My Six-Year-Old Son Was Eating Plain Rice While My Wife's Children Enjoyed Steak—Then He Whispered, "Daddy, Please Don't Tell Mommy I Showed You My Feet."

At noon, David and I arrived at the hotel.

Thomas stayed at the office to speak with Eleanor and organize the documents.

Richard had requested a meeting in the hotel restaurant.

David insisted that we record the conversation in accordance with applicable rules and keep the meeting documented.

When we entered, I spotted him immediately.

He was sitting near the window.

Gray hair.

Expensive watch.

Dark suit.

He looked older, but the scar above his eyebrow was unmistakable.

My father.

Richard Bennett.

He stood when he saw me.

"Michael.""

I didn't move.

He extended his hand.

I stared at it.

After a moment, he withdrew it.

"You've grown into a successful man.""

"Don't pretend you know me.""

He gave a small smile.

"Fair enough.""

David pulled out a chair.

"We're here to discuss the documents and the missing funds.""

Richard looked at him.

"And you are?""

"David Miller. I'm representing Michael.""

Richard nodded.

"Of course.""

He opened his leather briefcase.

Then he placed a cream-colored envelope on the table.

"This belonged to Emily.""

I didn't touch it.

"What's inside?""

"A letter. She gave it to me shortly before she died.""

"Why did you keep it?""

"Because I wasn't ready to face what it said.""

I looked at him.

"You were ready to take her son's money, though.""

His expression hardened.

"Your mother told you about that?""

"She told me enough.""

Richard leaned back.

"Patricia was desperate. She needed help.""

"From a child's inheritance?""

"That account contained money that came from the Bennett family.""

I stared at him.

"It belonged to Caleb.""

Richard shook his head.

"You don't understand how complicated things became after I disappeared.""

"Then explain them.""

He looked toward the window.

"I made some bad investments. I borrowed money from people I shouldn't have trusted. Eventually, I had to leave.""

"So you abandoned your family.""

"I had no choice.""

"You let me believe you were dead.""

"Your mother thought it was best.""

I leaned forward.

"Did you ever think about me?""

He didn't answer.

"Did you ever think about your grandson?""

Richard sighed.

"I watched him from a distance.""

My stomach tightened.

"What?""

"I saw photographs. Patricia sent them.""

I thought about Caleb's broken shoes.

His empty bowl.

The blanket in the closet.

"You watched him grow up while knowing people were taking his money?""

Richard's eyes narrowed.

"Money isn't everything.""

"Then why did you take it?""

He finally opened the envelope.

Inside was a handwritten letter.

I recognized Emily's handwriting.

He slid it toward me.

I read the first line.

Richard, I know what you've done.

My breathing became shallow.

The letter continued.

I know you contacted Patricia about Caleb's trust. I know you asked her to help you access the funds. And I know you have been using Daniel Cross to create documents that make it appear I authorized those transfers.

I looked up.

Richard's face was expressionless.

I continued reading.

I will not allow you to take my son's future. If you continue, I will tell Michael everything.

Then came the final paragraph.

There is one thing you should know. Michael deserves to understand why you disappeared, and why you returned only when Caleb had money.

I lowered the letter.

"What does that mean?""

Richard looked at me.

"Your mother didn't tell you the whole story.""

"Apparently, nobody in this family does.""

He gave a bitter smile.

"Before I disappeared, I had debts. Your mother knew about them. But she also knew something else.""

"What?""

"She was the one who arranged the financial accounts after I left.""

I stared at him.

"You're blaming Mom?""

"I'm telling you what happened.""

David interrupted.

"Mr. Bennett, let's stay focused on the account transfers.""

Richard ignored him.

"Patricia created Bennett Family Management. She told me she could use the company to recover some of the money I'd lost.""

"By stealing from Caleb?""

"She said the money would eventually be available to the family.""

I shook my head.

"That doesn't make sense.""

Richard leaned closer.

"Because there's something else you don't know. Your mother had access to Emily's original documents long before she died.""

I stared at him.

"What documents?""

"The trust agreement. The medical paperwork. Everything.""

David's expression changed.

"Are you suggesting Patricia had access to Emily's medical records?""

Richard nodded.

"She was at the hospital regularly.""

My heart began racing.

"Why?""

"Because she wanted to make sure Emily couldn't change the trust before she died.""

The words hung in the air.

David immediately leaned forward.

"Are you alleging that someone interfered with Emily's medical care?""

Richard looked at him.

"I'm saying Patricia was desperate to keep control.""

I felt sick.

"Did she hurt Emily?""

Richard looked away.

"I don't know what happened inside that hospital room.""

"Did she?""

He rubbed his forehead.

"Michael, I came here to give you the letter, not to reopen old wounds.""

I stood.

"Then answer one question. Did you know Vanessa before she met me?""

Richard hesitated.

Then he nodded.

"Yes.""

"How?""

"Patricia introduced us.""

"When?""

"Before Emily died.""

I stared at him.

"Why would my mother introduce Vanessa to you?""

Richard lowered his voice.

"Because Vanessa wasn't originally supposed to marry you.""

I felt the blood drain from my face.

"What?""

"She was supposed to get close to Emily's brother, Thomas. He had access to the legal records. But when that didn't work, Patricia changed the plan.""

David slowly closed his notebook.

"Mr. Bennett, are you admitting that Vanessa was recruited to obtain financial information?""

Richard didn't answer.

I looked at him.

"Was my marriage arranged?""

He finally nodded.

"Your mother believed Vanessa could influence you.""

I felt as if the floor had disappeared beneath me.

Every dinner.

Every smile.

Every promise.

The entire marriage might have been built around my son's inheritance.

Then Richard reached into his briefcase and pulled out another photograph.

It showed Vanessa standing outside the hospital.

Beside her was Patricia.

And in the background, near the entrance, stood a nurse holding a medical folder.

Richard pushed it toward me.

"There's one more thing you need to understand, Michael.""

I looked at the photograph.

"What?""

He pointed to the nurse.

"That woman was the last person to enter Emily's room before her condition suddenly deteriorated.""

My hands began shaking.

David immediately picked up the photograph.

"Do you know her name?""

Richard nodded.

"Yes.""

He looked directly at me.

"She's Vanessa's biological aunt.""

I couldn't breathe.

My wife hadn't simply entered my life by accident.

Her family had been connected to Emily's final days.

And now I had to find out whether the woman who had helped raise Vanessa had also played a role in the tragedy that had left Caleb without his mother.

Richard leaned back.