The Brother Behind the Smile
Chapter 07 - The Brother Behind the Smile
Julian moved between Richard and the hospital bed.
“You knew?”
Richard placed the flowers on a table.
“I knew Laura was pregnant.”
“And you let me believe she abandoned me?”
Richard’s expression barely changed.
“Father made the decision.”
“You helped him.”
“I protected the family.”
Emma watched them and understood how rich families could destroy people without raising their voices.
Richard turned toward her.
“You should know something before you decide Julian is your hero.”
Emma said nothing.
“Your mother was involved with both of us.”
Laura flinched.
Julian’s fists tightened.
“Don’t humiliate her.”
“I’m telling the truth.”
Laura pushed herself upright.
“No. You’re using the truth.”
That stopped him.
She looked at Emma.
“I was nineteen. Richard was twenty-seven and engaged. He told me he loved me. He didn’t. Julian did.”
Richard’s smile vanished.
Laura continued.
“When Richard learned I was pregnant, he panicked. When Julian’s father learned there was a chance the baby belonged to either son, he paid my father to move us out of state.”
Emma’s voice trembled.
“Did you take the money?”
“No.”
Richard answered for her.
“Her father did.”
Laura looked down.
“He gambled it away in two years.”
Julian’s eyes never left Richard.
“Why plant the bracelet?”
Richard’s silence was the answer.
Emma stepped forward.
“You did this?”
Richard sighed.
“I told someone to prevent a disruption at the gala.”
“You tried to have me arrested.”
“I did not authorize that.”
“But you created the machine that did it.”
For the first time, Richard looked uncomfortable.
Julian turned to Marcus, who had accompanied him.
“Call the police.”
Richard laughed.
“You think arresting Claire will end this?”
“No.”
Julian looked at his brother.
“But it will begin.”
Richard’s face hardened.
“You have no idea what happens if that girl is yours.”
Emma snapped.
“My name is Emma.”
Richard looked at her.
She held his gaze.
“And whatever a DNA test says, I am not something that happens to you.”
Laura smiled through her tears.
Julian did too.
May you like
But Richard’s final words followed them all.
“Wait until the board hears about her.”
