Chapter 3: The Truth Victoria Buried
Nathan stared at the document for several seconds.
His mind refused to accept what his eyes were seeing.
“No…”
The word escaped his lips.
The child looked up at him.
“I’m sorry,” the boy whispered.
Nathan looked at Victoria.
“You knew?”
Her eyes filled with tears.
But Nathan couldn’t tell if they were real.
“You knew about him?”
Victoria slowly lowered her head.
“Yes.”
The answer destroyed the last piece of trust Nathan had left.
“How long?”
She didn’t respond.
“How long have you known I had a son?”
Victoria finally broke.
“Seven years.”
Nathan stepped backward.
Seven years.
For seven years, she had looked him in the eyes every morning.
Seven years, she had watched him raise their other children.
Seven years, she had kept his own son hidden beneath their home.
“Why?” Nathan asked.
His voice was quieter now.
More dangerous.
Victoria wiped her tears.
“Because I was afraid.”
“Afraid of what?”
“That you would leave me.”
Nathan laughed once.
But there was no humor in it.
“You locked a child away because you were afraid of losing me?”
Victoria shook her head.
“You don’t understand. Before you met me, you had another life. Another woman. Another child.”
Nathan looked at the boy.
Memories slowly returned.
Years ago.
Before his empire.
Before his mansion.
Before Victoria.
There had been someone else.
A woman named Emily.
The only woman he had ever truly loved.
But she disappeared after telling him she was pregnant.
Nathan had spent years believing she left him.
“Where is Emily?” Nathan asked.
Victoria’s face changed.
And Nathan saw it.
The fear.
The truth.
“Victoria…”
“She died.”
The basement became silent.
Nathan’s eyes narrowed.
“What did you just say?”
Victoria looked away.
“She died seven years ago.”
Nathan stared at her.
“Convenient.”
Victoria flinched.
Then suddenly, the basement door above them slammed shut.
Everyone looked up.
Edward stood at the top of the stairs.
His face was pale.
“Nathan…”
The butler swallowed.
“There’s something else you need to know.”
Nathan slowly turned.
“What?”
Edward looked at Victoria.
Then at the child.
“Emily didn’t leave you.”
A heavy silence filled the basement.
“She was trying to contact you the night she disappeared.”
Nathan’s heart dropped.
“What are you saying?”
Edward’s voice trembled.
“Someone stopped her.”
Nathan looked at Victoria.
May you like
And for the first time in twelve years…
He saw his wife as a threat.
