Chapter 12: The Choice Amanda Made
Nobody believed him.
Especially not me.
Amanda?
The same woman who took chicken away from me?
The same woman who told Lily I wasn’t her real brother?
She saved me?
Dad looked confused.
“Explain.””
Michael looked at Amanda.
“She found out what your father was planning.””
Amanda lowered her eyes.
Dad turned toward her.
“Is this true?””
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she nodded.
“Yes.””
The room felt unreal.
“Why?””
Amanda looked at me.
And for the first time, I saw something I had never seen from her.
Regret.
“Because I knew what it felt like to be afraid.””
Nobody spoke.
She continued.
“When I met David, I knew about Ethan.””
Dad frowned.
“You did?””
“Yes.””
“Then why did you pretend you didn’t?””
Her face broke.
“Because I was selfish.””
That honesty surprised everyone.
“I thought loving Ethan meant losing Lily.””
Lily looked hurt.
“But you didn’t have to choose.””
“I know.””
Amanda wiped her tears.
“I know that now.””
Michael nodded.
“She was the one who warned Ethan’s parents.””
Dad looked at him.
“How?””
Amanda answered.
“I found documents in your father’s office.””
She looked at Grandfather.
“He planned to take Ethan away.””
Grandfather’s expression hardened.
“You ungrateful woman.””
Dad stepped between them.
“Don’t.””
Amanda continued.
“I tried to help them escape.””
My heart raced.
“You knew my parents?””
Amanda nodded.
“Only for a short time.””
“What were they like?””
Her eyes softened.
“Kind.””
She smiled sadly.
“Your mother carried your picture everywhere.””
I swallowed.
“She loved you.””
The words hit me harder than I expected.
Amanda looked down.
“But then the accident happened.””
Dad asked:
“What happened after?””
Amanda took a breath.
“Your parents died.””
Silence.
“And I thought Ethan would be safe with David.””
She looked at me.
“I was wrong.””
Dad looked hurt.
“You knew the truth for years.””
“Yes.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
Amanda closed her eyes.
“Because your father threatened me.””
She pointed toward Grandfather.
“He said if I exposed him, he would take Lily away from me.””
Lily froze.
“He said that?””
Amanda nodded.
“He knew my weak point.””
Dad looked at his father.
“You used your own granddaughter.””
Grandfather said nothing.
Then suddenly, he smiled.
A calm, terrifying smile.
“You’re all acting like I’m the only one who made mistakes.””
He looked at Michael.
“You betrayed your family.””
He looked at Amanda.
“You lied.””
Then he looked at Dad.
“And you?””
Dad stared.
Grandfather pointed at me.
“You built your entire life on a secret.””
Dad’s face changed.
Because there was truth in that.
Grandfather walked toward the door.
“I’m leaving.””
Dad blocked him.
“No.””
Grandfather looked amused.
“You think you can stop me?””
“Yes.””
Dad held up the documents.
“You’re not walking away from this.””
Grandfather laughed.
“You still don’t understand.””
“What?””
He leaned closer.
“The documents in that box are copies.””
Dad froze.
“What?””
“The originals?””
Grandfather smiled.
“Gone.””
My heart sank.
Then his phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
And for the first time tonight…
He looked afraid.
He answered.
Listened.
Then slowly lowered the phone.
“What happened?”” Michael asked.
Grandfather stared at me.
Not Dad.
Not Michael.
Me.
Then he whispered:
“Your parents weren’t the only ones who left evidence behind.””
Dad stepped forward.
“What did you do?””
Grandfather looked at the necklace around my neck.
May you like
And said:
“The proof is with Ethan.””
