Chapter 18 - THE LAST ROURKE SECRET
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The intruder was caught near the service elevator.
It was not Camden.
It was Arthur Pike.
He had entered using a stolen employee badge and carried a small handgun.
Security disarmed him before he reached the maternity corridor.
Marcus arrived as officers took Pike away.
Nora stood inside the secure room holding Evelyn.
Eleanor sat beside her, trembling.
“It's over,” Nora whispered.
Eleanor shook her head.
“Not until Gideon is arrested.”
Marcus entered.
“Pike has agreed to cooperate.”
Nora looked up.
“What did he say?”
“He says Gideon ordered him to retrieve the Whitmore documents and prevent Eleanor from speaking to investigators.”
“And Camden?”
Marcus hesitated.
“Pike says Camden knew about the hospital transfer. He also says Camden helped arrange Eleanor's confinement.”
Nora closed her eyes.
Holly entered carrying a tablet.
“There's more. The district attorney has obtained a warrant for Camden's office safe.”
Nora looked at her.
“What are they expecting to find?”
“The backup recording Bianca mentioned. And the original trust correspondence.”
Eleanor's face went pale.
“There's something else in that safe.”
“What?”
“A letter from your grandfather.”
Nora frowned.
“What does it say?”
Eleanor looked toward the door.
“It explains why Camden was so interested in you.”
Holly sat down.
“Tell us.”
Eleanor took a breath.
“Your grandfather believed he could control the trust through marriage. He had a plan to arrange a union between the Whitmore family and someone who could manage the shipping company.”
Nora's stomach tightened.
“Camden.”
“Yes.”
“But he didn't know I was the missing heir.”
“He did. Your grandfather told him before he introduced you.”
Nora stared at her mother.
“Then the entire relationship was planned?”
Eleanor nodded.
“He was supposed to marry you, gain access to the trust, and keep the family business under Gideon's control.”
Nora felt sick.
“And when did he fall in love with me?”
Eleanor's eyes filled.
“I don't know.”
That answer hurt more than she expected.
Marcus's phone rang.
He listened, then looked at Nora.
“They found the safe.”
“And?”
“There's a letter. A recording. And a document with your name.”
Holly frowned.
“What document?”
Marcus read from his notes.
“A private agreement signed by Camden and Gideon. It states that Camden would receive a controlling interest in Breakwater if he secured Nora's marriage and prevented her from discovering the trust's true ownership.”
Nora stared at the wall.
The marriage.
The company.
The years of pretending.
Everything had been part of a plan.
Then Marcus added:
“There's also a second agreement. It was signed after your wedding.”
“What did it say?”
Marcus's voice lowered.
“It gave Camden the right to claim your unborn child as the future beneficiary of the trust.”
Nora looked down at Evelyn.
The baby stirred.
Camden had never wanted a family.
May you like
He had wanted an heir.
And he had expected Nora to deliver one without ever learning why.
