Chapter 3: The Secret Martha Buried for Years
The next morning, Julian sat beside his mother’s hospital bed.
Martha stared out the window.
She looked exhausted.
“Mom.”
She slowly turned.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Because you were happy.”
Julian shook his head.
“I almost married someone who wanted you gone.”
Martha looked away.
“I was scared.”
Those words broke him.
His mother had raised him alone.
She had worked two jobs.
She had sacrificed everything.
And now she was afraid inside her own home.
Julian reached for her hand.
“You’re safe now.”
Martha squeezed his fingers.
“There’s something else.”
Julian looked up.
“What?”
Martha took a deep breath.
“Bianca wasn’t interested in you.”
His face hardened.
“What do you mean?”
“She wanted your money.”
“I know that.”
“No.”
Martha shook her head.
“She wanted something much bigger.”
She opened an old envelope hidden inside her drawer.
Inside was a photograph.
A photograph of Bianca standing with another man.
Julian frowned.
“Who is this?”
Martha whispered:
“The man who taught her how to destroy rich families.”
Julian stared at the picture.
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
A man’s voice spoke.
“Julian Hale?”
“Yes.”
“You need to know the truth about your fiancée.”
Julian tightened his grip.
“Who are you?”
May you like
The man paused.
“I’m the reason Bianca hasn’t married you yet.”
