Chapter 6 - THE CHILD WITHOUT A FATHER
The storage box was hidden beneath an old Catholic church on the West Side.
Elena had chosen the place because Dominic’s father hated churches.
At least, that was what Mateo claimed.
Inside the box were photographs, letters, hospital records, and a small blue baby blanket.
Dominic picked it up with both hands.
He looked strangely young.
Norah stood beside him.
“You okay?”
“No.”
“Fair.”
He gave her a look.
She squeezed his arm.
Mateo opened the first file.
Julian Alexander Castile.
Birth mother listed as unknown.
Norah frowned.
“But the certificate Pierce had listed Elena.”
“Forged,” Mateo said.
Dominic looked at him.
“Why?”
“To protect the real mother.”
“Who was she?”
Mateo hesitated.
“Elena never told me.”
Norah opened another envelope.
Inside was a letter addressed to Dominic.
His hands shook slightly as he unfolded it.
Dom,
If you ever read this, then everything has already gone wrong.
Julian is not my son.
He is yours.
Dominic stopped reading.
The room went silent.
Norah stared at him.
“What?”
Dominic looked genuinely stunned.
“That’s impossible.”
“How old is Julian?”
“Twenty-six.”
Norah calculated.
“You would have been twenty.”
Dominic’s face changed.
Mateo said nothing.
Dominic continued reading.
You were young.
You were drunk.
And you never knew what happened after one summer night with Camille Arden.
Norah saw recognition.
“Who was Camille?”
Dominic sat down.
“A girl I knew in college.”
“Did you sleep with her?”
“Yes.”
Mateo looked away.
Dominic kept reading.
Camille became pregnant. She was terrified of your father. She came to me because she knew I was planning to leave.
I promised to protect the baby.
Your father found out.
Camille disappeared before Julian was born.
I never knew whether she ran or whether Father made her disappear.
When Julian was born, I claimed him.
I thought I could keep him safe.
I was wrong.
Dominic lowered the letter.
Norah could barely breathe.
“Julian is your son.”
Dominic shook his head.
“No.”
“It’s possible.”
“No.”
His voice cracked.
“I would have known.”
“You didn’t even know Elena was alive.”
That silence hurt.
Dominic read the final lines.
If Julian finds you one day, do not ask him to forgive you.
Ask him what he needs.
And Dominic…
Find Camille.
She may still be alive.
Dominic looked up.
Mateo’s phone buzzed.
He answered.
His expression changed immediately.
“What?”
He ended the call.
“Boss, we found Julian.”
“Where?”
“Your father’s old house.”
Dominic stood.
“Alive?”
“Yes.”
“Alone?”
Mateo shook his head.
“No.”
“Who’s with him?”
May you like
Mateo looked at the letter.
“Camille Arden.”
