A/N: So there's a four week time jump from last chapter to this one. Sorry this chapter isn't as long as the others - the next several chapters aren't super long but they're all over 4,000 words (more if I decided to add anything to them). Chapter 12 (the last one) is going to be almost 8,000 though.

Also I hope you would all be interested in this series continuing - because the way this story ends is basically the same as the first. There will be some resolution to the current story, but also new questions which will propel us into another installment. (Part of me kind of wants to make this into a five part series because it's one up from Revenge's four seasons but I'm totally getting ahead of myself. One step at a time.) Anyways, enjoy this chapter and remember reviews are everything!

Disclaimer: I don't own Revenge.


March 17, 2017 3:03 p.m.

Long Island, New York

We all have people whom we trust. People who we think we know.

As Drew stood outside the doors to New Horizon Treatment Center, there was a knot of anxiety forming in his stomach. He checked his watch, only to see that it had only been one minute since he last checked. When he looked up again, he sighed in relief as he saw the figure making its way towards him.

"Oh thank God," Drew mumbled under his breath, before taking several long strides forward to reach Charlotte. The girl smiled, dropping her bag by their feet so that she could wrap both her arms around his neck in a hug.

"Hi," Charlotte sighed contently, taking a deep breath as they embraced each other. "Oh my God, I'm so glad to see you. I thought four weeks in there alone might drive me crazy."

Drew pulled away and picked her bag off the ground, but he kept his arm wrapped around Charlotte's waist as they walked towards his car. "I'm not gonna lie, I missed you like Hell. But how did it go?"

"It actually went…well." Charlotte said, meeting his eyes. "It was hard – no frills, no luxury. But for the first time, I didn't just tell them…what they wanted to hear. I told them the truth. And I actually felt…like someone understood why I always felt the need to do things like that. Like I actually understood why I always felt the need to do things like that. I thought I had to do it so people would see me. But now I don't have to anymore."

There are people whom we'd never expect to betray us.

Drew smiled as they reached his car, and he opened the door for her. "Well, I guess this means you can finally put that part of your past behind you."

As they both got settled in the car, Charlotte turned to him again, eyes wide. "Do you have my phone? Oh my God, I almost died in there having to use a payphone. I missed my cell." With a low chuckle, Drew reached into the cup holder and extended her iPhone to her. Charlotte literally squealed as she took it, typing in her passcode eagerly. "Oh Twitter, how much I've missed you!"

But that is exactly what betrayal is – it is a loss of trust, a disillusionment. It is a knife to the back that you did not see coming.

Drew shook his head and smiled as she watched her happily scroll through her feed, unable to contain her grin as the glow from the screen reflected in her eyes. "Well, since you're finally back, we're going to celebrate. Louise is throwing a homecoming party – she says it's to make up for the horrible Valentine's Day. Hopefully the cops won't come this time, right?"

Charlotte didn't give an answer – suddenly she lurched forward in her seat, her gleeful expression turning into one of confusion and then disgust. "Drew," She said, extending her phone to him. "Did you see this?"

It hurts a million times worse when the crushing blow comes from someone who you thought was your friend.


"We interrupt this program with a special news bulletin."

The gang all froze when they heard the blaring of the Action News music from the flat screen in Louise's living room. They'd all gathered at Ellis Manor to help set up for Charlotte's welcome home party, while the hostess ran about town organizing last minute preparations. Nolan looked up from filling the coolers with ice, while Olivia stopped mid-pouring chips into bowls. Hailey and Spencer were standing on chairs, pinning up a welcome home banner in the foyer, while Amanda and Jack were both on the couch folding napkins. Wordlessly, they all dropped what they were doing and congregated in front of the TV, everyone's eyes firmly trained on the screen which was now filled with a picture of Brett Chamberlain's face.

The news anchor looked into the camera with a neutral expression. "We have breaking news out of Long Island at this hour. After four weeks on the run, Wall Street CEO Brett Chamberlain – who is wanted for the murder of federal prosecutor Richard McKenzie and the attempted murder of another individual, whose name has not been released at this time – has been apprehended. Mr. Chamberlain was found hiding out at a motel in upstate New York, under an alias. It was there that police arrested him in the early hours of this morning. More details to come tonight on Action News at six…"

Nolan picked up the remote and flicked the TV off. "Well, that's the end of that." The others nodded in silent agreement, and Hailey placed a hand on Spencer's back.

"At least they finally caught him," The latter said, and Hailey rubbed his shoulder comfortingly.

Keeping her head down, Olivia got up and walked back into the kitchen. She didn't say anything as she got back to work, but in her mind she couldn't help but think about what Chamberlain had said to her that day at the hospital…

If the roles were reversed, could she honestly say that she wouldn't have done the same thing if those people had come to her and threatened her daughter?

As everyone got back up and went back to their duties, Nolan pulled out his phone. He was intending to text Louise the good news, when suddenly a notification popped up that caught him off guard.

Mason Treadwell releases first preview of his new tell-all book – and it's all about Nolan Ross!

Nolan's stomach dropped. "Hey," He called out to his friends. "Have any of you read Mason Treadwell's book preview?" He didn't see it, but at his words Amanda and Jack exchanged a wary look.

As Nolan read the preview, his horror only grew. It seemed that every sentence revealed more intimate details about his life – his schedule, the details of his cases, snippets from his private text and email conversations, interviews with people who he'd used to know. But it was the last sentence that chilled him to the bone: And while this former Clarke sidekick may be turning over a new leaf, his family tree holds an interesting tie to the past…Stay tuned, folks.

These were all things that Mason shouldn't have known – that he couldn't have known. A sinking realization hit Nolan.

He couldn't have known – that was, unless someone had told him.


As Louise walked down Southampton's main drag, she went through her pre-party checklist in her head. The caterer was lined up, they had drinks and decorations, she'd just gotten her dress from the dry cleaner…It seemed like they were ready to go.

She threw her garment bag over her shoulder so that she could pull her phone from her purse to text Nolan. She turned off the main road, starting to walk down an alley towards where she'd parked her car, when she heard something.

In addition to the pitter patter of her high heels, there was the sound of another, different pair of steps, perfectly in sync with hers.

Louise froze and looked over her shoulder, but saw no one – though she swore she spotted a shadow, disappearing around a corner.

Panic rising in her, Louise quickened her pace, only to hear the second pair of footsteps speed up as well. She practically broke into a sprint – as fast as she could in her heels anyway – until she reached her car. Tossing everything unceremoniously into the backseat, she climbed into the driver's seat and sped off.

As she pulled away, Louise glanced in her rearview mirror and that's when she caught sight of him – an unknown man, mid-thirties, muscular, close cropped blonde hair, angular jaw. And he was looking right at her.

There was no doubt in her mind – that night at the hospital wasn't all in her head. He'd been following her then, and he was following her now.

But why?


As Amanda and Jack walked into the beach house, neither of them said anything – both of them were preoccupied with the same thoughts whirling through their brains.

Carl perked up when he saw his father and stepmother return. "Hi Daddy! Hi Mommy!"

Jack gave him a weak attempt at a smile. "Hey, buddy. Did you have a fun afternoon?"

Gigi – the high school student who lived down the beach and was Carl's usual babysitter – got up from her seat on the couch and picked up her books. "I wasn't expecting the two of you back quite so soon." She walked over with a cheerful smile and stood next to Jack, their arms inches apart.

Amanda resisted the urge to scowl. "Yeah well, we finished early. You can go now Gigi, thank you." In truth, she wasn't Gigi's biggest fan – she put up with her because Carl liked it when she watched him, but it was obvious to her that the girl had a massive crush on Jack. Of course her husband was completely oblivious to it, but regardless Amanda didn't like an eighteen year old with dimples and a pushup bra batting her eyelashes at him.

"You know Mr. Porter," She was saying, twirling a lock of bottle blonde hair around her finger. "I have to say, I love that shirt on you. Is it new? It really brings out your beautiful blue eyes."

Jack gave her a look, clearly a little taken aback but still clueless. "Umm…thanks Gigi?" The young girl only smiled before waving goodbye to Carl and then heading for the door, "accidentally" brushing Jack's arm on her way out.

As soon as she heard the door slam shut, Amanda let out a groan she'd been holding in since they arrived. "Oh my God."

"What?" Jack asked, and Amanda rolled her eyes.

"Jack, she's flirting with you! She flirts with you every time we see her, even though I'm right there. It's so annoying."

Jack raised an eyebrow at her. "Are you jealous?" Amanda looked away, clearly avoiding the question, and he laughed. "Oh come on Amanda – she's in high school, she's a baby. I mean, her name is Gigi for God's sake! She can hit on me all she wants but it'll get her nowhere. You're the only woman I notice." He leaned in to kiss her and Amanda relented – he was right, of course. But she'd definitely be giving Gigi a stern talking to the next time she saw her…

"Anyways," She said, pulling away after a moment. "We have bigger pains in the –" She glanced at Carl. "– A-S-S to discuss. Like Mason Treadwell."

"How did he even find out that stuff about Nolan anyway? None of it was in the envelope we gave him!"

"I don't –" Amanda started to say, but then she cut herself off, her eyes going wide. "Wait a minute. Jack, where's the purse I was carrying the night of Louise's Valentine's Day party?"

"In our closet, why?" Without answering, Amanda brushed past him and raced up the stairs, taking them two at a time. "Amanda?" Jack called out after her, thoroughly confused, only to receive no answer. After casting a quick glance at Carl to make sure he was fine for the time being, Jack went up after her.

When he reached their closet he found Amanda sitting on the floor, rummaging through the bag she'd had with her on Valentine's Day. "That night at Louise's," She explained to Jack. "I brought the same purse I'd brought to the office that morning, and I didn't have time to switch out the contents. I had my work phone in here, my day planner…When we went to see Spencer, I left it behind in the waiting room. Mason probably snooped through everything."

"Okay…" Jack said. "So he wrote about Nolan's business and his daily routine – who cares?"

Amanda looked at him. "You don't get it, do you? Jack, that night at the hospital, Nolan gave me Hailey's birth certificate. And it's not here!"

At this, her husband froze. "Well…are you sure you didn't just misplace it?"

"No," Amanda said, shaking her head. "I meant to put it in my hiding spot in the floorboards, but I forgot. I haven't touched it since Nolan gave it to me, which means…" She trailed off. Which means Mason stole it.

Jack lowered himself onto the floor next to her. "Even if Mason has Hailey's birth certificate, that doesn't mean he knows that Nolan is her father."

"Of course he knows," Amanda sighed, on the verge of tears by this point. "He's been digging around Nolan and Olivia's history, he probably put the timeline together and realized the truth. God, this is all my fault. Why did I leave my purse behind? I don't make careless mistakes like this Jack…"

"Hey, look at me." Her husband said, placing his hands on the sides of her face. She met his eyes, her own filled with tears. "It was an accident, okay? And with a vulture like Mason circling, this probably would've gotten out eventually anyway…You can't blame yourself Amanda. You didn't want Nolan to get hurt. You were trying to protect him."

"Look," His wife said. "We have to fix this. Because when Mason releases the rest of his Nolan chapter…He's going to tell the world that Nolan is Hailey's dad."

Jack nodded. "So we're going to have to get to Nolan before he does."


"Hey, can I talk to you?"

Olivia paused, her hand on the Ellis Manor doorknob, when she heard Nolan call her name. When she turned back around, she saw him walking towards her, his expression hard to read. The truth was, they hadn't spoken more than two words to each other since he'd confronted her about Hailey's paternity on Valentine's Day, so she was a little more than surprised that he was initiating a conversation. "Sure," She said. "Talk."

With a sigh, Nolan held up his phone screen and she caught a glimpse of a headline: Mason Treadwell releases first preview of his new tell-all book – and it's all about Nolan Ross! "Did you talk to Mason about me?"

Olivia's eyes went wide at the accusation. "What? No! Why would I talk to Mason Treadwell about you? I don't even know him!"

"Maybe because you're the only person who had a reason to go behind my back."

"What? Are you serious right now? Nolan, why would I have told Mason Treadwell stuff about your business?"

"Maybe because you're angry with me?"

"I'm not angry with you! You're the one who's angry with me!"

"Well after all those lies, I guess I just can't help but wonder if you're lying to me now right?"

The two of them stared at each other for a moment, both of them hot with anger. Finally, Olivia sighed. "Look Nolan, I know you have every reason to hate me right now, and I've been trying to give you space because I feel terrible…but I didn't tell Mason anything about you. Please, you have to believe me."

After a moment, Nolan looked away. "You're right." He gave in. "I'm sorry."

Olivia relaxed a little bit. "It's okay, I deserved it…What did Mason say about you?"

"Not that much, it's only a preview. But he had some of my personal messages, case files, documents…It's almost like…like he hacked into the office iCloud."

Olivia gave him a look. "Writer, bon mot tosser, and aspiring hacker? Does Mason even know how to turn on a computer?"

Nolan shrugged. "But the only other explanation is…that someone gave him access."

"Someone like who?"

"I don't know…" He sighed. "Liv I'm just…I'm really scared. What if Mason…found out about Hailey somehow? In his excerpt, he made a passing reference to my family tree. What if he knows that I'm her…you know?"

Olivia look at him for a moment in silent contemplation. "Well who has access to all that information besides you? Louise?"

Nolan shook his head. "No – most of the conversations Mason published didn't involve her, and she has no idea about Hailey."

"Charlotte? Spencer? Drew?"

"Same for all of them."

"What about Hailey?"

Nolan scoffed. "Please – I haven't even told her the truth yet. There's no way she could've possibly tipped off Treadwell."

Olivia frowned, knowing there was only one possibility left. "Nolan, is there any possibility that Amanda and Jack –"

Nolan looked up at her, and firmly cut her off mid-sentence. "No." He said decisively. "There is no way. Amanda and Jack are my best friends – they'd never do this to me."


"Hey, you."

Hailey smiled as Spencer greeted her at the door, before stepping inside his condo. "Well?" She said, gesturing to the little gold cocktail dress she wore. "You like?"

Spencer grinned. "I love. Come on, make yourself at home." She walked inside Spencer's house, while he went back into the kitchen. "Do you want a drink before the party?"

"I'm good, thanks." Hailey said, waving him off. "How are you feeling?"

Spencer rolled his eyes at her playfully. "Hailey, I'm fine. Just like I said I was the first dozen times you asked. The doctor said I'm healing perfectly."

Hailey smiled and closed the distance between them, touching his arm. "I just worry about you, that's all."

They were interrupted by a knock at the door, and Hailey could not contain her excitement. Practically squealing, she raced over to answer and threw her arms around Charlotte's neck before she could even say 'hello'. "Oh, Charlie! I missed you so much!"

Charlotte laughed and reciprocated the hug, casting a glance at Drew over her shoulder. "I missed you too, Hailes."

The two friends pulled apart and Hailey led the other duo inside. "Come in, come in! We have so much catching up to do!"

Spencer watched with a smile for a moment as the two girls chatted excitedly, happy to be reunited, but then he was distracted by a ping from his phone. When he looked, a news banner ran across the top.

EXCLUSIVE: Mason Treadwell's FULL Nolan Ross chapter released – and he's spilling a MAJOR paternity bombshell!

Curiosity and confusion overcoming him, Spencer clicked it and began to read. As he absorbed the full meaning of the words in front of him, his eyes went wide with shock. Without realizing it the glass he was holding fell from his hands, and shattered on the floor.

At the sound the other three all looked at him, all wondering what had him so perturbed. "Spence?" Drew asked cautiously. "Are you alright?

"I…" Spencer stammered, at a loss for words. "I umm…"

"Are you in pain?" Hailey asked, turning her attention away from Charlotte and Drew to walk back over to him. When she reached him, she noticed the phone clenched in his other hand. "Spencer?"

When he said nothing, his eyes still locked on the screen, she ripped the cell from his grasp. "Hailey, no –" He started to say, but it was too late – Spencer could only watch as she read the same sentence which had taken his breath away moments earlier. He saw the look in her eyes turn from confusion to shock, her mouth falling open. "Hailey…"

Without a word, she slammed the phone down on the table and stormed off.


Every betrayal comes with an element of surprise.

On the surface, Charlotte's homecoming party seemed to be going perfectly well – as Louise examined the guests who were sprawled throughout her house, she saw nothing but content faces, laughing, talking, and taking food off the hors d'oeuvres trays. But internally, she felt so uneasy. The hand gripping her lemonade was shaking, causing the ice cubes to bounce off the sides of her glass. As she walked through the party, all Louise could think was one thing: that he could be there right now. There were over a hundred people around – he could've easily snuck inside. Or worse, he could've sent someone else in to get her…

Louise froze in place when she saw something. There was a man standing with his back facing her – blonde hair short, appropriate height, muscular frame. She marched over before she realized what she was doing and grabbed him by the shoulder. "Hey!"

When you see a blow coming, you have time to deflect, and it hurts less.

The man spun around instantly and Louise's immediately realized her error – it wasn't him. And now some poor, random fellow was looking at her like she was crazy. She stepped back, her hand over her heart. "Oh my word. My apologies." Her cheeks feeling out from embarrassment, she brushed past him and his companions and walked in the other direction. Great, now they were probably going to tell everyone that socialite Louise Ellis was crazier than an outhouse rat…

She stopped at the bar to refill her drink and grabbed a passing caterer. "Excuse me sugar," She said, before promptly filling up a napkin with half of the bacon wrapped scallops on the tray. She patted him on the back. "Good work." The waiter only forced a smile before continuing to walk around the party, and Louise shoved some food into her mouth – was she losing her freaking mind?

But a true betrayal cannot be foreseen, because it comes from the person – or people – who you trust the most.

"Louise!"

She turned her head and immediately spotted a frantic looking Jack and Amanda Porter walking over to her. "Why, don't the two of you look so –"

"Not the time," Amanda interjected. "Have you seen Nolan?"

"Nolan?" Louise said. "I think he's at the table -" Amanda and Jack didn't even let her finish, brushing right past and heading off in the direction she'd indicated. Curiosity overcoming her, Louise deposited her snacks on the nearest table and followed.

"Nolan," Jack called out, spotting their friend at the table where Louise had said he'd be. Nolan looked up and when he saw his three friends approaching, he got to his feet.

"Hey," He said, giving them a half-smile. "What's going –"

"Nolan," Amanda said. "We need to talk to you right now. It's about Hailey."

"Hailey? What about Hailey?"

"Look," Jack began. "We don't know how to tell you this, so we're just going to come out and say it. Hailey –"

Everyone stays on their toes around their enemies. But when you believe you are among friends, you let your guard down.

They were suddenly cut off by the sound of applause as Charlotte, the woman of the hour, arrived with Drew on her arm. She could barely even acknowledge the gesture before Hailey shoved past, and everyone's attention immediately went to her. She was crying as she walked over determinedly, and Spencer was running after her – it wasn't exactly subtle. "Hailey! Stop!"

Olivia rushed over as soon as she saw her hysterical daughter, reaching Nolan and the group just as Hailey did, Spencer, Charlotte and Drew close behind. "Hailey, honey, what's going on?"

"Hailey," Spencer cautioned. "Please, don't -"

But Hailey ignored him. She looked Nolan dead in the eye, tears streaming down my face. "Are you my father?"

Behind her, Charlotte's eyes were as wide as saucers, while Drew was visibly shocked by this question. Louise's red lips formed a perfect little 'o', Spencer closed his eyes, and Olivia went pale. Amanda and Jack shared a look – they were too late.

Nolan gulped. Everyone was looking at him, taking in the very public confrontation with eager eyes. Hailey meanwhile was waiting for an answer, not breaking eye contact even though she was still crying. He sighed. "...Yes."

So when the blow comes it is extra painful.

There was a collective gasp around the room from those who had yet to read Mason Treadwell's chapter, while the rest remained engrossed in the scene before them. Hailey looked away, gasping for breath – the news was even more shocking coming out of Nolan's mouth. Until now, a part of her hadn't believed it was true. Spencer reached to touch her shoulder, but she shoved him off. "How long have you known?" She asked Nolan.

He looked down at the ground. "...Four weeks," He whispered.

By this point, Hailey's vision was blurry – partially from her sobbing, and partially from her sheer anger. Olivia stepped forward tentatively, her own eyes filled with tears by this point. "Hailey, I'm so sorry. I didn't want you to find out like this. If I could go back in time, I would've told you from the start…"

Hailey's head snapped up. "Twenty years. You lied to me about my father for almost twenty years?" Olivia shrunk back, the shame written all over her face, and Hailey turned to Nolan now. "And you! You lied to me too?"

"Hailey," Nolan began, shaking his head. "I...I didn't know how you'd take it…" He stepped forward but Hailey pulled back, so he couldn't touch her.

"Were you ever going to tell me?"

"I was -"

"When?!"

Nolan couldn't meet her eyes. "I...I don't know."

Bullets, stab wounds, broken hearts – they are all temporary. But the pain of knowing someone you loved betrayed you…

Hailey laughed in disgust. "You know what?" She said, looking at Nolan and then Olivia. "Both of you just stay away from me, alright? I don't want anything to do with either of you. As far as I'm concerned..." She shook her head. "I don't have parents anymore." Before anyone could stop her, she shoved past Spencer and stormed out.

and that the trust that once existed between you is broken, possibly forever…

Everyone stood in stunned silence – Olivia was bawling by this point, and Nolan was in shock. Amanda mumbled his name, but when he turned to look at her there was anger in his eyes. "Did the two of you tell Mason?" He asked her and Jack, and the couple only stared at him, unsure of what to say. "Answer me!"

"Nolan…" Jack said. "It was an accident…"

Their friend scoffed. "I can't believe you…" He said, shaking his head and turning to go.

"Nolan, please –" Amanda said desperately, reaching out for him, but he didn't stop to hear them out. He just left.

I think that hurts most of all.

The remaining revengers could only stand there, all of them too stunned to say anything. Slowly, Louise lifted her glass to her lips. "Well," She said to herself. "Welcome back everyone…"