Chapter 178
~HELENA~
“Uncle Henry! Uncle Henry p>
Jason and Ryan practically trampled me in their excitement, barreling past as we walked into Henry’s luxurious apartment. Their voices echoed off the high ceilings, full of joy and anticipation.
The last time I was here, it had been a brief tour. I’d been too happy that Henry was back in our lives to really look at the place… too grateful that he was successful, that he could help us.
Now, as I stepped inside, my stomach twisted.
I saw it for what it was: high-end luxury.
Floor-to-ceiling windows dominated one entire wall, offering a panoramic view of the city skyline that must have cost a fortune in rent alone.
Original artwork hung on the walls, pieces I recognised from articles I’d read about contemporary artists whose work sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars. A grand piano sat in the corner, polished to a mirror shine, looking like it had never been played.
The furniture was all designer, the rugs were Persian, and the lighting fixtures probably cost more than my entire year’s salary.
No expense had been spared. And I hated the suspicion that filled me like poison.
Henry came out from the kitchen, smiling with his arms wide open. “Helena! I’m so glad you finally came over properly. See? I told you it was a great place for the boys p>
He pulled me into a hug, and I caught his expensive cologne.
I forced a smile. “It’s beautiful, Henry. Really p>
“Come on, I ordered from that Japanese place you like. The expensive one downtown. No holding back today, we’re celebrating p>
“Celebrating what p>
“Family. Having you guys here.” His smile was genuine, warm. “I missed too many years. I want to make up for lost time p>
We ate at his massive dining table that could seat twelve people. The sushi was indeed from that expensive restaurant, the kind where a single roll costs forty dollars. The boys devoured theirs, chattering about school and games, oblivious to the tension coiling in my chest.
After dinner, Jason and Ryan bolted for Henry’s gaming room. I heard their excited shouts as they discovered the new VR headsets already set up and waiting.
Henry and I sat in his living room, he on the leather couch, me in an armchair that was somehow both comfortable and intimidating.
“So,” I started, trying to sound casual, “business is really booming, huh p>
“You have no idea, sis,” he said, leaning back with a satisfied smile. “My startup is finally paying off. All those years of grinding, all those late nights… it’s all coming together p>
“That’s amazing, Henry.” My voice felt thin, stretched. “What exactly does your company do again? I know you handle marketing and help startups p>
“Yeah. Like I did for Layla with Eclipse Beauty. We are also into tech consulting. Helping mid-size companies optimise their digital infrastructure. Boring stuff, really, but it pays well once you build a reputation p>
Tech consulting wouldn’t pay for this. Not this fast and not this much.
“Must be quite a reputation,” I said carefully. “Maybe… maybe with all your success, I could even come work for you? Get away from all the Eclipse Beauty drama p>
His eyes lit up immediately. “Really? I’d love that! We could work together, build something amazing. The Porter siblings taking on the business world p>
He leaned forward eagerly. “Actually, I’ve been thinking about expanding. Having someone I trust, someone with your organisational skills p>
His phone rang, cutting him off.
He glanced at the screen, and his expression shifted to surprise. “It’s Layla. That’s odd p>
My heart hammered. This was it, the signal we’d arranged.
He answered, putting it on speaker. “Layla, hello. What can I do for you p>
Even from where I sat, I could hear the frantic edge in Layla’s voice. “Henry, I’m so sorry to bother you, but I need you to come to the house. Now. It’s urgent p>
“Like now?” He looked over at me and the gaming room where the boys’ laughter echoed. “I’m actually having some family time with Helena and the boys. Can’t it wait until Monday p>
“I wish it could, but we have a major issue with the partnership projections. The numbers aren’t adding up, and we have a presentation to investors first thing Monday morning. I need your eyes on this ASAP p>
Henry’s jaw tightened slightly. I watched him, my heart pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it.
“I see,” he said, his tone shifting from family-man to businessman. “Yes, if it’s that urgent, I understand. I’ll be there soon p>
“Thank you, Henry. I really appreciate it. I know it’s an imposition p>
“No problem. That’s what partners are for, right?” He hung up and sighed heavily, turning to me. “I am so sorry, Helena. That was Layla. She needs me at the office urgently. Business crisis p>
“It’s fine, Henry,” I said, proud of how steady my voice sounded despite everything. “Go. Work is important. We’ll be fine here p>
“Are you sure? I feel terrible leaving you guys p>
“We’re fine. The boys are glued to those VR headsets anyway. They probably won’t even notice you’re gone p>
He smiled, but there was frustration in his eyes. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. An hour, maybe two tops. Just need to sort out these projections.” He stood, grabbing his keys from the counter and his jacket from the coat rack. “Make yourselves at home. There’s ice cream in the freezer, drinks in the fridge. Mi casa es su casa p>
He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, called out a goodbye to the boys that they barely acknowledged, and then he was gone.
The door clicked shut behind him.
Silence fell over the apartment, broken only by the muffled sounds of the boys’ gaming.
I sat there for a moment, staring at the closed door. The call from Layla had been a ploy, a carefully planned signal to get Henry out of the apartment, and it had worked perfectly.
I should be relieved. Instead, my heart was trying to beat its way out of my chest.
My brothers were safe, lost in their virtual worlds. They wouldn’t notice if I slipped away for a few minutes. I was alone.
I just had to look.
But what if I found something? What if Tye and Layla and Axel were right?
What if my brother really was a criminal?
I forced myself to stand, my legs feeling shaky. I walked down the hallway, past expensive art and designer furniture, toward the room Henry had gestured to briefly during the tour. The one he’d called his “home office” before quickly moving us along to show the boys the gaming room.
The door was closed. Not locked, just closed.
I stood in front of it, my hand hovering over the handle. This was it, the moment of truth.