Chapter 6
We found Michael Sterling in the old portrait gallery.
He was standing beneath a painting of the Sterling founder, holding the black case in one hand.
Alive.
Older than Andrew would have been by two years. Same eyes. Same jawline. Enough resemblance to stop me for half a second.
Michael noticed.
“Andrew did that too.”
I kept walking.
“What?”
“Looked at me like a mirror offended him.”
Eleanor arrived behind me.
“Give me the case.”
Michael laughed.
Not warmly.
“You still think this belongs to you.”
Her face hardened.
“You came because I called.”
“No.”
Richard looked confused.
Michael opened the case.
Inside lay the founder’s ring and reserve seal.
He did not put either on.
That mattered.
“I came because Dominic sent word six months ago.”
I turned sharply.
Dominic froze.
The gallery changed.
“You contacted him.”
Dominic lowered his eyes.
“Yes.”
Eleanor smiled.
“There. Your loyal dog.”
I ignored her.
“Why?”
Dominic looked at me. “Because Andrew asked me to if Eleanor ever tried to use Lily against you.”
Silence.
I stopped breathing for one beat.
Andrew.
My dead husband had anticipated this.
Michael watched me carefully.
“Your husband knew his mother.”
Eleanor snapped, “Don’t speak about my son.”
Michael looked at her with open contempt.
“I’m his brother.”
Richard frowned.
“You abandoned us.”
Michael’s expression shifted.
“No.”
He looked at Eleanor.
“She removed me.”
The room went still.
I knew instantly that the boating story had been another family construction.
Michael continued.
“I challenged the founder’s reserve before Andrew took control. Eleanor decided two sons created too much uncertainty.”
Richard looked sick.
“You were supposed to be dead.”
“That was the point.”
Eleanor stepped forward.
“You were unstable.”
Michael laughed.
“Same word every Sterling uses before taking someone’s choice away.”
I heard Lily’s voice in my head.
I don’t want to clean for Grandma anymore.
Different generation.
Same instinct.
Control first.
Justify after.
I looked at Michael.
“Why did Andrew want you called?”
He closed the case.
“Because he knew Eleanor would eventually force you to choose between your daughter and Sterling.”
My throat tightened.
“And?”
Michael’s eyes settled on me.
“He wanted me here when you chose Lily.”
May you like
Not to challenge me.
To witness what kind of leader I became.
