Chapter 15 - THE ORCHID CIRCLE
We escaped through the basement tunnel.
It led beneath three neighboring properties.
My father had built it years earlier.
By sunrise, we were hiding in a motel outside the city.
Nathan opened the drive.
There were names.
Hundreds.
But one name appeared at the top.
JULIAN VANCE.
I stared.
“He was involved?”
Nathan shook his head.
“Not like you think.”
The file opened.
Julian had been monitored since childhood.
His father had forced him into the Orchid Circle.
Every major decision had been controlled.
Including his marriage.
Including his affair.
Including the divorce.
I closed my eyes.
“So the entire thing was staged?”
“Not entirely.”
“What does that mean?”
Nathan hesitated.
“Julian betrayed you because he was afraid.”
I laughed bitterly.
“He destroyed my life.”
“Yes.”
“That's not fear.”
“No.”
Nathan looked at me.
“That's weakness.”
Then another file appeared.
SUBJECT: LEO / OLIVER
My blood froze.
“What is that?”
Nathan opened it.
Medical records.
DNA reports.
Genetic analysis.
My sons had been tested before birth.
Without my permission.
One line was highlighted.
MATCH CONFIRMED.
I stared.
“Match with whom?”
Nathan's face went pale.
“Victor Vale.”
I stood.
“What?”
“The boys aren't just connected to the Vances.”
He swallowed.
“They're connected to Victor's bloodline.”
I felt the room spinning.
“That's impossible.”
Nathan looked at the final page.
“It gets worse.”
May you like
“What?”
“Their DNA was the reason your marriage was arranged.”
