Chapter 10 - THE TRUTH ABOUT PAUL’S ATTACK
Paul Mercer had attacked Gabriel with a butter knife.
For weeks, I had assumed it was impulsive.
A desperate man demanding money.
A business dispute turned violent.
Then Laura called.
“We found something about the diner incident.”
I sat down.
“What?”
“Paul had been communicating with Jimmy before the attack.”
My stomach tightened.
“Jimmy?”
“Your former manager.”
I stared at the wall.
“Why?”
Laura continued.
“The Silver Spoon was part of Crown Harbor's property network. Jimmy was providing information about Gabriel's visits.”
I swallowed.
“So Paul knew Gabriel would be there.”
“Yes.”
“Then why attack him with a butter knife?”
Laura hesitated.
“We think he wanted to provoke a violent response in a public place.”
I closed my eyes.
The scene returned.
Paul lunging.
Victor striking him.
The men dragging him through the back door.
All those frightened customers.
I remembered the silence.
The blood.
Gabriel's expression.
“What was the goal?”
“If Gabriel retaliated excessively, Paul could use the incident to increase pressure on him. There were also people recording the confrontation.”
I stared.
“Someone filmed it?”
“Yes.”
“Did they film me?”
A pause.
“They did.”
My stomach dropped.
Laura continued.
“The video shows you touching Gabriel's cheek. The footage was circulated privately before the threatening messages began.”
I felt cold.
“Why?”
“Because your involvement changed the situation. Paul began investigating your connection to Ruth Brooks.”
My mother.
Again.
---
That afternoon, Gabriel called.
His voice sounded different.
Quieter.
“Laura told you?”
“Yes.”
“I'm sorry.”
“You didn't arrange the attack.”
“No. But my business decisions made that diner a place where violence could happen.”
I was silent.
He continued.
“I've provided the complete security footage and relevant records to investigators.”
“Good.”
“I've also instructed my attorneys to identify employees harmed by company misconduct and cooperate with legitimate claims.”
I looked toward the window.
“That matters.”
“I know.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Gabriel said, “I found something else.”
“What?”
“A letter from Elena.”
My heart accelerated.
“About what?”
“Your mother.”
---
We met at Laura's office.
Gabriel brought an old envelope.
The paper was yellowed.
The handwriting was young and hurried.
Elena had written it shortly before the shipping fire.
Maya's mother is the only adult who believes me.
I stared.
Elena continued.
Ruth says I should write down everything I know and give it to someone outside the family. She says truth doesn't belong to whoever has the most power.
My eyes filled.
I could almost hear my mother saying those words.
The letter described suspicious payments, threats, and Elena's plan to report the information.
Then it ended.
If Gabriel finds this, tell him I never blamed him. He tried to protect me. I just wanted him to know that he deserved to be free too.
Gabriel lowered his head.
For several minutes, he cried silently.
I sat beside him.
I didn't touch him immediately.
Instead, I asked, “Would you like me to hold your hand?”
He looked up.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
I took his hand.
This time, it wasn't a moment of shock.
It was a choice.
May you like
And somehow, that made it more intimate than anything we'd shared before.
---
