Chapter 12 - The Brother Clara Never Knew
Teresa sat behind thick glass in the detention center.
Without pearls, makeup, or tailored clothing, she looked smaller.
Not weaker.
Just smaller.
Clara sat opposite her.
“You wanted me.”
Teresa smiled.
“You always did have Evelyn’s expression when you were angry.”
“Where is Adrian?”
“You didn’t even ask whether he’s really your brother.”
“I checked DNA records.”
Teresa’s smile disappeared slightly.
Clara had not actually checked DNA records.
But the bluff worked.
“Where is he?”
Teresa leaned toward the glass.
“Your mother lied to everyone.”
“About what?”
“About who fathered her first child.”
Clara said nothing.
Teresa watched for a reaction.
Then continued.
“Adrian wasn’t a Hart.”
“Who was his father?”
“Walter Vance.”
Clara felt something cold move down her spine.
Richard’s father.
Julian’s grandfather.
“My mother had a child with Walter?”
“She was twenty-three. He was married.”
“How do you know?”
“Richard found out when Walter died.”
Clara’s thoughts collided.
If Adrian was Walter’s son, then Adrian was Richard’s half-brother.
Which made him Julian’s half-uncle.
And Clara’s brother.
The Hart trust had not only been restitution.
It might also have protected Walter’s hidden child.
“Did Walter know?”
“Yes.”
“Did he support Adrian?”
“Secretly.”
“What happened?”
Teresa leaned back.
“Evelyn got scared.”
“Of Walter?”
“Of his wife.”
“Richard’s mother?”
Teresa smiled.
“You think I’m cruel?”
“Yes.”
“You should have met Eleanor Vance.”
“Where is Adrian?”
Teresa looked bored.
“You’re asking the wrong question again.”
Clara thought of Richard.
The system around Julian.
The hidden archive.
“What should I ask?”
“Who took him?”
Clara waited.
Teresa lowered her voice.
“Adrian didn’t die.”
“I know.”
“Evelyn hid him.”
“Where?”
“No one knew for years.”
“And then?”
“Richard found him.”
“When?”
“After you were born.”
Clara’s heart beat harder.
“What did Richard do?”
“He paid for his education. Quietly.”
“Why?”
“Guilt.”
“For what?”
Teresa’s expression changed.
“That part is Richard’s story.”
“What does Adrian have to do with Julian’s accounts?”
“Everything.”
Clara stared.
Teresa leaned toward the glass again.
“The offshore money Julian has been moving?”
“Yes.”
“It was never supposed to belong to Richard.”
“Who did it belong to?”
“Adrian.”
Clara felt the room narrow.
“Walter changed his will?”
“No.”
“Then how?”
“Private agreement.”
“Where is it?”
Teresa smiled.
“Your mother kept the original.”
“In the archive?”
“No.”
“Then where?”
“She gave it to Adrian.”
Clara’s pulse quickened.
“Where is he?”
Teresa’s smile widened.
“You still don’t understand.”
“Understand what?”
“Adrian has been near you for years.”
Clara stared through the glass.
“Who is he?”
Teresa stood.
The guard moved toward her.
“Tell me.”
May you like
Teresa turned away.
“Ask your lawyer why he changed his last name.”
