Chapter 6: The Name On The Document
I waited until Ethan came downstairs before I said anything.
He immediately noticed something was wrong.
“What happened?””
I looked at him.
“I talked to your aunt.””
His expression changed.
“What did she say?””
I sat down at the kitchen table.
“She said your grandmother tried to contact you.””
Ethan looked away.
“She did.””
“And Lauren stopped it.””
His face tightened.
“I told you.””
“I know.””
I reached across the table.
“I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.””
He didn’t answer immediately.
Then he whispered:
“I wanted you to.””
That hurt more than anger would have.
A child shouldn’t have to beg his parent to believe him.
“I need to ask you something.””
He nodded.
“What about my birth certificate?””
His eyes moved up.
“Why?””
“Your aunt said Lauren didn’t want me to see something.””
Ethan looked nervous.
“I don’t know.””
“Ethan.””
He hesitated.
Then he stood.
“I’ll show you.””
We went upstairs.
He opened an old backpack from his closet.
Inside were papers.
Photos.
Documents.
Things he had clearly hidden because he didn’t know who he could trust.
He pulled out a folded piece of paper.
“My mom’s things.””
I unfolded it.
At first, everything looked normal.
Name.
Date of birth.
Hospital.
Parents.
Then I saw it.
A correction stamp.
The original record had been changed.
I looked closer.
The father’s name section.
My name was there.
But underneath it was another document.
A previous version.
With another man’s name.
I felt the air leave my lungs.
“Ethan…”
He looked at me.
“I found it last year.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I asked Mom.””
“Lauren?””
He nodded.
“What did she say?””
His voice became quiet.
“She said if I told you, I would destroy your life.””
I stared at the paper.
Another man’s name.
Another secret.
Another lie.
I heard a noise behind us.
We turned.
Lauren stood at the open door.
Her face was completely pale.
She had seen the document.
She knew.
“Dad,” Ethan whispered.
But I couldn’t look away from Lauren.
“Who is Daniel Mercer?””
Her lips parted.
No words came out.
I held up the document.
“Who is this man?””
Lauren took one step backward.
And for the first time since I met her…
She looked afraid.
“Where did you get that?””
“That’s not an answer.””
She looked at Ethan.
Then at me.
“This was supposed to stay buried.””
My chest tightened.
“Why?””
She didn’t respond.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A man’s voice came through.
“Is this David Carter?””
“Yes.””
“My name is Daniel Mercer.””
I looked at Lauren.
She closed her eyes.
The man continued.
“I’ve been trying to reach you for sixteen years.””
Nobody moved.
Nobody breathed.
May you like
Then he said:
“I think you deserve to know what really happened the night Ethan was born.””
