Chapter 10: The Father Behind the Secret
I read Brianna's message three times.
The photograph showed an old hospital document, yellowed around the edges. At the top was the name of the hospital where Brianna had been born.
Below it were two names.
Vanessa Collins.
And Thomas Reed.
I looked at the document again.
There was a handwritten note beside Thomas's name.
*Biological father — paternity confirmed.*
My hands went cold.
I turned toward Thomas.
"Is Brianna your daughter?""
He closed his eyes.
Nobody spoke.
Then Karen quietly asked, "Mr. Reed, is that document authentic?""
Thomas stared at the table.
"Yes.""
I felt something break inside me.
"You have a daughter with my wife?""
"Not with Vanessa," he replied weakly.
"Brianna is my daughter. But Vanessa and I were involved before she married Derek.""
I shook my head.
"How long?""
"Almost twenty years ago. Vanessa and I had a relationship. She was separated from Derek at the time.""
"And you never told Sarah?""
Thomas looked up.
"Sarah eventually found out.""
I stepped closer.
"Your own sister knew?""
"She discovered the truth when Brianna was born. She confronted me.""
"Then what?""
"She wanted me to tell Derek.""
I laughed bitterly.
"You let another man raise your daughter without knowing the truth?""
Thomas rubbed his forehead.
"I was afraid. Derek was violent when he was angry. Vanessa begged me not to tell him.""
I looked toward Karen.
"And the money?""
Thomas didn't answer.
"Thomas!""
He finally spoke.
"I thought Brianna deserved something.""
I stared at him.
"So you stole from Emily?""
"No. That's not how I saw it.""
"Then how did you see it?""
"Sarah had built an entire financial future for Emily. I had a daughter, too. Brianna was living with a man who wasn't her father, and Vanessa was struggling.""
I looked at him in disbelief.
"You received $150,000 and decided that wasn't enough?""
Thomas's voice became defensive.
"I helped arrange the documents. Vanessa was supposed to secure financial control. Derek handled the transfers. The money was going to be divided.""
"Divided between whom?""
He hesitated.
"Vanessa, Brianna, and me.""
I felt sick.
I had spent seven years calling this man family.
He had sat at my dining table.
He had watched Emily grow up.
He had hugged her after school performances and told her how proud Sarah would have been.
All while planning to take her inheritance.
I walked toward the window.
"Did Sarah know Brianna was your daughter?""
Thomas nodded.
"Yes. She found the original paternity report.""
"How?""
"She discovered an old envelope in Vanessa's belongings. She confronted me shortly before she died.""
I turned around.
"What did she say?""
Thomas swallowed.
"She said Brianna deserved to know the truth. She also said Emily would never be used to pay for our mistakes.""
I stared at him.
"And you still went ahead?""
He looked down.
"I was already too deeply involved.""
Karen closed her folder.
"Mr. Reed, I strongly advise you not to destroy or alter any documents. Everything you have told us may be relevant to the ongoing investigation.""
Thomas nodded weakly.
Then he turned toward me.
"Michael, I know you hate me. But there's something you need to understand. I didn't know Vanessa was going to charge Emily rent.""
I laughed.
"That's your defense?""
"I knew about the money transfers. I didn't know she was making Emily work to support the household.""
I pointed toward him.
"Emily worked two jobs because of you.""
Thomas began crying.
"I know.""
"No. You don't know. You weren't the person who held her while she cried because she thought her own father didn't want her.""
He covered his face.
I left the room with Karen.
Outside the building, my phone began ringing.
Brianna.
I answered immediately.
"Where are you?""
"At home.""
"Are you okay?""
She was crying.
"I need to ask you something.""
"Go ahead.""
"Is Thomas really my father?""
I closed my eyes.
"Yes, Brianna.""
There was a long silence.
"Did Mom know?""
"Yes.""
"Did Derek?""
"He knew you weren't his biological daughter.""
She began sobbing.
"Then why did he buy me that car?""
I didn't have an answer.
"Was it because he loved me, or because he wanted Mom to get the money?""
I leaned against my car.
"Brianna, I don't know what Derek's reasons were. But none of this is your fault.""
She sniffled.
"Emily must hate me.""
"Emily doesn't hate you.""
"She should.""
"Listen to me. You're not responsible for what the adults in this family did.""
Brianna was quiet.
Then she whispered, "I found something else.""
"What?""
"Mom has another folder. It's not about the money.""
My heart tightened.
"What's in it?""
"I think it's about Sarah.""
I stopped breathing.
"What do you mean?""
"I found a copy of a police report and an email from Derek. They mention the night Sarah died.""
My fingers tightened around the phone.
"Where are they?""
"At the house. In Mom's bedroom.""
"Don't touch anything. I'll come home.""
Before I could end the call, Brianna said something else.
"Dad?""
"Yes?""
"There's a name on the report.""
"What name?""
She took a shaky breath.
"The driver who was involved in Sarah's accident.""
I waited.
May you like
Then she whispered:
"Thomas Reed.""
