Chapter 3 - A DEBT WRITTEN IN BLOOD
Victor Ashbourne had lied.
Not about the debt.
That was real.
But about why he'd borrowed the money.
Two years earlier, Victor had been involved in a scheme to move stolen goods through his shipping company.
When the operation collapsed, several dangerous men demanded repayment.
Victor panicked.
Then he approached Declan.
But there was something Victor hadn't told anyone.
He had used Kalantha's name on several financial documents.
Without her permission.
Declan discovered the irregularities during a review of Victor's accounts.
His attorney placed the documents on his desk.
“She's listed as a guarantor.”
Declan went still.
“Kalantha?”
“Yes.”
He stared.
“She never signed these.”
The attorney nodded.
“That's what we believe.”
Declan closed his eyes.
For two years, he'd treated Kalantha as someone connected to Victor's debt.
Now he understood something.
She hadn't merely been trapped by her father's mistakes.
Her father had tried to make her legally responsible for them.
That evening, Declan visited Kalantha's apartment.
She opened the door.
“Declan?”
He looked serious.
“May I come in?”
She hesitated.
Then stepped aside.
He placed the documents on her kitchen table.
Kalantha read them.
Her face drained of color.
“My signature.”
Declan nodded.
“It's not genuine.”
She looked up.
“You're sure?”
“Our handwriting expert believes it's forged. An independent examination can confirm it.”
Kalantha stared at the pages.
Her father's name.
Her name.
A debt she had never agreed to carry.
She sat down.
For a long time, she said nothing.
Then whispered:
“He sold me.”
Declan's expression tightened.
“Kalantha—”
“He used my name.”
Her voice broke.
“He made me responsible for his mistakes.”
Declan sat across from her.
“I'll help you challenge these documents.”
She looked at him.
“Why?”
He swallowed.
“Because you deserve the truth.”
Kalantha laughed bitterly.
“That's new.”
Declan accepted the words without defending himself.
“Yes.”
She looked down at the papers.
Then whispered:
“I want to see my father.”
Declan nodded.
“I'll help arrange it if you want.”
She looked at him.
“And I want you there.”
Declan went still.
“Are you sure?”
Kalantha nodded.
“Yes.”
May you like
For the first time, she wasn't asking Declan to make a decision for her.
She was asking him to stand beside her while she made one herself.
