Chapter 8: My Father's Return
I couldn't move.
My father descended the staircase slowly, one hand resting on the polished wooden railing.
He wore a dark navy suit and the silver watch I had given him for his fiftieth birthday.
The same watch I had placed inside his coffin.
"Hello, sweetheart.""
His voice was exactly as I remembered.
Warm.
Calm.
Almost affectionate.
I felt Michael grab my arm.
"Stay behind me.""
My father stopped halfway down the stairs.
"Michael. You've grown.""
Michael stared at him.
"You were dead.""
Robert smiled.
"Apparently, people are very willing to believe what they're told.""
I took a step forward.
"Where's Mom?""
"Safe.""
"Where is she?""
"Somewhere she can think about the choices she made.""
I clenched my fists.
"Bring her here.""
My father sighed.
"Always so impatient. You were like that as a child.""
"Don't.""
He looked genuinely disappointed.
"Emily, I never wanted things to become this complicated.""
"You faked your death.""
"I had reasons.""
"You let us bury an empty coffin!""
His expression hardened.
"Lower your voice.""
I stared at him.
"How dare you?""
Michael moved forward.
"Where's Ethan?""
For the first time, my father's face changed.
Just slightly.
Then he smiled again.
"Ethan made his own choices.""
"He's alive, isn't he?"" I demanded.
Robert didn't answer.
Daniel stepped beside me.
"Mr. Mitchell, enough. Tell us where her mother is.""
My father looked at Daniel with open contempt.
"Still playing the hero?""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"Where is she?""
Robert descended the final steps.
"You're the last person who should be asking questions.""
I turned toward Daniel.
My father noticed.
"Oh, you haven't told her everything?""
Daniel looked away.
My father chuckled.
"Interesting.""
I stepped between them.
"What does he know?""
Robert picked up the wedding invitation from the table.
"Daniel and I have a history, Emily. A rather profitable one.""
"What history?""
"Three years ago, when Ethan began investigating my business affairs, Daniel helped me move some documents.""
I stared at my fiancé.
Daniel immediately shook his head.
"I didn't know what they were.""
My father laughed.
"Of course you didn't.""
Daniel stepped forward.
"You told me they were corporate records. You said your accounts were being audited.""
"And you believed me.""
I looked at Daniel.
"Is this true?""
He nodded slowly.
"Yes. I helped him transfer documents from his office to another location. I didn't know about the money.""
My father continued.
"Those documents contained evidence of several financial arrangements. Ethan discovered them. He threatened to take everything to the authorities.""
I felt sick.
"What did you do to him?""
Robert looked at me.
"I gave him an opportunity to walk away.""
"And?""
"He refused.""
Michael grabbed my father's jacket.
"What did you do to my brother?""
Two men appeared from the hallway.
They were wearing black suits.
One grabbed Michael's shoulder.
The other stepped toward Daniel.
My father calmly adjusted his cufflinks.
"Let him go. We are family.""
Michael released him.
I stared at my father.
"You have no right to call us family.""
He looked toward the staircase.
"Your mother disagrees.""
A door opened upstairs.
My mother appeared between two men.
Her hair was disheveled, and her face was pale.
But she was alive.
"Emily!""
I ran toward her.
One of the men blocked my way.
"Don't touch her!"" I screamed.
My father raised one finger.
The man stepped aside.
I rushed up the stairs and wrapped my arms around my mother.
She held me tightly.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"I'm so sorry.""
I pulled back.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
She began crying.
"Because your father threatened to hurt you if I did.""
I looked at Robert.
He didn't deny it.
My mother took my hand.
"Emily, you need to listen to me. Ethan discovered that your father had been using your name to move money through several companies. Your inheritance was never safe.""
I felt dizzy.
"What inheritance?""
"Your father created accounts in your name. Millions of dollars passed through them.""
I looked at Daniel.
He seemed devastated.
My mother continued.
"Ethan found the documents. He tried to expose him. That's why your father staged the accident.""
The room fell silent.
Michael stepped forward.
"You're saying Dad arranged Ethan's death?""
My mother nodded.
"He paid someone to make it look like a road accident. But Ethan survived.""
I gripped her hand.
"Where is he?""
She looked toward Robert.
My father finally lost his smile.
"Don't.""
My mother ignored him.
"He's been hiding in Savannah. He has the original documents and recordings.""
Robert took a step forward.
"Enough.""
A loud bang came from outside.
Everyone froze.
Then a man's voice shouted:
"Police! Nobody move!""
The two men in black suits immediately ran toward the rear hallway.
Michael pulled my mother behind him.
Daniel grabbed my hand.
My father stood motionless.
For the first time, he looked afraid.
An officer rushed into the room.
"Mr. Mitchell, you're under arrest.""
My father laughed.
"On what grounds?""
The officer held up a folder.
"Financial fraud, identity theft, and suspected conspiracy.""
Robert's smile disappeared.
Then he looked directly at me.
"You think this is over?""
He leaned closer as the officer reached for his wrists.
"You still haven't asked why Ethan chose to stay away from you.""
I stared at him.
"What?""
My father smiled again.
"Ask Daniel what happened the night your brother supposedly died.""
May you like
Then the handcuffs clicked shut.
And Daniel looked as though he had just been sentenced himself.
