Chapter 8 - THE UNCLE
Charles Mercer had disappeared fifteen years earlier.
At the time, the family said he was traveling.
Then they said he had moved overseas.
Eventually, nobody spoke about him.
My father finally admitted the truth.
“Charles wanted control of the family trust.”
“Why?”
“He believed your mother had no right to manage it.”
“And?”
“She refused.”
“What happened?”
“They fought.”
“Then he disappeared.”
My father handed me an old photograph.
Charles stood beside my mother.
He looked younger.
Confident.
Powerful.
And beside them was Adrian.
I froze.
“When was this taken?”
“Before your wedding.”
I stared.
Adrian had known my uncle.
“How?”
“Charles introduced him to the family.”
My stomach dropped.
Adrian had not entered my life by accident.
He had been introduced to me.
Recommended.
Positioned.
My entire marriage might have been engineered.
I called Mr. Hale.
“Find Charles Mercer.”
He asked:
“Alive?”
“Assume he is.”
It took three days.
Then we found a property in Vermont.
A man named Charles Morgan lived there.
Same age.
Same appearance.
Same scar on the left hand.
My uncle.
I went with my father.
Charles opened the door.
He looked at me.
Then at my father.
“I knew you'd come.”
My father stepped forward.
“Charles.”
He smiled.
“You took your time.”
I looked between them.
“You knew?”
Charles laughed.
“She never told you?”
My father shook his head.
Charles stepped aside.
“Come in.”
The house was filled with old documents.
Photographs.
Family records.
He had spent years collecting information.
About my mother.
About Mercer Global.
About Adrian.
About me.
I stared at a file bearing my name.
“You were watching me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I was protecting the family.”
I laughed.
“Everyone says that.”
Charles smiled.
“You're learning.”
I didn't smile back.
“Did you recruit Adrian?”
He didn't deny it.
“Yes.”
My father turned.
“Charles!”
“He needed someone close to the family.”
“You manipulated my daughter.”
Charles looked at me.
“I didn't expect him to become cruel.”
“You knew who he was.”
“I knew he wanted money.”
“You gave him access.”
“Yes.”
“And you used my marriage to gain access to the trust.”
Charles nodded.
“I wanted the assets.”
I stared.
“Why?”
“Because your mother was going to leave everything to you.”
I felt sick.
He continued:
“I believed you could be controlled through your marriage.”
“So Adrian was your weapon.”
“Initially.”
“Then what changed?”
“He became greedy.”
“And Chloe?”
“His partner.”
“Did you know they planned to take Lily?”
“Yes.”
My father looked devastated.
“You let this happen?”
Charles lowered his eyes.
“I thought I could control the situation.”
I laughed bitterly.
“You couldn't.”
“No.”
For the first time, Charles looked old.
Really old.
“I'm sorry.”
I stared at him.
“You don't get to say that.”
“I know.”
Then he gave me a folder.
Inside was the original family trust.
And one surprising clause.
My mother had anticipated Charles's betrayal.
The trust had a hidden protection.
If any family member attempted to manipulate the heir through marriage or custody, the entire trust would transfer to an independent foundation.
Charles had lost everything the moment Adrian filed for custody.
He hadn't realized it.
Neither had Adrian.
I smiled.
“You didn't win.”
Charles shook his head.
“No.”
May you like
“You lost before you started.”
“Yes.”
