Chapter 10: The Father Behind the Lie
I couldn’t move.
The man standing in front of me was someone I had mourned for years.
Someone whose death had shaped every decision I made.
My father.
Ethan Cole.
The person I buried.
The person whose empty chair I stared at every holiday.
The person I thought I would never see again.
My voice barely came out.
“How?””
My father looked at me.
His eyes were filled with pain.
“I wish I had an answer that made this easier.””
I stepped backward.
“No.””
Everyone was silent.
Claire looked at me, then at him.
My mother covered her mouth.
She had known.
She had known all along.
“You were alive?””
My father nodded.
“I was.””
The anger came before the shock disappeared.
“You let me believe you were dead.””
His face dropped.
“I did.””
“Why?””
He looked at Vanessa.
Then at the evidence scattered across the room.
“Because I found out what Richard and Vanessa were planning.””
I laughed bitterly.
“So everyone knew except me?””
My father flinched.
That reaction hurt more than an argument.
“I was trying to protect you.””
“Protect me?””
My voice rose.
“You watched me lose my wife.””
“I know.””
“You watched me hate her.””
“I know.””
“You watched me believe she betrayed me.””
His eyes filled with regret.
“I know.””
The room went quiet.
Because there was no excuse.
Only damage.
Claire stepped closer.
“Ethan…”
My father looked at her.
“I’m sorry, Claire.””
She looked away.
“I spent a year trying to survive because your son believed a lie.””
“I know.””
“No.””
Her voice trembled.
“You don’t know.””
My father lowered his head.
“You’re right.””
That was the first honest answer anyone had given me in a long time.
I looked at him.
“Tell me everything.””
He took a deep breath.
“Richard was stealing from the company.””
I nodded.
“I know.””
“But Vanessa was not only helping him.””
My eyes narrowed.
“What else?””
My father looked at Claire.
“She was obsessed with controlling your life.””
Vanessa laughed.
“Don’t listen to him.””
Everyone turned.
She stood near the doorway.
For the first time, she looked nervous.
My father continued.
“She knew Claire was pregnant.””
My fists tightened.
“And?””
“She knew the children would change everything.””
My father looked at me.
“Because your father’s trust agreement protected Claire and any children you had.””
The pieces connected.
Vanessa didn’t just want my money.
She wanted my future.
She wanted my family gone.
“She wanted me alone.””
My father nodded.
“Yes.””
Vanessa stepped forward.
“You’re all acting like I’m the monster.””
Nobody answered.
She looked at me.
“Adrian, do you really think Claire was innocent?””
I stared at her.
“I know she was.””
Vanessa’s face hardened.
“You’re choosing her over me?””
I looked at Claire.
At the woman who stood beside me even after I destroyed her.
“Yes.””
The answer was simple.
And Vanessa hated it.
Her expression changed completely.
“You have no idea what you’ve done.””
She turned toward the door.
“Richard was right.””
I stepped forward.
“Where is Richard?””
She smiled.
“You’ll find out soon.””
Before anyone could stop her, she pulled out her phone.
A loud alarm sounded.
The lights in the mansion suddenly went dark.
Again.
But this time, I knew it wasn’t an accident.
Someone had planned it.
Marcus shouted:
“Everyone stay together!””
A noise came from upstairs.
A door opening.
Then footsteps.
My father looked toward the second floor.
His face changed.
“No.””
I turned.
“What?””
He whispered:
“They found the original files.””
“What files?””
He looked at me.
“The ones that can put them in prison.””
The emergency lights turned on.
Vanessa was gone.
And on the floor where she had been standing…
Was a single piece of paper.
I picked it up.
My blood froze.
May you like
Because written on it were five words.
*The babies are not safe.*
