CHAPTER 2 — The First Family
CHAPTER 2 — The First Family
Back at Marcus's office, photographs covered an entire conference table.
Marriage licenses.
Birth certificates.
Property deeds.
Everything pointed toward one impossible truth.
Julian Vance had married Amelia Brooks twelve years earlier.
Their marriage had never legally ended.
"There was never a divorce," Marcus explained.
Valeria stared blankly.
"Then my marriage..."
Marcus nodded.
"Was technically invalid."
Her entire world collapsed.
She had spent nine years believing she was Julian's wife.
Legally...
She had never been one.
Marcus continued.
"The little boy is Ethan."
"He's eight."
"The timing matters."
Valeria looked at him.
"Eight?"
Marcus nodded.
"You married Julian nine years ago."
Valeria's blood ran cold.
"That means..."
"He was already living with Amelia when he met you."
She suddenly remembered something her father once said.
"Never invest in a man who appears too perfect."
At the time, she thought he was simply being protective.
Now she understood.
Her father had known.
Or at least...
He had suspected.
Marcus slid over one final document.
"This is why your father changed the will."
Across the top was a handwritten note.
May you like
If anything happens to me...
Never trust Julian.
