Chapter 8 - THE TRUTH ABOUT HER BROTHER
Kalantha's younger brother, Julian Ashbourne, had disappeared two years earlier.
Victor claimed Julian had stolen money from the wrong people.
That was the reason he'd brought Kalantha to Declan.
But the truth was different.
Julian hadn't stolen the money.
He'd discovered evidence of illegal shipments moving through Victor's company.
When he confronted their father, Victor panicked.
Then Julian vanished.
Declan's investigators had spent months trying to find him.
Now they had a lead.
Julian was alive.
Living under an assumed name in Philadelphia.
Declan told Kalantha immediately.
She stared.
“Alive?”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
Her eyes filled.
“Are you sure?”
“We've confirmed his identity.”
Kalantha covered her mouth.
For two years, she'd believed Julian might be dead.
Now he was alive.
She looked at Declan.
“I want to see him.”
He nodded.
“I'll help arrange it.”
Three days later, Kalantha met Julian in a private conference room.
He stood when she entered.
Older.
Thinner.
But unmistakably her brother.
“Kala.”
She froze.
Then ran toward him.
Julian caught her.
They held each other.
Crying.
Laughing.
Apologizing.
Later, Julian explained everything.
Their father had been involved in criminal shipping operations.
Julian had discovered the records.
He feared Victor would silence him.
So he fled.
Kalantha listened.
Then whispered:
“Why didn't you contact me?”
Julian looked down.
“I thought it would put you in danger.”
Her eyes filled.
“You should have trusted me.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
That evening, Kalantha returned to New York.
Declan waited outside her apartment.
She looked at him.
“Thank you.”
He nodded.
“I'm glad he's safe.”
Kalantha stepped closer.
For a moment, she hesitated.
Then she hugged him.
Declan froze.
Then gently wrapped his arms around her.
Not tightly.
Not possessively.
Just enough to hold her.
May you like
And for the first time, Kalantha didn't feel trapped.
She felt safe.
