Chapter 7 - Before Julian
Julian felt the room tilt.
“What do you mean?”
Leo looked terrified. “Mom told me once that you became my dad twice.”
Julian said nothing.
Maya slowly sat down.
Leo continued. “She said once when I was born, and once when you chose me.”
Julian’s mouth went dry.
Amelia had been pregnant when they met.
He had known.
Only four people had ever known.
Amelia.
Julian.
His father, Charles Mercer.
And Nolan Price, who handled the adoption paperwork.
Leo had never been told.
Julian knelt in front of him.
“You are my son.”
“I know.” Leo’s voice shook. “But is there another dad?”
“There was a biological father. He gave up his rights before you were born.”
“Who?”
Julian looked at the flash drive.
“I don’t know.”
That was not completely true.
Amelia had refused to name him.
She had only said the man came from a powerful family and that Leo was safer without him.
Maya touched Leo’s shoulder. “Whatever is on that computer doesn’t change who raised you.”
Leo nodded but did not look convinced.
Julian entered the date he signed the final adoption decree.
The folder opened.
There were bank statements.
Audio files.
Scanned contracts.
And a video labeled FOR JULIAN.
He clicked it.
Amelia appeared on screen.
Alive.
Tired.
Beautiful.
Julian forgot how to breathe.
“If you’re watching this,” she said, “I probably failed to stop them.”
Leo covered his mouth.
Amelia continued.
“Charles knows who Leo’s biological father is. Nolan helped him hide it. They told me it was for Leo’s safety. It wasn’t.”
Julian’s hands clenched.
“Your father built part of Mercer Holdings with money that never belonged to him.”
A document appeared on screen.
“Leo’s biological grandfather placed assets in trust before he died. Charles diverted them through shell companies. If Leo reaches twelve and the independent audit activates, the theft becomes visible.”
Maya whispered, “That’s why the birthday matters.”
Amelia nodded on the recording as if answering her.
“They will try to stop the audit.”
Then she said a name.
“Nolan Price knows everything.”
Julian leaned closer.
“And if Eleanor is in your life when you see this, do not trust her.”
Leo gasped.
Julian went cold.
May you like
Amelia had died four years before Julian ever met Eleanor.
Yet she had just named her.
