Chapter 12: The Woman Who Knew Everything
The phone nearly slipped from my hand.
Caleb’s biological grandmother.
Those words didn’t make sense.
I looked at my mother.
She looked just as shocked.
“Who is this?”” Daniel asked.
I put the phone on speaker.
The woman repeated herself.
“My name is Rachel Whitmore.””
Thomas immediately went pale.
“Whitmore?””
The woman heard him.
“Thomas?””
Nobody moved.
“How do you know him?””
Rachel sighed.
“Because Thomas worked for my family.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“What family?””
Silence.
Then:
“The family Ethan was trying to escape.””
My heart pounded.
“Why are you calling me?””
Rachel’s voice became emotional.
“Because you deserve the truth.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Everyone keeps saying that.””
“I know.””
“Then tell me.””
The woman paused.
“Ethan was not running away from you.””
I closed my eyes.
“I’ve heard that already.””
“No.””
Her voice became firm.
“He was protecting you from my son.””
Alexander.
I knew immediately.
“Why?””
“Because Alexander believed Caleb was his key to controlling everything.””
I felt sick.
“How?””
Rachel took a breath.
“Because Alexander knew something Ethan discovered.””
“What?””
“Ethan wasn’t just investigating our family.””
“Then what was he doing?””
“He was investigating me.””
The room became silent.
I looked at Daniel.
“Why?””
Rachel answered:
“Because I was the reason Caleb’s records were changed.””
My mother covered her mouth.
I stood completely still.
“What?””
“I need you to listen carefully.””
“Why would I believe you?””
“Because Ethan left proof.””
I looked at the flash drive.
Rachel continued.
“Ethan discovered that when Caleb was born, Alexander tried to alter the hospital records.””
“Why?””
“To create a legal connection.””
I frowned.
“What connection?””
Her voice shook.
“He wanted Caleb to be recognized as part of the Whitmore family.””
I felt confused.
“Why would he want that?””
“Because of inheritance.””
Everything suddenly became clear.
Money.
Power.
Control.
But something still didn’t make sense.
“Why would Caleb inherit anything?””
Rachel went quiet.
Then said:
“Because Ethan was not just my son’s employee.””
I froze.
“What?””
“Ethan was my son.””
The room went silent.
I couldn’t breathe.
“No.””
Rachel’s voice cracked.
“I gave him up when he was young.””
I looked at Thomas.
He nodded slowly.
“My family hid it.””
I felt like the ground disappeared.
Ethan wasn’t just connected to the Whitmores.
He was one of them.
The man I thought abandoned me had been running from the very family that wanted control over him.
And Caleb.
My son.
Was connected to them too.
Rachel continued:
“Alexander knows Caleb exists.””
“Then why hasn’t he taken him?””
A long silence.
Then she answered:
“Because he needs one thing first.””
“What?””
“He needs Caleb to willingly accept the Whitmore name.””
I felt anger.
“My son is seven years old.””
“I know.””
“He doesn’t even understand this.””
“I know.””
“Then why tell me?””
Rachel’s voice became softer.
“Because Alexander is coming to see you.””
My body went cold.
“When?””
“Soon.””
“How soon?””
Before she could answer, the lights in my house suddenly flickered.
Everyone froze.
Then came a sound from upstairs.
A door opening.
My heart stopped.
Caleb’s room.
Daniel ran toward the stairs.
I followed.
And when we reached the hallway, I saw something that made me forget how to breathe.
Caleb was standing there.
Holding a piece of paper.
“Mom?””
I looked at him.
“What is it, sweetheart?””
His face was confused.
“I found this under my pillow.””
I walked closer.
My hands trembled as I took it.
Because I recognized the handwriting.
It was Ethan’s.
May you like
And the first line said:
*“Caleb, if you are reading this, I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you myself.””*
