CHAPTER 8 — The Boy Who Refused to Leave
Lily moved to Ohio three weeks later.
The mansion became painfully quiet.
Her laughter no longer echoed through the hallways.
Emily still set three plates at breakfast by habit.
Then remembered.
Only two children remained.
Johnny noticed.
He quietly removed the extra plate every morning before Emily saw it.
One afternoon...
Nathan received another call from Richard Bennett.
"We found something else."
Nathan immediately drove to his office.
Richard placed another file on the desk.
"This one's about Johnny."
Nathan frowned.
"What now?"
Richard looked unusually serious.
"The people claiming to be his biological relatives..."
"...are not good people."
Photographs slid across the table.
Luxury cars.
Private jets.
Crime scene reports.
One name appeared repeatedly.
Victor Kane.
Real estate billionaire.
Currently under federal investigation for fraud.
Richard continued.
"Johnny's biological father disappeared years ago."
"But Victor Kane's brother believes Johnny is the legal heir to a fortune worth nearly eighty million dollars."
Nathan's expression hardened.
"And suddenly they want custody?"
Richard nodded.
"They don't want Johnny."
"They want the inheritance attached to him."
The next morning...
Three black SUVs stopped outside the Carter mansion.
Lawyers stepped out carrying briefcases.
One woman smiled professionally.
"We're here regarding Jonathan Kane."
Johnny happened to be riding his bicycle nearby.
He looked confused.
"My name isn't Jonathan."
Emily hugged him protectively.
"His name is Johnny Carter."
The attorney smiled again.
"Legally..."
"That may soon change."
Nathan stepped between them.
"My attorney will contact yours."
The woman handed him court papers.
Then quietly added,
"This case will become public by tomorrow."
The headlines exploded.
BILLIONAIRE BATTLE OVER CEO'S ADOPTED SON.
Television crews camped outside the estate.
Commentators questioned Emily's motives.
"Did she keep these children for money?"
The accusations spread across social media.
Emily sat silently reading the comments.
Gold digger.
Manipulator.
Professional liar.
Nathan gently took her phone away.
"Stop reading."
"They don't know you."
Emily looked at him with exhausted eyes.
"I'm tired of proving I'm not the monster people imagine."
Nathan kissed her forehead.
"You don't have to."
"I'll prove it for you."
That evening...
Johnny quietly knocked on Nathan's office door.
"Can I ask something?"
Nathan smiled.
"Always."
"If those rich people win..."
"...will I have to leave?"
Nathan stood.
Walked around the desk.
Then knelt before the frightened twelve-year-old.
"I made a promise the day I married your sister."
"No one..."
"...will ever separate this family again."
Johnny suddenly hugged him.
"Dad..."
It was the first time he had ever used that word.
Nathan closed his eyes.
And silently promised himself...
May you like
No amount of money would ever buy this child.
END OF CHAPTER 8
