Chapter 16 - THE WITNESS WHO RETURNED
The wedding was held quietly three weeks later. Just us. Leo in a tiny suit. My aunt standing as witness. We exchanged simple vows beneath the arbor in the garden where it had all begun. Adrian placed a ring on my hand—simple gold, engraved with only a date. The day we saved Leo.
It was a beginning. And a trap.
We let it be known publicly that the marriage was one of convenience. To secure Leo’s inheritance. To satisfy the family clause. We wanted whoever watched to believe they had won. That we had bowed to their demand.
Meanwhile, we hunted.
Adrian pulled every family record. Every will addendum. Every old letter. My aunt cross-referenced names and dates from her side. We were looking for the one person who stood to gain if the covenant was honored. The one person who had known Clara. Who had funded her. Who had sent the threat.
Two weeks after the wedding, Adrian’s lawyer called. His voice was grim.
“I found it,” he said. “Hidden in a separate codicil to the will. Buried under legal language. If Leo is raised under a valid marriage between Harrington blood and covenant blood… the executor of the estate gains broad powers. Powers that supersede even yours, Adrian.”
“Who is the executor?” Adrian demanded.
“Your uncle. Your father’s older brother. Julian Harrington.”
The name hung in the air like a curse. Julian. The reclusive brother. The one who had vanished to Europe years ago. Who had never once visited. Never sent a birthday card. Never called.
“He has been pulling every string,” Adrian said quietly. “Clara answered to him. Vivian was his pawn. He funded everything. Waited until we were weak. Then sent the demand… knowing we would have no choice but to marry and hand him control.”
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“He is coming back,” I said. “To take his place beside us. To run everything.”
“He is already here.” Adrian stood slowly. “He arrived in the city this morning. Registered under a false name at a hotel downtown. And he is expecting us to call.”
