Chapter 13 - THE SECRET IN DIAMOND'S BLOOD
Marcus Vale had disappeared for fifteen years.
He had been Diamond's father's attorney.
His father's most trusted adviser.
And the only man outside the family who knew every secret of the Kelly empire.
Including the truth about Diamond's birth.
Caprice found the file at three in the morning.
It had been hidden inside Diamond's father's old safe.
She carried it into the study.
Diamond looked up.
"Where did you get that?"
"Your father's safe."
His expression hardened.
"You opened it?"
"It was already open."
She placed the file on the desk.
"Your name isn't on the birth certificate."
Diamond stared at her.
"That's impossible."
Caprice opened the file.
His father's handwriting appeared across the page.
Diamond is not my biological son.
Silence.
Diamond read the sentence twice.
Then again.
His face went completely blank.
Caprice touched his shoulder.
"Diamond."
He moved away.
"No."
"Listen."
"No."
He opened another document.
DNA results.
Marcus Vale.
Diamond.
A match.
Diamond's hands began trembling.
"He's my father."
Caprice nodded.
"Apparently."
Diamond stared at the papers.
All his life, he had believed the Kelly empire belonged to him by blood.
Now he discovered the blood running through his veins belonged to the man hunting him.
His father had known.
His mother had known.
Everyone had known.
Except him.
Diamond laughed bitterly.
"So that's why."
"Why what?"
"Why Marcus disappeared."
He looked toward the window.
"My father discovered the truth."
Caprice understood.
"And Costa?"
Diamond's eyes hardened.
"Costa knew too."
A terrible realization settled between them.
Costa's betrayal.
The attack.
The photograph.
The message.
None of it had been about territory.
It had been about inheritance.
Marcus wanted the Kelly empire.
And Diamond stood between him and everything.
Caprice reached for his hand.
Diamond let her.
"I don't care who your father is."
He looked at her.
"You are still you."
His eyes softened.
For the first time that night, he breathed.
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
Diamond answered.
Marcus spoke.
"Hello, son."
Diamond's expression turned murderous.
Marcus laughed softly.
"You finally found the truth."
"What do you want?"
"Everything your father stole from me."
"And if I refuse?"
"You lose Caprice."
Diamond went silent.
Marcus continued.
"Tomorrow morning."
A pause.
"Bring her."
The call ended.
Caprice looked at Diamond.
He immediately shook his head.
"No."
She understood.
"You don't get to decide for me."
"You're not going."
"I am."
"Caprice."
She stepped closer.
"Remember what I told you?"
He stared at her.
"I choose you."
May you like
She took his face in her hands.
"Now let me choose again."
