Chapter 14 - THE BROTHER WHO WANTED EVERYTHING
His name was Nathaniel Cross.
He had spent thirty years believing the Lane family stole his inheritance.
And in some ways, they had.
But he had chosen revenge.
He had joined Victor.
He had helped manipulate the paternity test.
He had helped locate Zara.
And he had ordered the attack on Prince.
When I finally confronted him, he didn't deny anything.
We met in an empty courtroom.
Federal agents surrounded the building.
Nathaniel walked in wearing a black suit.
He looked like my father.
Same jaw.
Same eyes.
Same arrogant confidence.
“You look disappointed,” he said.
“I thought I'd feel more.”
“Anger?”
“No.”
I stared at him.
“Mostly pity.”
His face tightened.
“You have everything.”
“You wanted everything.”
“You had the company.”
“You could have had a family.”
“I don't need a family.”
I shook my head.
“That's what you tell yourself.”
He laughed.
“You think Zara loves you?”
“Yes.”
“You think Prince will always love you?”
“I hope so.”
“What happens when he learns what you did?”
I stepped closer.
“I'll tell him the truth.”
Nathaniel stared at me.
“And if he hates you?”
“Then I'll accept it.”
That answer silenced him.
Because that was the difference between us.
He wanted control.
I wanted love.
He had spent his life trying to possess people.
I had spent mine learning to let them choose.
Nathaniel eventually confessed.
The evidence was enough to dismantle the remaining members of the seven families.
Politicians resigned.
Executives were indicted.
Fortunes were frozen.
And the Lane family name became synonymous with the biggest corporate conspiracy in modern Manhattan history.
But one question remained.
What would happen to my mother?
She had cooperated.
She had confessed.
She had helped prosecutors.
But she still had to face the consequences.
Before sentencing, she asked to see me.
We sat across from each other.
“I don't expect forgiveness,” she said.
“I know.”
“I just want you to know something.”
“What?”
“I loved you.”
I looked at her.
“I know.”
She began crying.
“I just didn't know how to love without controlling.”
I reached across the table.
For the first time in years, I held my mother's hand.
“I hope you learn.”
She squeezed my fingers.
“Me too.”
Then I stood.
“I'll visit.”
She smiled through tears.
“That's more than I deserve.”
Maybe it was.
Maybe it wasn't.
But I wasn't interested in punishment anymore.
I wanted peace.
---
That night, I returned home.
Zara was sitting on the porch.
Prince was asleep inside.
She looked at me.
“It's over?”
“Yes.”
“All of it?”
“Yes.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
I sat beside her.
After a moment, I reached into my pocket.
She looked suspicious.
“What?”
I pulled out a small ring.
Her eyes widened.
“Justin…”
“I know we've already been through enough.”
She laughed softly.
“You think?”
“But I want to ask you something.”
She stared at me.
I took her hand.
“I can't promise life will never hurt again.”
She smiled.
“I don't need that.”
“I can't promise I'll always get everything right.”
“I definitely don't need that.”
I laughed.
“But I can promise I'll never run from the truth again.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“And?”
“And I'll choose you every single day.”
She whispered:
“Yes.”
I slipped the ring onto her finger.
Then Prince appeared in the doorway.
“Are you getting married again?”
We both laughed.
“Maybe,” Zara said.
Prince crossed his arms.
“I need to approve.”
I looked at him.
“What's the approval process?”
“Unlimited pancakes.”
“Done.”
“Saturday breakfast every week.”
“Done.”
“And a puppy.”
I stared at Zara.
She smiled.
“Looks like you've been negotiating with a Lane.”
Prince grinned.
I pulled both of them into my arms.
For the first time, the future didn't frighten me.
May you like
It felt like something I could finally believe in.
---
