Then the name finally clicked.
“My family knew your father years ago.”
Leonard had once been one of the wealthiest developers in the state. Hotels, office buildings, and shopping centers — his company owned half the city in the early 2000s.
Dad continued slowly.
“Claire married Leonard. A year later, they had a son with a unique facial birthmark. Adrian.”
He looked at Julian, who had a large red birthmark across his face.
I stared at my fiancé in disbelief.
“A year later, they had a son with a unique facial birthmark.”
“But Dad said you disappeared.”
Julian nodded.
“My mother took me and left Leonard when I was six.”
“Why?”
Julian hesitated.
“Because my father was dangerous.”
Dad scoffed immediately.
Julian looked angry. “You have no idea what my father was like.”
The tension between them felt ancient.
“But Dad said you disappeared.”
I looked between the two men, trying desperately to understand how my wedding day had become this nightmare.
