He Offered a Million, Then the Boy Made Him Walk

Chapter 3: The Sister's Story

Victoria Vale smiled as if nothing unusual had happened.

"Julian," she said, crossing the restaurant floor. "You should sit down before you hurt yourself."

Julian stared at her. "You knew about him."

Her eyes flicked briefly to Oliver. "I know about many unfortunate things."

Oliver stepped behind Julian's chair.

That small movement told Julian more than Victoria's calm ever could.

He turned to his sister. "Where is Marina?"

Victoria sighed. "Still chasing ghosts, even after all these years?"

"You told me she abandoned me."

"She did."

"Then why does her son have our photograph?"

Victoria's smile faded.

People were still watching. She leaned closer and lowered her voice.

"This is not the place."

Julian laughed once, bitterly. "For six years, you made every place the wrong place."

Victoria's eyes hardened. "I protected you."

"From whom?"

"From her."

Oliver spoke from behind him. "You're lying."

Victoria looked at the boy with pure dislike.

"Children should be quiet when adults discuss things they cannot understand."

Julian wheeled himself back from the table. His legs still burned with strange feeling, but he could not think about that now.

"Oliver, come here."

The boy stepped to his side.

Victoria's face sharpened. "Do not involve yourself with that child."

Julian looked up at her. "Why?"

For the first time, Victoria did not answer quickly enough.

Oliver pulled another item from his coat.

A small medicine bottle.

"Mom said if I found you, show you this."

Julian took it and read the label.

Vale Rehabilitation Institute.

His own family foundation.

His signature printed at the bottom.

He had never approved it.

Victoria reached for the bottle.

Julian caught her wrist.

"Don't."

Her eyes flashed.

"You have no idea what Marina was doing. She was experimenting on you after the accident. That boy inherited her sickness."

Oliver shouted, "My mom healed people!"

Julian went still.

He remembered Marina's hands on his legs after the crash.

The warmth.

The impossible relief.

The way doctors said his survival made no sense.

Then he remembered waking up one morning and being told she was gone.

Julian looked at Victoria.

"What did you do to her?"

Victoria's expression turned cold.

"What I had to."