Chapter 7: The Man Who Knew How My Father Died
“Don't call him back.””
Marcus's voice cut through the silence.
I slowly turned toward him.
“Excuse me?””
“Madam Chairwoman, whoever that man is, you cannot trust him.””
I stared at Marcus.
“His name is Alexander Sterling. My mother left a photograph of Victor Sterling. Samuel just told me I had a twin brother who disappeared. Now a man claiming to be that brother calls me, and you expect me to ignore him?””
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
“I'm asking you to be careful.””
“No. You're going to tell me what happened to my father.””
Samuel Whitmore quietly closed the metal case.
“Marcus, perhaps it's time.””
Marcus looked at him.
“Not here.””
“Where, then?”” I demanded.
“I've spent my entire life being protected from information I had every right to know.””
Marcus finally pulled out a chair.
“Your father discovered that Victor Sterling had been manipulating the family trust. He confronted him shortly before the accident.””
“What accident?””
“The car accident that killed him.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
Marcus continued.
“Your father had evidence that someone had falsified Richard's adoption records and transferred money from your mother's private accounts. He planned to take that evidence to the authorities.””
“Are you saying Victor caused the accident?””
“We never proved that.””
“Did you investigate?””
Marcus looked down.
“Yes.””
“And?””
“The investigation was stopped after your mother received threats.””
I stared at him.
“Threats against whom?””
“You.””
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
My mother had been protecting me.
Even after my father's death, even after she buried him, even after she watched me grow up believing everything was normal.
She had carried the secret alone.
I looked at Marcus.
“Why do you know all this?””
He hesitated.
Then he removed a small photograph from his wallet.
It showed my father standing beside a much younger Marcus.
“My father worked for your father,” he explained.
“He was his personal security director. I grew up around your family.””
I looked at the photograph.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Your mother asked me to wait until the trust was threatened.””
“And my father?””
Marcus swallowed.
“I was sixteen when he died. I remember the night he called my father and said someone had entered his office.””
“Who?””
“We never found out.””
My phone was still in my hand.
I opened the recent calls and dialed Alexander's number.
Marcus started to object.
I raised one finger.
He fell silent.
The call connected.
“Evelyn?””
The voice sounded older than I expected. Calm, but guarded.
“I'm listening.””
“Good. I wasn't sure you'd call.””
“Are you really my brother?””
A pause.
“Yes.””
“Prove it.””
He gave a quiet laugh.
“Your mother had a small silver bracelet made for both of us. Yours had an engraved E. Mine had an A.
She kept yours. Victor gave mine to me when I was seven.””
My eyes filled.
I remembered the bracelet.
It was still in my bedroom at home.
“What do you want?””
“To meet you.””
“Why now?””
“Because Richard is moving faster than we expected. And because the people who killed your father have started looking for me.””
The room went silent.
I gripped the phone.
“You said people who killed my father.””
“I have evidence.””
“Who?””
“Victor Sterling.””
I looked at Marcus.
His expression was unreadable.
Alexander continued.
“But Victor wasn't acting alone.””
“Who helped him?””
“Your husband.””
I closed my eyes.
Ethan.
Of course.
“That's impossible,” I whispered.
“Your husband wasn't involved in the original accident,” Alexander said.
“He came into the picture years later. Richard recruited him to finish what Victor started.””
My stomach turned.
“What does finishing it mean?””
“Taking the trust. Removing you from the board. And making sure nobody ever discovers the original ownership records.””
I took a slow breath.
“Where can I meet you?””
“Tomorrow morning. Nine o'clock. The old Hayes residence.””
My mother's former house.
It had been empty since her death.
“Fine.””
“One more thing, Evelyn.””
“What?””
“Don't bring Marcus.””
The call ended.
I looked up.
Marcus was already shaking his head.
“Absolutely not.””
I stood.
“I'm going.””
“Then I'll arrange security outside.””
“He specifically said not to bring you.””
Marcus looked at Samuel.
The old attorney suddenly appeared deeply uncomfortable.
“Madam Chairwoman,” he said, “there's something else you should know about Marcus.””
I turned.
“What now?””
Samuel removed a final sheet from the metal case.
It was a handwritten note from my mother.
If Evelyn ever meets Alexander, she must hear his story before deciding whom to trust. Even Marcus has not told her everything.
I looked at Marcus.
He didn't deny it.
Instead, he quietly said, “Your mother made me promise to protect both of you.””
“Both of us?””
He nodded.
“Alexander and you.””
I stared at him.
“Then why has he spent his entire life away from me?””
May you like
Marcus lowered his eyes.
“Because I was the person who helped hide him.””
