Richard held out his hand for the document. “Give it to me, Julian. Let the lie become the foundation. For the sake of the child. For the sake of the name.”
Siena felt the tension in Julian’s arm. This was the ultimate temptation—the chance to keep the boy they had grown to love, to keep the "Sanctuary" intact, to win the war against Elena and Leo by simply staying silent. It was exactly what Julian’s grandfather would have done.
Julian looked at Siena. He saw the silk bags in her hand. He saw the honesty in her eyes—the same honesty that had drawn him to the valley in the first place.
“No,” Julian said.
Richard Vance froze. “Excuse me?”
“I won’t build my home on a lie, Richard,” Julian said, his voice gaining strength. “Not even for him. If I keep this secret, I am no better th
