Chapter 8 - The Betrayal Inside the Family
Arthur Mercer was not the villain Damian had imagined.
At least, not entirely.
The recording showed a frightened man who believed he was about to die.
“Thomas Hamilton discovered that his own wife had been working with the financial network he wanted to expose,” Mercer said.
Caitlyn stared at the screen.
Vincent leaned forward.
“Evelyn.”
Mercer continued.
“She wasn't simply protecting the Hamilton fortune. She was protecting her own role in a criminal enterprise.”
He placed a stack of documents on the table.
“Thomas planned to turn over evidence to federal prosecutors. He also intended to protect Eleanor Vale and Damian.”
The recording paused briefly.
Then Mercer said the words that changed everything.
“Evelyn discovered his plan.”
Caitlyn felt sick.
“Did she kill him?” she whispered.
Vincent didn't answer.
Onscreen, Mercer shook his head.
“I cannot prove Evelyn ordered Thomas's murder. But I know she met with the men responsible forty-eight hours before he died.”
The video ended.
Caitlyn sat motionless.
“Why would Mercer kidnap Noah if he was trying to help?”
Vincent rubbed his forehead.
“Maybe he wasn't trying to hurt him. Maybe he believed Noah had the second key.”
“Then why forge Damian's signature?”
“To force Damian to investigate.”
Caitlyn shook her head.
“He terrified me.”
“Yes.”
“He put Noah at risk.”
“Yes.”
“Then I don't care whether he thinks he's one of the good guys.”
Vincent looked at her with new respect.
“Neither do I.”
That afternoon, Damian was released on a substantial bond while the investigation continued.
Caitlyn met him outside the federal courthouse.
He looked exhausted.
For once, his perfectly controlled appearance had begun to unravel.
His tie was loose.
Dark shadows marked his eyes.
But when he saw Caitlyn, he stopped.
“Is Noah all right?”
She nodded.
“He's safe.”
Damian exhaled.
“Good.”
She approached him.
“I found my mother's recordings.”
His expression changed.
“And?”
“They implicate Evelyn.”
Damian closed his eyes.
He had expected it.
That didn't make hearing it easier.
“Do you believe them?” he asked.
“I believe my mother.”
Damian nodded.
“So do I.”
Caitlyn looked at him.
“You haven't seen the recordings.”
“I've seen enough of Evelyn's lies.”
She hesitated.
Then reached for his hand.
He looked down.
Caitlyn's fingers were small against his scarred knuckles.
“You don't have to face this alone,” she said.
Something shifted in his expression.
For two years, Caitlyn had barely dared stand too close to him.
Now she was holding his hand outside a federal courthouse, surrounded by reporters.
And she wasn't letting go.
Damian lowered his voice.
“Caitlyn, there are things about me you don't know.”
“I know.”
“Things I regret.”
“I assumed.”
He almost smiled.
“I'm not a good man simply because I protected your brother.”
“I didn't say you were.”
“Then why are you here?”
Her eyes filled.
“Because you came when I needed you.”
Damian stared at her.
For a moment, he looked as though he might kiss her.
Instead, he gently touched her cheek.
“You deserve someone whose life isn't a disaster.”
Caitlyn gave a shaky laugh.
“Have you seen mine?”
He smiled.
A real smile.
Small.
Unexpected.
Beautiful.
Then Vincent's phone rang.
His expression changed immediately.
“Boss. Evelyn's gone.”
Damian lowered his hand.
“What do you mean?”
“She left the estate. Security footage shows her departing with two unidentified men.”
“Track her.”
“We are.”
Vincent hesitated.
“There's something else.”
Damian waited.
“Before she left, she emptied a private safe.”
“What was inside?”
Vincent looked at Caitlyn.
“A sealed adoption file.”
Damian frowned.
“Whose?”
May you like
Vincent swallowed.
“Caitlyn's.”
