Chapter 9 - THE FIANCÉ WHO CAME FOR MY SISTER
Andrew Keller arrived at the boarding school wearing a dark suit and the same charming smile that had once convinced me to marry him.
He stepped into the administration building carrying a leather briefcase.
When he saw me, he stopped.
For one terrible second, his expression revealed pure shock.
Then he smiled.
"Ellie."
I felt sick.
"Andrew."
He looked toward Luca.
"Moretti."
Luca said nothing.
Andrew's smile widened.
"Congratulations on the wedding."
I crossed my arms.
"Why are you here?"
"Family business."
"Grace isn't your family."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"I'm her authorized guardian."
Rebecca stepped forward.
"We're reviewing the validity of that authorization."
Andrew glanced at her.
Then looked back at me.
"Ellie, you don't understand."
I laughed bitterly.
"That's what everyone keeps telling me."
He sighed.
"Your father asked me to oversee Grace's care."
"Why?"
"Because she's vulnerable."
I looked toward the hallway.
Grace was waiting with her counselor.
A child.
Frightened.
Watching adults argue over her life.
I felt anger rise.
"She's not property."
Andrew's smile vanished.
"Nobody said she was."
"Then stop talking about her like a transaction."
Luca stepped beside me.
Not in front.
Beside.
The distinction mattered.
Andrew looked between us.
Then smirked.
"Already playing the devoted husband, Luca?"
Luca's expression remained calm.
"Ellie is asking a reasonable question."
Andrew's jaw tightened.
Then he turned toward Rebecca.
"I have court documents."
She nodded.
"Then we'll review them."
For the next hour, attorneys examined the paperwork.
The school refused to release Grace until the legal conflict could be clarified.
Andrew grew increasingly irritated.
Finally, he slammed his briefcase shut.
"This is ridiculous."
I looked at him.
"What's ridiculous is that you think you can walk into her life and take her without explanation."
He stepped closer.
"Ellie, this isn't about you."
I stared.
"Then why did you spend two years trying to marry me?"
His expression changed.
I continued.
"Was it because of my father's company?"
Silence.
"Because of the money?"
He looked away.
"Or because you knew about Grace?"
Andrew's face hardened.
"Be careful."
Luca immediately turned toward him.
"Don't threaten her."
Andrew laughed coldly.
"You're making a mistake, Moretti."
Then he looked directly at me.
"Your father has been protecting you from the truth."
I felt cold.
"What truth?"
Andrew leaned closer.
"The reason your mother disappeared."
I stared.
"What reason?"
His smile returned.
"She didn't leave because your father was dangerous."
He paused.
"She left because she discovered what Luca's family had done."
Luca went still.
May you like
Andrew continued.
"And if you knew what happened to Matteo Moretti, you'd never sleep under the same roof as his brother again."
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