorway, frozen.
Seeing Daniel seemed to hurt him more than seeing me.
“You lied to me,” Brandon said.
Daniel looked at him.
“Brandon.””
“Don’t say my name like you care.””
A small smile crossed Daniel’s face.
“I do care.””
“You made me hate them.””
“I showed you the truth.””
“No.””
Brandon stepped forward.
“You showed me what you wanted me to believe.””
Daniel’s smile disappeared.
For the first time, irritation appeared on his face.
“You’re emotional.””
“No.””
Brandon shook his head.
“I’m finally thinking clearly.””
I watched the exchange.
This was the man who destroyed my marriage.
The man who manipulated everyone.
Yet somehow, he looked disappointed.
Like Brandon had failed him.
Daniel turned toward me.
“You must hate me.””
I didn’t answer.
He continued.
“I understand.””
“You destroyed my life.””
He nodded.
“I did.””
The admission surprised me.
“You admit it?””
“Yes.””
My father looked disgusted.
“Then why are you here?””
Daniel looked around the room.
“Because I wanted Emily to hear the truth.””
I laughed bitterly.
“From you?””
“Yes.””
“Why would I believe you?””
“Because everyone else has lied.””
The words hit harder because there was some truth in them.
My father looked away.
Daniel noticed.
“Ask him.””
I looked at my father.
“About what?””
“Ask him why Claire Carter disappeared.””
My father’s jaw tightened.
“Daniel.””
“No.””
Daniel stepped closer.
“Tell her.””
I stared at my father.
“Dad?””
He remained silent.
Daniel smiled.
“Exactly.””
I felt betrayed all over again.
“Why won’t you answer?””
My father finally spoke.
“Because I made a promise.””
“To who?””
“Claire.””
Daniel laughed.
“A promise?””
He shook his head.
“She needed help, and you abandoned her.””
My father’s voice changed.
“That is not what happened.””
“Then tell the story.””
Nobody moved.
My father looked at me.
“Claire came to me after she discovered the fraud.””
“And?””
“She wanted to expose everyone involved.””
“Why didn’t she?””
“Because someone threatened her son.””
Brandon froze.
“My mother?””
My father nodded.
“Daniel threatened to hurt you if she spoke.””
Daniel’s face went cold.
“That’s a lie.””
Rebecca stepped forward.
“No.””
Everyone looked at her.
“I was there.””
Daniel’s expression changed.
Rebecca continued.
“Claire told me everything.””
Daniel stared at her.
“You should have stayed hidden.””
She smiled sadly.
“And you should have stopped hurting innocent people.””
The room fell silent.
I looked at Daniel.
“Why?””
He looked at me.
“Why what?””
“Why destroy Brandon?””
His expression softened slightly.
“Because Brandon was never supposed to be happy.””
My stomach twisted.
“What?””
“He was supposed to know what it felt like to lose everything.””
Brandon looked horrified.
“You used me.””
Daniel didn’t deny it.
“Yes.””
“You made me marry Emily.””
“Yes.””
“You sent Vanessa.””
“Yes.””
The honesty was terrifying.
I felt anger rising.
“You ruined my life.””
Daniel looked at me.
“No.””
He shook his head.
“Your husband ruined your life.””
Brandon looked down.
Because he knew it was true.
Daniel continued.
“But I gave you the chance to see who he really was.””
“That doesn’t justify anything.””
“No.””
He looked at me.
“It doesn’t.””
For the first time, Daniel looked almost human.
Almost regretful.
Then his expression changed.
“I didn’t come here to apologize.””
My father stepped forward.
“Then why?””
Daniel pulled a folder from his coat.
“Because I found something.””
He placed it on the table.
Something inside made my father go completely still.
“What is that?””
Daniel looked at me.
“The original trust agreement.””
I frowned.
“What about it?””
He opened the folder.
“The document that proves your family never legally owned Williams Capital.””
Nobody spoke.
My father grabbed the papers.
His face changed.
Impossible.
Daniel smiled.
“And that means everything you thought you inherited…”
May you like
He looked at me.
“…may have belonged to someone else all along.””
