Chapter 2 - Shadows at the Funeral
The rain over Rosehill Cemetery was persistent and cold. A modest crowd gathered around the open plot where Sarah Harper was laid to rest.
Christopher stood at the edge of the tent, wearing a dark trench coat. Beside him stood Madison in a black dress, a warm wool blanket tucked around her legs in her wheelchair. In front of them, three stroller seats held Tommy, Jake, and Leo, each dressed in small navy coats, entirely unaware of the permanent shift in their world.
A sleek black town car pulled up along the muddy gravel path. A man in an expensive tailored coat stepped out, holding an umbrella.
Julian Harper.
Julian was Sarah’s older brother—a disgraced former hedge fund manager who had squandered his own inheritance on failed investments and high-stakes gambling in Macao.
Julian walked under the tent, ignoring the funeral service entirely, his eyes sweeping over the three identical toddlers and stopping on Madison.
"Christopher Pierce," Julian said, his voice loud enough to turn heads among the few mourners. "I didn't expect a billionaire CEO to waste his afternoon at a charity case's funeral."
Christopher didn't flinch. He stepped between Julian and Madison's wheelchair. "Show some respect, Julian. Your sister just passed away."
"My sister was a fool who kept millions in a trust meant for her heirs," Julian sneered, pulling a legal document from his breast pocket. "And as her next of kin, I’ve already filed for emergency custody of the triplets and the execution of the Harper estate trust."
Madison shrank back into her wheelchair, clutching her pink backpack tightly.
Julian grinned coldly, looking down at the girl. "And as for the crippled girl... she’s not a Harper by blood. Her father was a nobody. The state can handle her special needs."
Before Julian could finish his sentence, Christopher grabbed him by the lapels of his coat and shoved him out from under the tent into the pouring rain.
May you like
"Listen to me very carefully, Julian," Christopher hissed, his voice lethal and low. "If you even look in the direction of these children again, I will buy every debt you owe in this city, foreclose on your home, and ensure you spend the next decade in federal court fighting bankruptcy."
Julian stumbled back in the mud, his face contorting with rage. "You think your money makes you invincible, Pierce? You aren't married to Sarah! You have no legal rights to that girl, and you haven't even proven those boys are yours! See you in court!"
