Chapter 12: The Truth About His Father
We sat in my living room the next evening.
No lawyers.
No documents.
No business discussions.
Just me and my son.
For the first time in years.
I made tea.
The same way I had when Reid was little.
He watched me quietly.
“I remember this,” he said.
I smiled faintly.
“What?””
“You used to make tea whenever I was upset.””
I placed the cup in front of him.
“Because it gave us time to talk.””
He looked down.
“I wish we talked more.””
“So do I.””
The silence between us was not uncomfortable anymore.
It was honest.
Finally, I spoke.
“When I was twenty-eight, I met your father.””
Reid listened.
“I was building my first business. I had no money. No security. I was working constantly.””
I smiled sadly.
“He was different from me.””
“How?””
“He believed life should be enjoyed. I believed life had to be built.””
A quiet laugh escaped me.
“I thought he would balance me.””
“What happened?””
“He left.””
Reid looked down.
“Before I was born?””
I nodded.
“Yes.””
“Why?””
I took a breath.
“Because he was afraid.””
“Of me?””
“No.””
I looked at him.
“Of responsibility.””
The room was quiet.
“I found out I was pregnant after he was already gone.””
Reid looked at me.
“You never told me.””
“I wanted you to grow up knowing one thing.””
“What?””
“That you were wanted.””
His eyes filled.
“I was scared people would tell you that your father leaving meant something was wrong with you.””
I shook my head.
“But it never did.””
I reached across the table.
“Not once.””
Reid wiped his eyes.
“Why didn’t you tell me when I was older?””
“Because every time I looked at you, I didn’t see someone missing a father.””
I smiled.
“I saw my son.””
He looked away.
“I spent years thinking I had to prove I deserved everything.””
I understood then.
Not completely.
But enough.
“Maybe that’s why you chased the company.””
He nodded slowly.
“I thought if I had Carter Freight, I would finally be someone.””
I squeezed his hand.
“You were always someone.””
A tear fell down his face.
The moment was interrupted by my phone.
Daniel.
I answered.
“Hello?””
His voice was urgent.
“Wilma, we have a problem.””
“What happened?””
“Claire released the story.””
My heart sank.
“Already?””
“Yes.””
I looked at Reid.
“What story?””
Daniel continued.
“She leaked the photograph and claimed you hid the truth about Reid’s birth to manipulate him.””
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
Claire wasn’t interested in truth.
She was interested in control.
“What else?””
Daniel hesitated.
“Your company shares dropped this afternoon.””
I almost laughed.
After everything.
She was attacking the one thing I built.
But now I understood.
The company was only the weapon.
The real target was my relationship with Reid.
I looked at my son.
He was already reaching for his phone.
“What are you doing?””
He looked at me.
“Fixing this.””
“Reid—”
“No.””
He stood.
“For years, you protected me.””
His voice was steady.
“Now I protect you.””
I stared at him.
The boy who once needed me was gone.
Standing in front of me was a man finally accepting responsibility.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
His face changed.
“Who is it?””
He listened.
Then looked at me.
“Mom.””
“What?””
“It’s Claire.””
I stood.
“What does she want?””
Reid put the phone on speaker.
Claire’s voice filled the room.
“Congratulations, Wilma.””
I felt my hands tighten.
“On what?””
“On finally telling him the truth.””
I said nothing.
Then she continued:
“But you forgot one important detail.””
My heart sank.
“What detail?””
A pause.
May you like
Then Claire whispered:
“The truth about how his father died.””
