Chapter 4 - Ghosts of the Past
By the following evening, five-year-old Emma was running around the grand living room of the Mercer estate, her eyes wide with wonder at the towering bookshelves and warm fireplaces. For the first time in two years, Claire felt the crushing weight of poverty ease off her shoulders. Dominic had kept his word: his top corporate attorneys had filed motions that effectively shut down her ex-husband's fraudulent custody battle before it even reached a judge.
However, peace at the Mercer estate was short-lived.
While searching the nursery for clean linens later that night, Claire noticed a loose floorboard beneath Caleb’s crib. Kneeling down, she pried it open and found an old leather journal belonging to Elena Mercer, along with a encrypted USB drive.
Before Claire could inspect it further, the heavy wooden door of the nursery creaked open.
Standing in the doorway was Julian Mercer—Dominic’s sleek, charming, yet coldly calculating half-brother.
“Searching for something, Miss Sullivan?” Julian asked, stepping into the dim room with a faint, predatory smile.
Claire quickly slipped the USB drive into her pocket and stood up calmly, placing her hands behind her back. “Just making sure Caleb has everything he needs for the night, Mr. Mercer.”
Julian stepped closer, his eyes sharp. “You’re very brave, walking into a family you know nothing about. Dominic is a dangerous man, Claire. He thinks he can control Baltimore with fear. But fear creates enemies. Elena realized that too late.”
“Are you threatening me, Julian?” Claire asked, holding her ground without flinching.
“I’m offering you a warning,” Julian whispered, leaning in. “This house is built on secrets. And people who dig up secrets in Harbor East have a habit of disappearing.”
“That’s enough, Julian.”
Dominic’s towering frame appeared in the doorway behind his brother. His presence instantly drained the oxygen from the room.
Julian turned, smoothing his silk tie with an easy smirk. “Just welcoming our guest, brother.”
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“Get out of my house,” Dominic said, his voice terrifyingly calm. “Your access to the estate is revoked as of this second. If I see you on this property again before the forensic audit of Harborline is complete, my men won't ask questions.”
Julian’s smile vanished. He glared at Dominic, then shot a dark, bitter glance at Claire before sweeping out of the room.
