Chapter 6 - THE DAUGHTER WHO CAME HOME
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Chloe stood in the hallway.
Three years old.
Bare feet.
Lavender pajamas.
Worn teddy bear.
She looked at me.
“Daddy?”
I couldn't breathe.
I dropped to my knees.
“Yes.”
She ran into my arms.
I held her so tightly she laughed.
“I missed you.”
I closed my eyes.
“I never knew you existed.”
“Mommy said you would come.”
I looked at Sophie.
She was crying.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“I couldn't.”
“Why?”
“Because Victoria knew where she was.”
I held Chloe.
Then Lily's photograph caught my attention.
“Where is Lily?”
Sophie answered:
“She is safe.”
“Where?”
“With your mother.”
I stared.
“My mother has both girls?”
“Yes.”
“Then why bring Chloe here?”
“Because the trust needs all three heirs.”
“Three?”
“You.”
“Lily.”
“Chloe.”
I understood.
My father had designed a family trust around the children.
But the legal documents required three signatures.
Mine.
Lily's guardian.
Chloe's legal representative.
Victoria had spent years trying to eliminate them.
Derek had been her weapon.
Victor had been her lawyer.
Luca had been manipulated.
The entire operation had been built to control three children.
Then the front door exploded.
Security shouted.
Gunfire.
I moved Chloe behind me.
Marcus raised his weapon.
“Boss!”
The lights went out.
Someone grabbed me from behind.
I fought.
Then recognized the voice.
Luca.
“It's me.”
I stared.
“You're working with Victor.”
“No.”
He was bleeding.
“I followed him.”
“Why?”
“Because he tried to kill me.”
He handed me a phone.
“Watch.”
The screen showed Victor meeting Victoria.
Derek stood beside them.
All three.
Victoria said:
“Once Marco signs, the trust is ours.”
Victor answered:
“He won't sign.”
Derek laughed.
“Then take the children.”
The recording ended.
I stared.
Luca looked at me.
“I'm sorry.”
“For what?”
“For believing them.”
I nodded.
“We don't have time.”
We moved toward the underground garage.
But someone was already waiting.
Victoria.
She stood beneath the headlights.
Holding Lily.
My daughter looked older.
Healthy.
Alive.
My heart broke.
“Lily.”
She smiled.
“Daddy.”
I stepped forward.
Victoria raised a gun.
“Don't.”
I froze.
“What do you want?”
“The trust.”
“You'll never get it.”
“Then she dies.”
Lily didn't cry.
She looked at me.
“Daddy, don't give her anything.”
Victoria's face changed.
“Quiet.”
Lily stared at her.
“You're bad.”
Victoria raised the gun.
I stepped forward.
“No.”
Luca moved.
Marcus moved.
Everyone shouted.
A shot exploded.
Victoria dropped the weapon.
A bullet struck the concrete beside her.
Someone had fired from the balcony.
Derek.
He aimed again.
Then Victor stepped in front of him.
“Enough.”
Derek looked confused.
“You promised.”
“I changed my mind.”
He raised his gun at Derek.
The entire plan collapsed.
Victoria screamed.
Victor looked at me.
“You still don't understand.”
“What?”
“The children aren't the final heirs.”
I stared.
“Then who?”
May you like
He smiled.
“You are.”
