The Secret Julian Never Knew
Chapter 05 - The Secret Julian Never Knew
Julian read the letter twice.
No one spoke.
Emma stood with her arms wrapped around herself, suddenly wishing she had never come to work.
She had expected a private conversation. Maybe disbelief. Maybe rejection.
She had not expected diamonds, security footage, planted evidence, or a room full of powerful people trying to destroy her before she could deliver a letter.
Julian lifted his eyes.
“Pregnant?”
Emma’s throat tightened.
“My mother never told me who my father was.”
Victoria turned toward Emma.
Then toward Julian.
The implication landed like a falling chandelier.
Claire whispered, “Oh my God.”
Emma stepped back.
“No. My mother never said you were my father.”
Julian’s voice was barely audible.
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-three.”
“When’s your birthday?”
“October nineteenth.”
Julian sat down.
Laura had disappeared in February twenty-four years earlier.
Emma’s birthday was eight months later.
Victoria stared at Julian.
“You have a daughter?”
“We don’t know that.”
But his face said he had already begun to wonder.
Emma hated the way everyone looked at her now.
Not as a thief.
As a scandal.
“I didn’t come here for money.”
Julian looked up.
“I know.”
“You don’t know anything about me.”
“You’re right.”
That answer stopped her.
He folded the letter carefully.
“What does Laura want?”
Emma’s eyes burned.
“She wants the truth to reach you before she dies.”
Julian stood so quickly his chair moved backward.
“What?”
“She has advanced heart failure.”
The room went silent again.
Emma wiped her face.
“She’s at St. Catherine’s Hospital.”
Julian looked like someone had struck him.
Claire’s phone buzzed.
Everyone turned.
On the screen was a message.
Claire tried to hide it.
Marcus took the phone.
The message came from an unknown number.
DID SHE GIVE HIM THE LETTER?
Julian’s jaw tightened.
Marcus looked at him.
“We can trace this.”
May you like
Another message appeared.
IF JULIAN LEARNS WHO SHE IS, WE ALL LOSE EVERYTHING.
