Chapter 5 - The Betrayal We Never ExpectedThe next morning, Julian Cross appeared at our front door.
Alive.
I nearly screamed.
Reid grabbed my hand.
Julian looked exhausted.
He had lost weight.
There was a scar above his eyebrow.
“I didn't betray you,” he said.
Reid stared at him.
“Then explain the bank records.”
“I was investigating them.”
“Why did you tell Clara I was dead?”
“Because they were listening.”
Julian stepped inside.
“They had people inside the military administration. If I told anyone you were alive, they would kill you.”
Reid's jaw tightened.
“Who?”
Julian looked at me.
“Your father.”
I froze.
“My father is dead.”
“That's what everyone believes.”
The room went silent.
Julian explained.
Reid's father had disappeared twelve years earlier after being accused of financial crimes.
He had not died.
He had built a network using shell companies and private foundations.
Vivienne had become part of it after Reid's father promised her financial security.
“But why the baby?” I asked.
Julian looked ashamed.
“Because Reid's grandfather created a condition in the family trust.”
“What condition?”
“The money could only transfer to Reid's biological child.”
My hand moved instinctively to my stomach.
Julian nodded.
“And if Reid died before the child was born, control of the trust would temporarily pass to Vivienne.”
“But why fake Reid's death?”
“To make Clara vulnerable.”
The plan was horrifyingly simple.
Separate me from everyone.
Convince me Reid was dead.
Convince the courts I was unstable.
Take custody.
Control the child.
Control the trust.
Then disappear with the money.
Reid looked at Julian.
“You saved me.”
“I failed you first.”
“What do you mean?”
Julian admitted he had once worked with Reid's father.
He had believed the operation was legal.
When he discovered the truth, he tried to leave.
“They threatened my sister.”
“So you helped them fake my death.”
“Yes.”
Reid's expression hardened.
“And then?”
“I changed sides.”
Before anyone could speak, the windows shattered.
A bullet struck the wall.
Reid pulled me down.
Julian pushed Daniel behind the sofa.
Another shot.
Then silence.
Police rushed outside.
No shooter.
Only a black vehicle disappearing down the street.
On the kitchen floor lay a small envelope.
Inside was a hospital bracelet.
My name.
My due date.
And a message.
THE BIRTHDAY IS COMING.
Reid looked at me.
“We're leaving.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere they can't reach.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
He stared at me.
“I've spent three weeks believing you were dead. I'm done running.”
I held his hand.
“If they want our daughter, then we make them come into the light.”
May you like
For the first time, Reid smiled.
“That sounds like my wife.”
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