Chapter 13: The Last Family Secret
Richard Vance.
The name stared back at me from the paper.
For a moment, I forgot the sound of the gunshot.
Forgot the warehouse.
Forgot everything except those two words.
My uncle’s name.
The man who claimed he wanted to protect me.
The man who looked devastated when he learned someone had tried to destroy my life.
The man who stood beside me while I searched for the truth.
Was he part of it?
Nobody spoke.
Even Charles’s disappearance felt less important than the paper in my hand.
I looked at Richard.
He didn’t move.
And that terrified me more than if he had denied it immediately.
“Say something.””
His eyes met mine.
“Ethan…”
“No.””
My voice shook.
“I need you to answer.””
Victoria looked between us.
“Richard?””
He closed his eyes.
Then whispered:
“I knew this day would come.””
My stomach dropped.
Marcus stepped forward.
“What does that mean?””
Richard looked at the list.
“It means someone finally found the records.””
I held up the paper.
“Records that say you were involved.””
Richard nodded slowly.
“Yes.””
The room exploded with disbelief.
Brooke stepped back.
“No.””
Isabella looked at him.
“Why?””
Richard looked older than he had minutes ago.
Like the weight of twenty years had finally caught up with him.
“Because I made a mistake.””
I laughed quietly.
“A mistake?””
I looked around.
“My father died. Daniel Parker died. I almost died.””
My voice became colder.
“And you call that a mistake?””
Richard looked down.
“No.””
He took a breath.
“I call it the worst decision I ever made.””
Nobody interrupted.
Because everyone knew the truth was finally coming.
“Twenty years ago,” Richard began, “Charles discovered the foundation money was being moved.””
Victoria nodded.
“He found the accounts.””
Richard continued.
“And instead of reporting it, he tried to use it.””
I frowned.
“What?””
“Charles wasn’t innocent.””
The words shocked everyone.
“He wanted control. He thought the company belonged to him.””
Richard looked at me.
“Your father found out.””
My chest tightened.
“And you?””
Richard looked away.
“I helped him.””
“Helped who?””
“Charles.””
Silence.
I felt something break inside.
“You helped the man who destroyed our family?””
Richard’s eyes filled with regret.
“I thought I was protecting the company.””
“You thought?””
“I was young. Ambitious. Angry.””
He swallowed.
“I believed Charles when he told me your father was going to remove us both.””
I stared at him.
“And when you realized?””
His voice became quiet.
“It was too late.””
Marcus looked at the documents.
“So you covered it up.””
Richard nodded.
“Yes.””
Victoria stepped forward.
“You let my brother take the blame.””
Richard looked at her.
“I tried to fix it.””
“You hid.””
The accusation landed.
Because it was true.
Richard didn’t defend himself.
“I hid because I was ashamed.””
I looked at him.
“And Charles?””
“He disappeared after the accident.””
“Not my accident.””
Richard looked at me.
“No.””
A cold feeling moved through me.
“The accident was never supposed to happen.””
Everyone froze.
“What?””
Richard continued.
“Charles wanted leverage. He wanted to force me into giving him control.””
He looked at my wheelchair.
“But when he realized Ethan was involved…”
His voice cracked.
“He changed the plan.””
I looked away.
Six months.
Six months of pain.
Six months of believing my life ended because of a random accident.
But someone chose it.
Someone decided my future was an acceptable price.
A siren sounded outside.
Police.
Finally.
Marcus looked toward the entrance.
“We need to leave.””
But before we moved, my phone vibrated.
A message.
From an unknown number.
I opened it.
One sentence.
*“Richard told you half the truth.””*
My blood ran cold.
Another message appeared.
*“Ask him who paid for the truck.””*
I looked at Richard.
His face changed.
Not confusion.
Fear.
“Richard.””
He didn’t answer.
May you like
“Who paid?””
His silence was the answer.
