Chapter 8 - THE ENEMY INSIDE THE FAMILY
Sterling Kane did not panic.
That was what made him dangerous.
Most people became reckless when they were afraid.
Sterling became calmer.
He adjusted his suit.
Fixed his watch.
And walked away from Everett’s door like nothing happened.
But inside…
His mind was already calculating.
Everett was awake.
Willa knew too much.
Marcus was talking.
Clara was involved.
The entire plan was collapsing.
He entered his private office.
The same office where Everett once made decisions that controlled half of Chicago.
Now Sterling sat behind his desk.
A place that was never supposed to belong to him.
Dr. Whitfield followed him inside.
“This is becoming dangerous.”
Sterling poured a drink.
“Dangerous?”
“Yes.”
“The woman knows too much.”
Sterling smiled.
“She is not the problem.”
“Then what is?”
Sterling looked at the photograph on his desk.
A young Everett.
A young Sterling.
Two boys who grew up together.
One became powerful.
One became invisible.
“That man.”
He pointed at Everett’s photograph.
“He always believed he was better than me.”
Whitfield said nothing.
Sterling continued.
“My entire life…”
“I stood behind Everett.”
“He received respect.”
“He received loyalty.”
“He received fear.”
His hand tightened around the glass.
“And I received nothing.”
Meanwhile…
Willa was learning the truth.
Marcus brought her old documents from Everett’s investigation.
Financial records.
Hospital reports.
Names.
Dates.
Everything connected.
She looked through the papers.
Then stopped.
A signature caught her attention.
Her own.
On a medical report.
“No.”
Marcus looked at her.
“What?”
She pointed.
“This signature.”
Her voice became quiet.
“It’s mine.”
Marcus nodded.
“But the document was created after you left the hospital.”
Willa felt sick.
Someone had copied her signature.
Someone had planned everything.
“Why me?”
Marcus looked at Everett.
“Because you were perfect.”
Willa turned.
“What does that mean?”
“You were respected.”
“You were trusted.”
“Everyone believed you were honest.”
A pause.
“Which meant when you fell…”
“Everyone believed the fall was real.”
That evening…
Willa found Everett sitting up.
A nurse tried to stop her.
But she ignored them.
“You should be resting.”
Everett looked at her.
“I’ve rested for eight months.”
A small smile appeared.
It was the first time she saw him almost look like himself.
“You’re stubborn.”
Willa crossed her arms.
“So are you.”
A quiet moment passed.
Then Everett asked:
“Why did you stay?”
She knew what he meant.
Not just the mansion.
Not just the wedding.
Everything.
Why save him?
Why risk herself?
Willa looked down.
“Because nobody deserves to be abandoned.”
Everett stared at her.
“You barely knew me.”
“No.”
She corrected.
“I knew enough.”
A pause.
“I knew what it felt like when everyone decided you were already guilty.”
Those words hurt him.
Because he understood.
More than anyone.
That night…
Everett finally revealed the secret he had hidden.
The reason he was investigating his own family.
“There is someone else.”
Willa looked at him.
“Someone else?”
Everett nodded.
“Sterling is not working alone.”
Her face changed.
“Who?”
Everett looked toward the hallway.
“The person closest to me.”
Willa waited.
May you like
Then Everett whispered:
“My own mother.”
