The Heir They Buried

Daniel had rehearsed the question three times on the drive to the restaurant. He hated himself for it. He was twenty-six years old, not sixteen. He shouldn't have needed to practice asking his girlfriend a question. Still, he had. Ariana, will you marry me? Too direct. Do you see us getting married someday? Too soft. What do you think about marriage? That sounded like an old man trying to start a serious conversation. He checked the small box in his jacket pocket. The ring was still there. Good. His hand dropped from the pocket. Bad. He took it out and stared at it for a second. It wasn't huge. Ariana hated things that looked like they were meant to show off. He had spent almost four months saving for it. It wasn't a billionaire's ring. It was his ring. And tonight, he planned to give it to her. The car stopped outside the restaurant. Daniel looked through the window. Warm lights filled the dining room. A black car waited near the entrance. Valets moved between expensive vehicles while people in suits and evening dresses walked inside. He straightened his jacket. Then he laughed under his breath. “Relax.” The driver glanced at him in the mirror. Daniel smiled. “Sorry.” He stepped out. The restaurant was one of the most expensive places in Manhattan, the kind of place Daniel normally avoided. Ariana loved it, though. They had been dating for nearly four years. He still remembered their first date. A cheap pizza place. Rain outside. A broken heater. Ariana had spent twenty minutes making fun of the terrible music playing in the restaurant. Daniel had known then. Maybe not love. Not immediately. But something close. Something dangerous enough to become love later. He walked inside. The hostess smiled. “Mr. Cross?” “Yes.” “Your table is ready.” Daniel followed her toward the back. Then he stopped. Something was wrong. Ariana was already there. That wasn't the problem. The problem was who was sitting across from her. Julian Black. Daniel knew him immediately. Everybody did. Julian Black wasn't just rich. He was one of those men whose name appeared in business magazines even when he hadn't done anything worth reading about. Thirty years old. Head of Blackwell Capital. Young billionaire. The kind of man who appeared on magazine covers with watches that cost more than houses. Daniel's feet stopped moving. Ariana looked up. Their eyes met. For half a second, something passed across her face. Fear. Then it was gone. “Daniel.” He didn't move. “What is he doing here?” Julian leaned back in his chair. “Good evening.” Daniel looked at Ariana. “You asked me to come here.” “I know.” He walked toward the table. There were three glasses. Three plates. Not two. His stomach tightened. He looked at Ariana again. “You didn't tell me he would be here.” “I was going to.” “When?” She opened her mouth. Nothing came out. Julian stood. He held out his hand. “Julian Black.” Daniel stared at the hand. “I know who you are.” Julian smiled. “I assumed you did.” Daniel didn't shake it. Julian slowly lowered his hand. “Sit down,” Ariana said. Daniel pulled out the chair. He sat. Nobody spoke for several seconds. He looked at Ariana. She looked different. Not because of her dress. Not because of her makeup. Something in her face had changed. She looked like someone preparing for bad news. Daniel smiled faintly. “So?” Ariana's fingers tightened around her glass. “I need to tell you something.” His chest tightened. “Okay.” Julian looked at her. Ariana looked at him. Then she turned back to Daniel. “I've made a decision.” Daniel waited. “I've decided to be with Julian.” He heard the words. He just didn't understand them. For several seconds, he sat there. Then he laughed. Not because it was funny. Because his mind refused to accept it. “You're joking.” Ariana's eyes filled with tears. “No.” Daniel looked at Julian. Julian didn't look away. Daniel turned back to Ariana. “Since when?” Silence. “Ariana.” “Three months.” He stared at her. “Three months?” She nodded. “You've been seeing him for three months?” “Yes.” Daniel leaned back. His chair felt too hard. The room around him seemed to keep moving. People laughed at nearby tables. A waiter walked past carrying a bottle of champagne. Someone near the window was telling a joke. Normal life. His life was falling apart at the table, and everybody else was eating dinner. “You told me you loved me.” Ariana closed her eyes. “I know.” “You told me I was the man you wanted.” “I know.” “You met my mother two weeks ago.” “I know.” Daniel's voice dropped. “Why?” Ariana looked at Julian. That hurt more than anything. Julian reached for her hand. Daniel watched their fingers meet. That was the moment something inside him broke. Not the announcement. Not the months of lies. That. Her hand in Julian's. Daniel looked at the ring box in his pocket. He suddenly felt stupid. He had planned a future with her. She had planned another one with someone else. “Does he love you?” Ariana looked at him. “Yes.” Daniel looked at Julian. Julian's face stayed calm. “Do you love her?” “Yes.” It was the certainty that got him. No hesitation. No shame. Just yes. Daniel gave a small laugh. “So that's it.” “Daniel—” “No.” He stood. Ariana rose too. “Please.” “You should have told me.” “I couldn't.” “You couldn't?” Her voice shook. “There were things you didn't understand.” “Then explain them.” “I can't.” Daniel stared at her. “Then don't ask me to understand.” He turned. Julian spoke behind him. “Daniel.” He stopped. Slowly, Daniel looked over his shoulder. Julian remained seated. “You should let her go.” Daniel studied him. “You don't get to tell me what to do.” Julian's expression didn't change. “You'll understand soon.” Daniel frowned. “Understand what?” Julian said nothing. Ariana looked frightened. That bothered Daniel. He had expected guilt. Maybe relief. Not fear. He looked from her to Julian. “What is going on?” Neither answered. Daniel shook his head. “Forget it.” He walked away. Outside, the cold air hit him. He stood on the sidewalk. Cars moved past. People walked by. Nobody cared. Why would they? To everyone else, it was just another breakup. Daniel put his hand into his pocket. He pulled out the ring box. He opened it. The diamond caught the streetlight. He stared at it. Then he closed the box. His phone vibrated. Unknown number. Daniel frowned and opened the message. You should've listened when we told you to stay away from Ravenwood. He read it twice. Then a third time. Ravenwood. What the hell was that? Another message came. This is your last warning. Daniel looked up. Across the street, a black car was parked. Its windows were dark. He couldn't see the driver. Then the car moved. Daniel watched it disappear into traffic. He looked back at the restaurant. Ariana was standing by the window. Watching him. And for the first time that night, Daniel realized something. She wasn't looking at him like an ex-girlfriend. She was looking at him like someone who was afraid he was about to die.