Chapter 7: The Father Who Controlled Everything
Ethan read the note again.
Then he crushed it in his fist.
"My father has been dead for four years," he whispered.
Richard took the paper from him.
"Who gave this to Vanessa?""
"I don't know.""
"Did your father ever discuss your medical condition with Daniel?""
Ethan looked toward the hospital windows.
"My father discussed everything with Daniel. Business, inheritance, investments. He treated him like the son who could do no wrong.""
"And you?""
Ethan laughed bitterly.
"I was the son expected to inherit the empire. Daniel was the son who actually understood how to run it.""
I watched him.
For the first time, I wondered whether Ethan's arrogance had always been a disguise for something deeper.
His father had controlled his life.
His brother had controlled his medical records.
And now his mistress appeared to know more about his family than his own wife ever had.
"Richard," I said, "we need to find out who knew about the original medical report.""
Richard nodded.
"I've already requested the hospital's archived records.""
Ethan turned sharply.
"Why?""
"Because the surgical consent form contains an unusual instruction. We need to establish whether your father interfered with your medical treatment.""
"My father wouldn't do that.""
Richard raised an eyebrow.
"Then the records should prove it.""
Before Ethan could respond, a nurse approached.
"Mr. Blackwood, Ms. Reed is asking for you.""
Ethan immediately moved toward the door.
I followed at a distance.
Vanessa was sitting upright in her hospital bed. Her makeup had run down her cheeks, and her expensive dress had been replaced by a pale hospital gown.
When she saw Ethan, she began crying.
"Darling, I thought something terrible had happened.""
Ethan stood beside the bed.
"Who is the father?""
Vanessa's face went still.
"What?""
"You heard me.""
She glanced at me.
"Why is she here?""
"Answer the question.""
Vanessa reached for his hand.
"Ethan, I'm carrying your child.""
"Then why did Daniel arrange your medical appointments?""
"Because he was helping us!""
"Why did he pay for your pregnancy verification?""
"Because you were busy!""
Ethan pulled his hand away.
"Why did you know about my fertility results before I did?""
Vanessa began shaking her head.
"Daniel told me you had a medical problem. He said it was temporary.""
"How long have you known?""
"Since last year.""
Ethan stared at her.
"Last year?""
She wiped her face.
"He said you were receiving treatment. He promised everything would be fine.""
I stepped closer.
"Did Daniel tell you to pretend the baby was Ethan's?""
Vanessa glared at me.
"Stay out of this.""
"That's an interesting answer from someone who has spent months living off my husband's money.""
Ethan raised his hand.
"Olivia, let her speak.""
Vanessa looked between us.
Then she began crying harder.
"Daniel told me Ethan needed an heir. He said the family trust would be transferred if there was a legitimate child.""
"And you agreed?"" Ethan asked.
"I loved him!""
The room fell silent.
Ethan's expression changed.
"You loved Daniel?""
Vanessa covered her mouth.
It was too late.
"How long?"" Ethan demanded.
She shook her head.
"Please.""
"HOW LONG?""
"Before you and Olivia got married.""
Ethan stepped away from the bed.
I felt no satisfaction.
Only disgust.
Vanessa had been involved with Daniel before my marriage, and she had continued to maintain that relationship while presenting herself as Ethan's future wife and the mother of his heir.
"Who is the father?"" Ethan asked again.
Vanessa stared at the blanket.
Then she whispered.
"Daniel.""
Ethan gripped the metal bed rail.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then he laughed once.
A hollow, broken sound.
"My own brother.""
Vanessa reached for him.
"Ethan, please. He promised me everything. He said you would never find out.""
"What did my father have to do with this?""
Her eyes widened.
"I don't know.""
"Your note says he knew about the baby.""
Vanessa looked toward the door.
Then she whispered something that made Richard immediately close it.
"Your father met Daniel before he died.""
Ethan turned.
"When?""
"Two weeks before his final hospitalization.""
"What did they discuss?""
Vanessa swallowed.
"The succession agreement.""
Richard took out his phone.
"Do you have any proof?""
Vanessa nodded toward her handbag.
"They gave me a copy.""
Ethan retrieved it.
Inside was a small envelope containing a USB drive and a folded letter.
Richard examined the letter first.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
It belonged to Ethan's father, Charles Blackwood.
The letter contained only one paragraph.
Daniel, the arrangement must remain in place. Ethan cannot be allowed to discover what happened during his surgery. The family fortune depends on the succession plan. If Vanessa delivers a child under Ethan's name, everything will proceed as discussed.
Ethan's knees nearly buckled.
I caught his arm.
He looked at me, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"My father knew.""
Richard placed the letter inside a protective folder.
"And he apparently left instructions for Daniel to continue the arrangement.""
Ethan stared at the USB drive.
"What's on it?""
Vanessa began sobbing.
"I don't know everything. Daniel told me never to open it.""
Richard put the drive into his laptop.
A folder appeared.
There were twelve video files.
The first was dated four years earlier.
The second was dated three years earlier.
The third showed Charles Blackwood sitting in his private office.
He looked directly into the camera.
"If you're watching this, Daniel, it means I am no longer alive.""
Ethan stopped breathing.
His father continued.
"Your brother must never discover that the surgery was deliberately arranged.""
Ethan grabbed the edge of the desk.
"What surgery?""
Richard clicked the next file.
And the screen revealed a second man sitting beside Charles.
May you like
A man Ethan recognized immediately.
His former personal physician.
