Chapter 6 - What Serena Told Me
Serena looked five years older than week before.
No makeup.
Dark circles.
Bandage near ribs.
We met through secure video under federal supervision.
She stared at me.
“Claire.”
“Where are you?”
“Safe.”
“Why me?”
“Because Gabriel won’t believe parts.”
“Try.”
She breathed.
“My father knew about pregnancy before ultrasound.”
“How?”
“He monitored you during divorce.”
I clenched jaw.
“He expected Gabriel might try reconciling if you were pregnant.”
“So you intercepted results.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“At first because I wanted him.”
At least honest.
“I loved Gabriel. Or thought I did.”
She looked away.
“Then technician sent scan.”
“Triplets.”
“Yes.”
“What changed?”
“My mother had lost twins before me.”
I hadn’t known.
“I looked at three heartbeats and realized my father would see leverage.”
“So you hid them.”
“From Gabriel too.”
“Yes.”
“Why not tell him privately?”
“Because his office had leak.”
Marco?
She shook head.
“Not Marco.”
“Who?”
“Gabriel’s mother.”
I froze.
Elena Cross died two years after divorce from stroke. She had always treated me politely but coldly.
“She worked with Vale?”
“Not exactly. She believed alliance prevented bloodshed. She passed information.”
Gabriel never knew.
Serena continued.
“I arranged Brooklyn house. Paid security anonymously. Watched from distance.”
“You watched my children.”
“To keep father’s men away.”
“You let them grow without dad.”
“Yes.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“I don’t expect forgiveness.”
“Good.”
She almost smiled sadly.
Then she said something that destroyed another memory.
“The kiss.”
I stiffened.
“What?”
“In office. You saw us.”
“How know?”
“Camera footage.”
Of course.
“Gabriel kissed me.”
“I know.”
“But he stopped.”
“I didn’t.”
“I know.”
“I pushed because father told me if Gabriel looked involved with me publicly, threat against you might ease.”
I laughed bitterly.
“So everyone protected me by humiliating me.”
“Yes.”
That sentence summarized marriage.
Serena wiped tears.
“Gabriel was wrong. I was worse.”
“Why help now?”
“Because Damon took Miles. That was line.”
“Your family kidnapped child after you spent years hiding them.”
“Yes.”
“And father?”
“He’ll do worse.”
“What?”
She leaned closer.
“He has list.”
“What list?”
“All three boys’ schools. Doctors. routines. Blood types.”
I stopped breathing.
Federal agent entered frame.
Serena continued quickly.
“He doesn’t want trust anymore. He wants Gabriel to panic and retaliate violently.”
“Why?”
“Because if Gabriel commits prosecutable crime, Arthur can petition courts to freeze Cross assets and use old partnership clauses.”
Gabriel’s self-control had become weapon.
They wanted him to become monster everyone believed.
I understood.
“And Marco?”
“He isn’t traitor.”
“Then email?”
“My father accessed my account and sent it.”
“To divide them.”
“Yes.”
“Where is Arthur?”
Serena shook head.
“I don’t know.”
“You’re lying.”
“I know one possibility.”
“Where?”
“Cross estate.”
I stared.
Westchester house.
Our old home.
“Why?”
“Because underground archive beneath wine cellar contains original partnership ledger.”
Gabriel had never mentioned archive.
“Why would Arthur need it?”
“To destroy evidence before federal agents seize estate.”
I ended call and contacted Gabriel.
He listened.
Then said, “I’m going.”
“No.”
“Claire.”
“Finally my turn.”
He almost smiled.
“You cannot tell me no.”
“I can try.”
“Federal agents go.”
“He may escape.”
“Then better than you killing him.”
Gabriel looked at me.
I stepped closer.
“He wants old Gabriel.”
“What if old Gabriel is what finishes this?”
“Then sons learn father became exactly what enemy expected.”
His expression broke.
“Don’t give Arthur that.”
He nodded.
May you like
“I hate when you’re right.”
“Get used to it.”
