Chapter 7: The Twin Nobody Was Supposed to Find
"He's already there, waiting for you.""
My father's words seemed to drain every bit of warmth from the room.
I stared at him.
"Who?""
Daniel lowered himself into a chair, gripping the wooden cane Margaret had retrieved.
"His name is Ethan.""
I looked at the birth certificate on the computer.
The name that had appeared on the original document.
Ethan Carter.
"You're telling me Elijah has a twin brother?""
Daniel nodded.
"Identical twins. Elizabeth gave birth to two boys. William knew about both of them, but he only wanted one child to inherit the Carter name.""
"Why?""
"Because the original trust agreement required William's firstborn legitimate son to inherit control of the company. When Elizabeth discovered William had been hiding money, she threatened to expose him. He decided to use the children as leverage.""
My stomach tightened.
"What happened to Ethan?""
Daniel looked toward the window.
"Vanessa arranged for one of the babies to be registered under another name. Ethan was sent to live with a couple who had been promised money to keep him away from the Carter family.""
"Did they know who he was?""
"Not at first. They were told his biological parents had died.""
I couldn't understand how anyone could do such a thing.
"And Elijah?""
"Elizabeth kept him. William raised him as his own.""
"While knowing Daniel was his real father?""
Daniel nodded.
"William wanted Elijah to believe he was his only son. That gave him complete control over the inheritance.""
I looked at the photograph again.
Two newborn babies.
Two lives separated before they could even recognize each other.
"How did you find Ethan?""
Daniel reached into his coat and pulled out a folded letter.
"Your mother found him through an adoption attorney. She spent years looking for the family who had taken him. Eventually, she discovered that Ethan had been raised in Oklahoma.""
I unfolded the letter.
It was addressed to Daniel.
I found him. He's alive. He has your eyes.
My throat tightened.
"Did Mom ever meet him?""
"Once," Daniel whispered.
"She visited him when he was nineteen. She told him the truth, but he wasn't ready to believe her.""
"Where is he now?""
Daniel looked at Margaret.
She nodded and opened another document.
A photograph appeared on the computer.
A young man stood beside a black pickup truck.
He had dark hair, broad shoulders, and a familiar expression.
He looked almost exactly like Elijah.
But there was something different in his eyes.
"That's Ethan," Margaret said.
I stared at the photograph.
"Why would he be at the church?""
Daniel hesitated.
"Because William knows he's coming.""
A sharp knock interrupted us.
Before anyone could answer, the office door opened.
Elijah stepped inside.
His black tuxedo was immaculate, but his tie was loose. His hair looked as though he'd run his hands through it repeatedly.
"Amara.""
He rushed toward me.
"I've been looking everywhere.""
I stepped backward.
He stopped.
His expression changed.
"What happened?""
I looked at my father.
Elijah followed my gaze.
For several seconds, he simply stared.
Then he whispered:
"Mr. Bennett?""
Daniel stood.
"Hello, son.""
Elijah's face went pale.
He looked at me.
Then at Daniel.
Then back at me.
"Why is he here?""
I couldn't find the words.
Daniel stepped forward.
"Elijah, there's something you deserve to know.""
Elijah shook his head.
"No. Whatever this is, we can discuss it after the wedding.""
"There isn't going to be a wedding," I said.
His expression collapsed.
"Amara, what?""
I reached for his hand.
"I need you to listen to me. Your father isn't your biological father.""
He pulled away.
"What are you talking about?""
"Daniel is.""
Elijah stared at my father.
Then he laughed nervously.
"That's impossible.""
Daniel nodded sadly.
"I wish it were.""
Elijah looked toward Margaret.
"Tell me this is some kind of joke.""
She opened the DNA report.
Elijah read the first page.
His lips moved silently.
Then he reached the second document.
The photograph of the two newborn babies.
He sat down.
"My mother never told me.""
Daniel's voice softened.
"Elizabeth wanted to tell you. William wouldn't allow it.""
Elijah covered his face.
"All these years...""
I sat beside him.
He looked at me with wet eyes.
"Does this mean...""
I nodded.
"We share the same father.""
He immediately stood up.
"No.""
"Elijah—"
"No!""
He pushed the chair backward.
"You're saying we're brother and sister?""
Daniel approached him.
"I'm sorry.""
Elijah turned toward him.
"You knew?""
"I found out before you were born.""
"And you let me grow up believing William was my father?""
Daniel's eyes filled.
"I tried to protect you.""
Elijah laughed bitterly.
"Everyone keeps saying that. Protecting me. Protecting Amara.
Protecting the family. Who protected us from the lies?""
Nobody answered.
Then Margaret's computer chimed.
A new security notification appeared.
Someone had accessed the original storage records remotely.
Margaret hurried toward the screen.
"That's impossible.""
"What?"" I asked.
She pointed at the monitor.
"The original hospital file was just accessed using a Carter family administrative account.""
Elijah stepped closer.
"Whose account?""
Margaret enlarged the details.
The name appeared.
*ETHAN CARTER.*
Daniel gripped his cane.
"He's here.""
At that exact moment, my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
A man's voice spoke quietly.
"Amara Bennett?""
"Who is this?""
"My name is Ethan.""
I looked at Elijah.
The two men standing in the room shared the same face.
Ethan continued.
"I know you've just discovered the truth about my brother.""
I swallowed.
"Where are you?""
"Outside the church.""
"Why?""
There was a pause.
Then he said:
"Because your stepmother promised me something twelve years ago, and today I'm finally collecting.""
The call ended.
Elijah looked at me.
"What does he want?""
Before I could answer, Margaret received a message.
She read it.
Then slowly turned the screen toward us.
It was a photograph taken inside the church.
Vanessa stood beside William.
And between them stood a man wearing a black suit.
Ethan.
May you like
Underneath the photograph were six words.
*THE OTHER SON IS TAKING HIS PLACE.*
