Chapter 3
I had come to deliver medicine.
Instead, I found a ghost from my past waiting in a cold apartment.
Rose took the pills with shaking hands while Noah held a cup of water to her lips.
I watched him care for her like a child who had become the adult too early.
Afterward, she leaned back, exhausted.
“Noah,” she said.
“Go wash your hands.”
“But—”
“Please.”
He looked at me suspiciously, then went into the tiny bathroom.
The moment the door closed, Rose’s face changed.
“You should leave, Arthur.”
“Not after what you said.”
“I should not have said it.”
“But you did.”
She closed her eyes.
“Your son came to see me two months ago.”
My chest tightened.
“Charles?”
She nodded.
My oldest son.
The one who ran Alden Holdings now because I had trusted blood more than character.
“What did he want?”
Rose looked toward the bathroom door.
“He wanted me to sign papers.”
“What papers?”
“Saying my husband’s death had nothing to do with your construction company.”
I went cold.
Rose’s husband.
Mateo Reyes.
I remembered the name.
A site electrician.
Killed in a fire at one of our warehouses years ago.
I had been told it was an accident caused by faulty personal equipment.
A tragic mistake.
Compensation paid.
Case closed.
Rose opened her eyes.
“Mateo died because your company ignored warnings about exposed wiring.”
My grip tightened around my cane.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“I would have known.”
“Would you?”
The question hit harder than accusation.
I had built my empire on knowing everything.
But old age had taught me one brutal thing.
Powerful men often know only what other powerful men allow them to know.
Rose continued.
“Mateo kept records. Photos. Reports. Your son’s people took them after the funeral.”
“Charles was twenty-two then.”
“And already learning from lawyers.”
I stood very still.
“What did he offer you?”
“Money.”
“How much?”
“Enough to disappear.”
“And when you refused?”
Her mouth trembled.
“He made sure I could not work again.”
I looked around the apartment.
Cold walls.
Empty cupboards.
A sick woman who had once saved my child.
A boy kneeling in parks.
All of it suddenly connected to my name.
My fortune.
My blindness.
Noah came back, wiping his hands on his hoodie.
“What happened?”
Rose forced a smile.
“Nothing.”
He did not believe her.
Neither did I.
A knock hit the door.
Three sharp blows.
Noah froze.
Rose whispered, “Don’t open it.”
Malcolm, standing in the hallway, stepped in front of the door.
A man’s voice came from outside.
“Rose, we know the boy went to the pharmacy.”
Noah’s face went white.
I looked at him.
“Who is that?”
He whispered, “Landlord.”
The man knocked again.
“You got money now? Then you can pay.”
Rose tried to rise.
“No.”
I walked to the door.
Malcolm opened it.
A thick man in a leather jacket stood outside with two others behind him.
His eyes moved from Malcolm to me.
“Who are you?”
“The man wondering why you are threatening a sick woman.”
He laughed.
“She owes rent.”
“How much?”
“Three thousand.”
Rose whispered, “It’s not that much.”
The landlord’s face hardened.
“Fees.”
I looked at Malcolm.
“Pay the legal rent. Not a cent more. Get a receipt.”
The landlord smiled.
“Cash only.”
I smiled back.
“No.”
His smile faded.
Then he saw Malcolm’s badge from my private security firm.
And the lawyer’s number Malcolm was already dialing.
He left with threats muttered under his breath.
Noah stared at me.
“Why are you helping us?”
I looked at Rose.
“Because I should have helped years ago.”
My phone rang.
Charles.
I answered.
His voice was tight.
“Father, where are you?”
I looked at Rose’s pale face.
“With someone you tried very hard to keep poor.”
May you like
Silence.
Then Charles said, “Walk away.”
