Chapter 8:The Man Who Chose To Lie
640 Words
Charles Hart stood in the magnificent living room of Lancaster Mansion.
His eyes wandered across the priceless paintings, crystal chandeliers, and antique furniture.
He swallowed nervously.
He had spent years dreaming of becoming part of the Lancaster family's wealth.
Now, he stood inside their home as an unwanted guest.
Edward Lancaster descended the grand staircase with Isabella beside him.
Charles's eyes immediately fell on Isabella.
She looked completely different.
Gone was the timid girl who always sought his approval.
Standing before him was a confident woman dressed in an elegant white suit, wearing the Lancaster family necklace with pride.
For a moment, he almost didn't recognize her.
"Isabella..." he called softly.
She didn't answer.
Instead, she looked at him as though he were a stranger.
Edward spoke first.
"You asked for this meeting. Speak."
Charles forced a smile.
"I came to apologize."
He turned toward Isabella.
"I'm sorry for everything that happened at the wedding."
"I shouldn't have believed those lies."
"I was angry."
"I made a mistake."
Isabella's expression remained unreadable.
"A mistake?"
Charles nodded quickly.
"Yes."
"Please come home."
"The Hart family needs you."
For the first time, Isabella smiled.
But it wasn't a warm smile.
It was cold.
"You don't miss me."
"You miss the Lancaster heiress."
Charles's smile disappeared.
"What do you mean?"
She slowly walked toward him.
"When I left your house with nothing..."
"Did you come looking for me?"
Charles remained silent.
"When I cried and begged you to believe me..."
"Did you?"
Silence.
"You disowned me."
"You told the whole world I wasn't your daughter anymore."
"So tell me..."
"Which home do you want me to return to?"
Charles lowered his head.
"I was wrong."
"I'll do anything to make it up to you."
Edward laughed bitterly.
"Anything?"
He placed a thick file on the coffee table.
Charles frowned.
"What is this?"
Edward opened it.
Inside were copies of bank transfers, forged birth certificates, and old letters.
Charles's face turned pale.
"Where... where did you get these?"
Edward's voice grew icy.
"For twenty-three years..."
"You lied to me."
"You told me Amelia's child had died."
"You forged legal documents."
"You hid my granddaughter."
"You stole her inheritance."
Each sentence struck Charles like a hammer.
"I... I can explain..."
Edward slammed his hand on the table.
"Then explain!"
The room fell silent.
Charles took a deep breath.
"I was afraid."
Edward narrowed his eyes.
"Afraid of what?"
Charles closed his eyes.
"Afraid that if you found Isabella..."
"...my family would lose everything."
"I wanted my own children to inherit my business."
"I thought..."
"If Isabella stayed hidden..."
"Nothing would change."
Isabella felt her heart shatter.
"So..."
"You never loved me?"
Charles looked at her with tears in his eyes.
"I did."
"I still do."
"But greed blinded me."
"I made terrible choices."
A single tear rolled down Isabella's cheek.
She had waited her whole life to hear him admit the truth.
But instead of bringing peace...
It only made the betrayal hurt even more.
Edward stood.
"Charles Hart."
"From today onward..."
"You are forbidden from contacting my granddaughter."
"If you step onto Lancaster property again..."
"I'll make sure you answer for every crime you've committed."
Charles looked desperately at Isabella.
"Please..."
"Don't hate me."
She wiped away her tears.
"I don't hate you."
Charles looked hopeful.
Then Isabella finished.
"I simply don't have a father anymore."
Those words pierced his heart.
The guards stepped forward.
"Mr. Hart."
"This way."
Charles slowly walked toward the door.
Just before leaving...
His phone vibrated.
He glanced at the message.
His face turned white.
The message read:
"You talked too much. You're next."
Charles looked around in panic.
Across the street...
A man wearing a black cap lowered a pair of binoculars.
Then...
He raised a sniper rifle.
The red laser sight stopped...
Directly on Charles Hart's chest.
- Writer
