Chapter 3 - Julian’s Confession
The visiting room at the county jail smelled of bleach and despair. Julian sat across from me in an orange jumpsuit, looking ten years older than he had a week ago.
"I never wanted her dead, El," he rasped, picking at the edge of the metal table. "I was in debt. Two million dollars. Underground casinos. Marcus found out. He said he’d pay off the debt if I helped him get Mom to change her will so he'd get control instead of you."
"And when she refused?" I asked, my voice devoid of empathy.
"Chloe," Julian spat the name like poison. "It was Chloe’s idea. She was sleeping with Marcus for a year. She told him that if Mom died of 'natural causes' due to her COPD, nobody would ask questions. All I had to do was leave the back door unlocked so Chloe could slip in and mess with the oxygen tank."
"You let a murderer into our mother's house for money."
"I was terrified! They threatened me!" Julian slammed his hands on the table. "Elena, you have to help me. Tell the DA I was coerced. I'm your brother!"
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I looked at the man who shared my DNA. He was a stranger. A pathetic, greedy coward.
"You stopped being my brother the night you let Mom gasp for air alone in the dark," I said, standing up. "Enjoy prison, Julian."
