Chapter 5: The Name On The Report
The name on the document stayed in my mind all day.
My own brother.
Michael.
I hadn’t spoken to him in almost a year.
Not because of a small disagreement.
Because Michael had always believed he deserved everything I had.
My father’s business.
My house.
My success.
When our father died, Michael expected me to hand over control of the company.
When I refused, he told me I would regret it.
But I never imagined he would involve my daughter.
“He requested the DNA test?”” I asked Daniel.
He nodded.
“According to this document.””
“Why?””
Daniel looked serious.
“That’s what we need to find out.””
I called Michael.
He answered after three rings.
“Richard.””
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
“We need to talk.””
A pause.
“About what?””
“You know exactly what.””
Silence.
Then he laughed.
“I was wondering when you’d discover it.””
My grip tightened around the phone.
“You knew?””
“I know a lot more than you think.””
I stood up.
“Where are you?””
“Come alone.””
I looked at Daniel.
He shook his head.
But I needed answers.
I drove to the old warehouse my father used to own.
Michael was standing outside.
Same expensive suit.
Same confident smile.
“You look angry.””
“You used Vanessa.””
Michael shrugged.
“I gave her an opportunity.””
“To destroy my family?””
“To correct an unfair situation.””
I stared at him.
“What does that mean?””
He walked closer.
“Everything you have should have been mine.””
There it was.
The truth.
“You’re doing this because of the company?””
“Partly.””
“Partly?””
Michael smiled.
“You built a perfect life, Richard.””
I said nothing.
“You have the house. The business. The daughter everyone loves.””
His voice became colder.
“And I got nothing.””
I almost couldn’t believe him.
“You think you got nothing?””
Michael looked away.
“You don’t know what it feels like watching everyone choose you.””
I shook my head.
“You hurt a child because you’re jealous?””
“I didn’t hurt anyone.””
“You helped someone who did.””
His expression changed slightly.
That tiny reaction told me everything.
“You knew about Nia.””
Michael didn’t answer.
I stepped closer.
“How long?””
He sighed.
“Long enough.””
My blood ran cold.
“Long enough for what?””
“To see if Vanessa could make you lose control.””
The words were like a punch.
“You set me up?””
Michael smiled.
“You were always emotional when it came to Nia.””
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“You tried to make people think I was abusive.””
“No.””
He looked directly at me.
“I tried to make people question whether you were.””
I walked away before I did something I would regret.
When I returned home, Nia was sitting at the kitchen table drawing.
She looked up.
“Daddy?””
I forced a smile.
“Hey.””
She studied my face.
“Something happened.””
I sat beside her.
“Why do you say that?””
“Because you make the same face you made when Mom got sick.””
The memory hurt.
My first wife.
Nia’s mother.
The woman who had trusted me with our daughter before she passed.
I looked at my child.
“I promise I’m not leaving you.””
She nodded.
Then she slid her drawing toward me.
It was our family.
Me.
Her.
Her mother.
And someone else.
I stared.
“Who is this?””
She pointed.
“That’s Ethan.””
I looked at her.
“You drew him?””
She nodded.
“Because even if Vanessa is bad, he’s still a kid.””
My heart broke.
Even after everything, my daughter still had compassion.
Then she whispered:
“Daddy?””
“Yeah?””
“I remember Ethan.””
I froze.
“What?””
Nia looked confused.
“When I was little.””
My hands went cold.
“What do you remember?””
She stared at the drawing.
“A woman brought him to our house once.””
I stood.
“When?””
“I don’t know. I was maybe five.””
My mind raced.
“Nia, why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I thought you knew.””
The room became silent.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A woman’s voice spoke.
“Richard Bennett?””
“Yes?””
“I’m calling because I worked for your first wife.””
My heart stopped.
“Who are you?””
“My name is Laura.””
A pause.
“And I think you need to know the truth about Ethan.””
I gripped the phone.
“What truth?””
Her voice dropped.
“Ethan was never Vanessa’s secret.””
I felt a chill.
“Then whose was it?””
May you like
The woman whispered:
“Your first wife knew about him before she died.””
