Chapter 10: The Lie That Destroyed My Family
"Before she met you, she and I were engaged.""
Thomas's words seemed to drain every bit of warmth from the morning.
I looked at my father.
He hadn't moved.
His eyes remained fixed on the birth certificate in Laura's hands.
"That's a lie," Dad finally whispered.
Thomas shrugged.
"Believe whatever makes you feel better.""
Dad stepped toward him.
"Sarah never mentioned you. Not once. Not in twelve years.""
"Because she knew what would happen if you discovered the truth.""
I shook my head.
"Stop talking about my mother.""
Thomas looked at me.
"You deserve to know.""
"No. I deserve to know why there's a document claiming you're my biological father.""
Thomas gave a bitter smile.
"Because it's true.""
Dad turned away.
I had never seen him look so broken.
The investigator, Laura, immediately took control of the situation.
"Nobody touches that document. We'll need to verify its authenticity and establish how it entered these records.""
Thomas laughed.
"Go ahead. Test everything. I've been waiting fifteen years for this.""
Dad looked at him.
"Why?""
Thomas's smile disappeared.
"Because you got everything.""
"I got nothing from you!""
"You got Sarah. You got the house. You got the business. You got to raise my daughter.""
Dad's voice cracked.
"She's my daughter.""
Thomas shook his head.
"Not by blood.""
I stepped between them.
"Enough!""
Both men turned toward me.
I pointed at Thomas.
"You don't get to walk back into our lives after fifteen years and decide you're my father because you found a piece of paper.""
Then I turned toward Michael.
"Dad, look at me.""
He slowly lifted his eyes.
"You're my father. You're the man who stayed. You're the man who held my hand when I was sick, who taught me to ride a bicycle, who worked every night so I could go to college.""
His eyes filled with tears.
"I don't care what that document says.""
Thomas looked annoyed.
"That's a touching speech, Emily. But biology doesn't change because you give someone a medal.""
Dad stepped forward.
"Don't you ever speak to her like that again.""
Laura intervened.
"Mr. Reed, we need you to explain the circumstances surrounding this birth certificate.""
Thomas folded his arms.
"Sarah and I were together before Michael. When she became pregnant, I wasn't ready to settle down. I was trying to expand the family business.""
Dad shook his head.
"You told me you were leaving Atlanta because of a business opportunity.""
"I was.""
"And Sarah?""
Thomas looked away.
"She wanted to keep the baby.""
My chest tightened.
I turned toward Dad.
"Did you know?""
He shook his head.
"No, sweetheart. I swear.""
Thomas continued.
"Sarah came back to me years later. She wanted money for Emily. She wanted me to acknowledge her.""
"That's not true," Dad interrupted.
"Then explain why my name appears on the original family records.""
Dad looked at the ledger.
"I don't know.""
Laura carefully examined the birth certificate.
"There's a problem here.""
Thomas frowned.
"What problem?""
"The certificate number doesn't match the numbering system used by the county during the year listed.""
Thomas's expression changed.
Laura continued.
"We'll verify the document independently. But right now, this is not proof of biological parentage.""
Thomas laughed.
"Of course you'd say that.""
She looked at him.
"And I also need to know why your fingerprints appear on the envelope containing these records.""
Thomas said nothing.
Laura closed the folder.
"Mr. Reed, you'll need to accompany us for further questioning.""
Thomas stepped backward.
"On what grounds?""
"Your involvement in suspected financial fraud, attempted document falsification, and possible identity fraud.""
He looked at Dad.
"You think this is over?""
Dad stood beside me.
"No. I think it's finally beginning.""
Thomas was escorted toward the investigators' vehicle.
Before getting inside, he turned around.
"Ask Michael what happened the night Sarah died.""
Dad's face went pale.
Thomas smiled.
"Ask him why he never told you about the phone call.""
The car door closed.
I turned toward Dad.
"What phone call?""
He didn't answer.
"What's he talking about?""
Dad looked at the ground.
Then he whispered something I couldn't believe.
"Your mother called me that night.""
I grabbed his arm.
"What?""
"She called me from the hospital. She was frightened.""
"Why?""
He closed his eyes.
"She said someone had been following her. She said she needed to tell me something about Thomas.""
My voice trembled.
"And what did you say?""
"I told her I'd come immediately.""
He paused.
"But before I could leave the shop, I received another call. Someone told me there had been an accident on the highway involving a customer.""
I stared at him.
"What happened?""
"I went to help. By the time I reached the hospital, Sarah was gone.""
I felt tears burning behind my eyes.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I spent twelve years believing I had failed her.""
He looked at me.
"And I couldn't bear the thought of you believing it too.""
Laura approached us.
"Mr. Carter, there's one more thing. The hospital records from that night may help establish what happened.""
Dad nodded.
But then his phone vibrated.
A message had arrived from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph of an old hospital corridor.
Beneath it were seven words.
Your father didn't die. Ask about the doctor.
Dad stared at the screen.
May you like
Then he whispered:
"Thomas wasn't the only one who lied.""
