Chapter 5
418words
A sharp knock interrupted my thoughts.
I hastily composed myself, stashed the scattered items, and opened the door.
Nathaniel Sinclair stood there, his expression unreadable.
"Sister-in-law?"
I caught the warning in his eyes and frowned appropriately.
"Nate? What is it?"
He hesitated, his face a perfect mask of sympathy.
"Mother wants you ready for the formal ceremony in three days."
I froze momentarily before inwardly cursing—truly, the entire family was cut from the same manipulative cloth!
Not a decent one among them!
I rolled my eyes once he'd left. At least I had Victor's key—and access to whatever secrets his room might hold.
Before the ceremony, I systematically emptied every one of Victor's accounts and maxed out his credit lines.
The day arrived, and I moved through the ceremony like a beautiful automaton in designer black.
Suddenly, a hauntingly familiar voice echoed through the hall.
"Mother! Father! I've returned!"
"Iris Blackwood? What the hell are you doing here?"
Victor stormed toward me, seizing my wrist, his face contorted with rage and disbelief.
"Brother! You're alive! Mother and Father have been beside themselves!"
Nathaniel smoothly intercepted, embracing Victor and steering him toward the elder Sinclairs while subtly positioning himself between us.
"Son? What happened to you?"
Victor spat venomously about Sinclair enemies who'd kidnapped and abandoned him in the wilderness, detailing his heroic escape.
Eleanor stared blankly before producing a tablet showing footage of his bridge "suicide."
"That's impossible! That's not me! That's—that's—"
Realization dawned on his face as he whirled toward me, eyes narrowing dangerously.
I launched myself at him with a heartbroken sob, clinging desperately to his chest.
"Vic! I thought you'd abandoned me!
Even if you're not truly their son, suicide was never the answer!"
The elder Sinclairs' expressions froze at my carefully chosen words.
Victor caught their reaction and immediately pressed his advantage.
"Mother, Father, that wasn't me! And how could I not be your son?
We can do another DNA test right now!"
"Vic, darling, you must be exhausted. We'll sort everything tomorrow.
Tonight, you should reconnect with your wife."
Victor's face cycled through confusion, shock, and fury.
"Wife?"
Still in my ceremonial dress, I gestured between us with a radiant smile.
"Yes! Auntie's adding me to the family registry today!"
Victor stared at me blankly before violently shoving me to the floor.
"You manipulative bitch! You're behind all this!"
He whirled toward his parents, spittle flying as he shouted:
