Chapter 12: The Man Behind The Lies
I couldn’t move.
I couldn’t breathe.
The voice downstairs belonged to a ghost.
A man who had existed only in old memories.
A man I spent years trying to forget.
My father.
Nathan looked at me.
“Grace?””
I didn’t answer.
Because part of me was still that little girl waiting by the window for a man who never came home.
Security rushed into the hallway.
“He’s not armed.””
A man stepped into view.
Older.
Tired.
Broken.
But alive.
Thomas Bennett looked directly at me.
“Grace.””
The sound of my name in his voice nearly shattered me.
I hated that my heart still reacted.
I hated that a part of me still wanted to run toward him.
Instead, I whispered:
“You’re alive.””
Thomas nodded.
“Yes.””
My voice shook.
“You let me believe you abandoned me.””
His face collapsed.
“I know.””
“You let me grow up thinking I wasn’t worth staying for.””
“Grace…”
“No.””
The anger came out before the pain.
“You don’t get to say my name like nothing happened.””
Nathan stood beside me.
Not protecting me from Thomas.
Protecting me from breaking.
Thomas looked at him.
“You must be Nathan.””
Nathan’s expression was cold.
“You knew.””
Thomas lowered his eyes.
“Yes.””
“You knew I existed?””
“Yes.””
“And you knew Grace was pregnant?””
Thomas nodded.
The betrayal on Nathan’s face was painful.
“Then why did you let this happen?””
Thomas looked toward the floor.
“Because Richard would have killed you.””
Nobody spoke.
Thomas continued.
“When I discovered what Richard was planning, I tried to expose him.””
Daniel stepped closer.
“What exactly was he planning?””
Thomas looked at the files.
“Control.””
He pointed at Nathan.
“Richard didn’t want a son.””
Nathan frowned.
“What?””
“He wanted an heir he could manipulate.””
Thomas looked at Lily’s room.
“And when he discovered Grace was carrying a child, he saw another opportunity.””
My hands curled into fists.
“My daughter.””
Thomas nodded sadly.
“He wanted Lily because she represented the future of both families.””
Nathan stepped forward.
“She’s not a possession.””
“I know.””
Thomas looked at him.
“That’s why I helped Grace escape.””
I stared at him.
“You helped me?””
Thomas nodded.
“I was the one who arranged the new identity.””
I froze.
“The documents?””
“Yes.””
My anger returned.
“You made me disappear.””
“I saved your life.””
“You stole my life.””
The words hurt him.
Good.
Because I needed him to understand.
Thomas looked down.
“I know.””
A silence followed.
Then Eleanor stepped forward.
“You lied to her too.””
Thomas looked at her.
“You lied to all of us.””
For the first time, Eleanor and Thomas looked at each other with years of anger between them.
Nathan noticed.
“You two worked together.””
Thomas nodded.
“We did.””
“Then why didn’t anyone tell me?””
Thomas looked at his son.
“Because Richard threatened the people we loved.””
Nathan laughed bitterly.
“So everyone decided to control my life.””
Nobody answered.
Because he was right.
Thomas pulled a small device from his pocket.
“I came here because Richard found me.””
Everyone froze.
“He knows I’m alive.””
My heart dropped.
“When?””
Thomas looked toward the window.
“Tonight.””
The lights suddenly flickered.
Again.
Everyone became alert.
Nathan grabbed my hand.
“Stay with Lily.””
But before we could move, the mansion doors opened.
A figure stepped inside.
Slowly.
Calmly.
Like he owned the place.
Richard Cole.
Alive.
Standing.
Smiling.
The room went silent.
He looked around at everyone.
Then his eyes landed on me.
“Grace.””
My blood ran cold.
“I think it’s time you learned why you were chosen.””
Nathan stepped in front of me.
Richard smiled.
“Still protecting her.””
He looked at Lily’s room.
“Just like I knew you would.””
Nathan’s voice was dangerous.
“You’re done.””
Richard laughed softly.
“No, Nathan.””
He pulled a folder from his coat.
“I’m just getting started.””
He placed it on the table.
Inside was a DNA test.
Richard looked at me.
Then at Nathan.
And said:
“Your daughter isn’t the only secret Grace has been hiding.””
My heart stopped.
Because everyone looked at me.
May you like
Including Nathan.
And I had no idea what Richard was about to reveal.
