Chapter 11: The Man Who Lost His Daughter
I watched the video three times.
The first time, I couldn’t process it.
The second time, I looked for signs that Lily was hurt.
The third time, I only stared at Ethan’s face.
The man who claimed to be my daughter’s biological father.
The man who had disappeared before I ever knew his name.
I wanted to hate him.
Maybe I should have.
But there was something in his expression.
Pain.
Not anger.
Not satisfaction.
Pain.
The video continued.
“Adam, I know you probably hate me.””
I almost laughed.
He was right.
“I know what you’ve been told.””
Ethan looked at Lily.
“She was never supposed to grow up without knowing me.””
My jaw tightened.
“Then why did you let it happen?””
The question came out even though he couldn’t hear me.
Rebecca started crying behind me.
I ignored her.
The video continued.
“I was told my daughter died.””
The room went quiet.
“I believed that for six years.””
Lily looked at him.
“Are you my daddy?””
Ethan looked like those words broke him.
He knelt beside her.
“I don’t know if I deserve that.””
My chest tightened.
Because I knew that question.
I had asked myself the same thing.
Every parent wonders if they’re enough.
But Lily didn’t need another person making promises.
She needed safety.
Ethan looked back at the camera.
“Adam, I didn’t take her to hurt you.””
“Then why?””
“Because someone was trying to hurt her.””
The video ended.
I stared at the black screen.
Then I turned toward Rebecca.
“You knew.””
She covered her mouth.
“I knew Ethan was alive.””
The words were almost impossible to hear.
“How long?””
“A year.””
I felt numb.
“A year?””
She nodded.
“He contacted me.””
“And you didn’t tell me?””
“No.””
“Why?””
Her eyes filled.
“Because I was afraid he would take her.””
I looked at her.
“You already took him away from her.””
That hurt her.
Good.
Because Lily had spent six years carrying pain she never deserved.
Daniel sat down heavily.
“This is bigger than Rebecca.””
I looked at him.
“Don’t.””
He stopped.
“I’m not interested in what you think.””
He nodded.
Fair.
But then Claire spoke.
“Adam, there is something else.””
I closed my eyes.
Of course there was.
“What now?””
She looked toward the video.
“Ethan didn’t take Lily because of custody.””
“Then why?””
“Because he found proof.””
“Proof of what?””
Claire hesitated.
“The accident.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
Again.
That word.
“Explain.””
Claire took a breath.
“Ethan was investigating Daniel.””
I looked at him.
Daniel’s face changed.
“You knew?””
“You knew he was looking?””
Daniel looked away.
Claire continued.
“Ethan discovered someone had tampered with the car.””
I looked at Rebecca.
Then Daniel.
“Who?””
Claire’s voice became quiet.
“That’s what he was trying to prove.””
Daniel stood.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.””
Claire looked at him.
“I know exactly what I’m talking about.””
For the first time, Daniel looked afraid.
Not guilty.
Afraid.
My phone buzzed again.
Another message.
This time, Ethan.
A location.
And one sentence.
*“Come alone if you want to know who caused the crash.””*
I grabbed my jacket.
Rebecca stood.
“Adam, wait.””
I looked at her.
“No.””
“Please.””
I shook my head.
“You lied to me for six years.””
She cried.
“I was trying to protect Lily.””
I looked toward the stairs.
“Then start protecting her now.””
I walked out.
But before I reached the door, Daniel grabbed my arm.
“Don’t go.””
I pulled away.
“Why?””
His face was pale.
“Because if Ethan found what I think he found…”
He stopped.
“What?””
May you like
Daniel looked at me.
“You might not be ready for who actually caused the accident.””
