Chapter 4 - The Locked Office
Julian returned to the family estate that night.
He left Elena under medical supervision.
Before leaving, he kissed her forehead.
“I'll come back.”
She caught his sleeve.
“Don't trust them.”
Julian looked at her.
“Who?”
She hesitated.
“Anyone who tells you this is about the baby.”
That sentence followed him all the way home.
Arthur was waiting in the study.
Beatrice stood beside the fireplace.
Chloe sat silently on the sofa.
No one looked at Julian directly.
He closed the door.
“Which one of you ordered the DNA test?”
Arthur's face hardened.
“You've been listening to strangers.”
“Answer me.”
Beatrice stepped forward.
“It was necessary.”
“For what?”
“To protect the family.”
Julian laughed once.
There was no humor in it.
“You tested me without telling me.”
Arthur slammed his hand against the desk.
“Because you were about to make the biggest mistake of your life.”
Julian looked at him.
“Marrying Elena?”
“No.”
Arthur's voice dropped.
“Believing that baby belongs to you.”
Silence.
Julian's eyes narrowed.
“Why wouldn't it?”
Arthur didn't answer.
Chloe suddenly stood.
“Dad.”
Arthur turned.
“Stay out of this.”
Julian noticed something.
Chloe was afraid.
Not angry.
Afraid.
Then Julian looked toward the locked office door.
The same door from the photograph.
“What's inside?”
Beatrice whispered.
“Nothing you need to see.”
Julian reached for the handle.
May you like
Arthur stepped in front of him.
👉 Whatever Arthur was protecting behind that locked door was powerful enough to make his own daughter afraid of the truth.
