Chapter 10: The Secret My Father Buried

My father's name echoed in my mind.

He paid someone to reject Scarlett.

I looked at Ethan, waiting for him to tell me that I had misunderstood.

But he didn't.

Why?

Ethan lowered his voice.

Because your father wanted Scarlett to remain available for the Calder alliance.

That made no sense.

If he wanted Scarlett to marry Noah, why did he interfere with her first mate contract?

Because the original mate had discovered something about the Mercer family.

What did he discover?

Ethan looked toward the darkening sky.

Financial records. Money that had been transferred between the Mercer and Calder families for years.

My chest tightened.

My father had always been proud of his reputation.

He taught me that the Mercer name was built on honesty.

Apparently, that had been another lie.

I opened the report again.

There was a second page hidden beneath it.

My mother's signature appeared at the bottom.

She knew too.

Ethan nodded.

Your mother knew everything.

Then why did they treat Scarlett like she was the victim?

Because guilt can make people protect the person they believe they damaged.

I stared at him.

Scarlett knew?

Ethan hesitated.

She knew part of it.

How much?

Enough to understand that your father destroyed her first mate contract.

A cold feeling spread through me.

So all these years, Scarlett knew that our family had manipulated her life.

And instead of telling me, she chose Noah.

Ethan handed me another document.

This is the original Calder family succession agreement.

I opened it.

The document stated that Noah's future wife would receive control over a major portion of the Calder estate.

But there was another condition.

The wife had to be recognized by both families.

Scarlett was the preferred candidate.

I finally understood.

The claiming ceremony was never just about love.

It was about power.

My parents wanted Scarlett connected to the Calder family.

Noah wanted Scarlett.

And I had been placed between them because I was convenient.

My hands curled into fists.

Ethan looked at me carefully.

There is one final problem.

What?

The documents you have are not enough to expose them publicly.

Why not?

Because the Calder family can claim they were forged.

Then what do I need?

The original registry records.

I frowned.

Grayhaven Mate Registry Hall keeps copies of every chosen-mate contract.

If you obtain the original record signed by Noah and Scarlett, they cannot deny what they did.

I looked at the time.

Can you help me get it?

Ethan shook his head.

I can tell you where it is. But you have to retrieve it yourself.

Why?

Because someone inside the registry is already helping them.

Before I could ask another question, Ethan's phone rang.

He looked at the screen and immediately stepped away.

When he returned, his expression had changed.

You need to leave.

Why?

Someone knows we're here.

A car appeared at the far end of the station.

Its headlights swept across the empty platform.

Ethan grabbed my arm.

Run.

We moved through the narrow passage behind the station.

My wolf surged with adrenaline.

For the first time, I understood that this was no longer only a family dispute.

Someone was willing to silence anyone who uncovered the truth.

We reached the opposite street and stopped beneath a broken streetlight.

Ethan handed me a small key.

Locker 217. Grayhaven Registry Hall.

Everything you need is inside.

Then he disappeared into the crowd.

I returned to my apartment alone.

I locked the door and placed the key beside my laptop.

My phone rang again.

This time, it was Noah.

I answered.

Where are you?

That is none of your business.

His voice became quieter.

Ruby, please come back.

Why?

Because I have finally realized what I lost.

I closed my eyes.

Noah, you did not lose me today.

You lost me years ago.

There was silence.

Then he said something that made my blood run cold.

Ruby, if you go to the registry tomorrow, you will destroy more than just my relationship with Scarlett.

I opened my eyes.

How do you know where I'm going?

He did not answer.

The call ended.

I stared at the key on the table.

Someone had told Noah.

Which meant someone was watching me.

I picked up the key.

Tomorrow, I was going to Locker 217.

And this time, I was ready for whatever truth was waiting inside.