Chapter 5: My Father's Last Warning
I didn't sleep that night.
Nia fell asleep shortly after midnight, her back turned toward me. Occasionally, she moved closer, reaching for my arm.
Each time, I shifted away.
At 2:17 a.m., Daniel called.
I answered in the bathroom.
"Tell me you found something.""
"I found the original letter," he said.
"At least, a scanned copy.""
"Where?""
"Your father's old attorney's archive. Edward Hayes uploaded it to a secure estate folder years ago.""
"Why didn't anyone tell me about it?""
"Because it was classified as correspondence relating to an unresolved family matter.""
I leaned against the bathroom counter.
"Read it to me.""
Daniel paused.
"Marcus, I think you should see it yourself.""
"Daniel.""
"Fine.""
He began reading.
The letter explained that my father had met a woman named Elaine Cole before marrying my mother. They had a relationship that ended when Elaine discovered she was pregnant.
My father had wanted to acknowledge the child.
But Elaine had refused.
According to the letter, she believed my father would eventually choose his wealthy family over her and the baby.
Years later, my father learned that the child, Ethan, had grown up believing his biological father had abandoned him.
My father had attempted to contact him several times.
Each attempt had failed.
Then, five years before his death, he received a letter from Elaine.
She was dying.
She wanted Ethan to know the truth.
My father had written to Edward Hayes asking him to arrange a meeting.
But there was another part.
"Daniel, keep going.""
He cleared his throat.
"Your father wrote that Patricia Bennett had somehow learned about Ethan's existence and had approached Elaine with an offer of financial assistance.""
I straightened.
"What kind of assistance?""
"Your father suspected she wanted access to information about the estate.""
I stared at myself in the bathroom mirror.
"Why would Patricia care about Ethan?""
"That's what we're trying to figure out.""
"Did my father meet him?""
Daniel was quiet.
"Apparently, yes.""
I gripped the counter.
"When?""
"Six months before he died.""
I closed my eyes.
My father had met his firstborn son while I was visiting him every weekend.
He had sat across from me at Sunday dinner, asked about my company, complained about his old television, and never once mentioned that another son existed.
"Did he tell Ethan about me?""
"According to the letter, yes.""
"Did he leave him anything?""
Daniel hesitated.
"There's a separate provision in the original trust.""
"What provision?""
"Your father established a confidential education and support fund for Ethan. It was supposed to remain separate from the main family trust.""
I exhaled.
"Then why is his name appearing on documents involving my inheritance?""
"Because someone submitted a second amendment claiming Ethan was entitled to a larger share.""
"Who submitted it?""
"Edward Hayes.""
I looked toward the bedroom.
Nia was still asleep.
Or pretending to be.
"Daniel, I need to see the original trust.""
"I've already requested the certified copy.""
"Good.""
Then he said something else.
"Marcus, the letter also mentions Patricia's involvement in your father's final days.""
My fingers tightened around the phone.
"What involvement?""
"Your father believed she had been pressuring Elaine to sign a document relinquishing Ethan's claims.""
I felt nauseated.
"Did she succeed?""
"We don't know.""
"Find out.""
"I will.""
Before ending the call, Daniel added:
"One more thing. Don't go anywhere with Edward Hayes without me.""
At eight the next morning, Nia was already dressed.
She stood beside the hotel window wearing a cream-colored blouse and tailored trousers.
Her wedding gown had been packed away.
She looked like a woman preparing for an ordinary business meeting.
"Good morning, husband.""
I walked into the room.
"Morning.""
She handed me coffee.
"I made an appointment with Edward for ten.""
"Where?""
"His office.""
"I'll drive separately.""
She frowned.
"Why?""
"I need to stop somewhere first.""
"Marcus, we should go together.""
I took the coffee.
"Why is that important?""
She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"Because we're married now. We should handle things together.""
I took a sip.
"Of course.""
She checked her phone.
"Mom is meeting us there.""
I nearly laughed.
"Your mother?""
"She knows Edward better than we do.""
"Convenient.""
Nia's eyes narrowed.
"What does that mean?""
"Nothing.""
She picked up her handbag.
"Let's go.""
Edward Hayes's office was located in an old brick building downtown.
The reception area smelled of polished wood and expensive coffee. Framed photographs of prominent local families covered the walls.
Edward himself was waiting beside his desk.
He was in his late sixties, with silver hair and thin glasses.
When he saw me, he smiled warmly.
"Marcus. It's been too long.""
I shook his hand.
"Five years.""
He lowered his eyes briefly.
"Your father would be proud of you.""
I didn't answer.
Patricia sat on the leather sofa near the window.
She wore a navy-blue dress and carried a large designer handbag.
"Marcus, congratulations again," she said.
"Thank you.""
Nia approached Edward.
"Everything is ready?""
"Almost," he replied.
He gestured toward three chairs.
"Please sit.""
I remained standing.
"Before we begin, I'd like to see the original documents.""
Edward adjusted his glasses.
"Which documents?""
"My father's original trust agreement. The first amendment. And any correspondence involving Ethan Cole.""
The room went silent.
Patricia's handbag slipped slightly from her lap.
Nia turned toward me.
"Marcus, what is this?""
I ignored her.
Edward folded his hands.
"That's a rather unusual request.""
"Why?""
"Some of those documents are confidential.""
"I'm the primary beneficiary of my father's estate.""
"That doesn't necessarily give you access to every private family communication.""
I looked at him.
"Then perhaps you can explain why someone submitted an amendment with a false notary number.""
Edward's face lost its color.
Patricia stood.
"This is becoming ridiculous.""
I turned toward her.
"Sit down, Patricia.""
Her mouth fell open.
"Excuse me?""
"You heard me.""
Nia stepped between us.
"Marcus, stop. You're upsetting everyone.""
I looked at my wife.
"Good. Maybe someone will finally tell the truth.""
Edward slowly opened a drawer.
He removed a thick envelope and placed it on the desk.
"Your father left instructions that these documents should be reviewed only in the presence of all interested parties.""
"Then let's review them.""
He opened the envelope.
The first document was the original trust agreement.
The second was a handwritten letter from my father.
The third was a birth certificate.
Ethan Cole.
Father: Marcus Carter Sr.
Mother: Elaine Cole.
I stared at the page.
It was real.
My father had another son.
Then Edward removed one more document.
"This," he said, "is a declaration signed by Ethan Cole acknowledging his father's estate arrangements.""
I leaned closer.
The date was three months before my wedding.
Ethan's signature appeared at the bottom.
But something else caught my attention.
A second signature appeared beside his.
Patricia Bennett.
I looked up.
"Why is your name on a document involving my father's son?""
Patricia's face hardened.
"Because I helped him.""
"Helped him do what?""
She lifted her chin.
"Your father owed my family something.""
I stared at her.
"What?""
Before she could answer, Edward interrupted.
"Perhaps we should discuss this privately.""
"No," I said.
"We're done discussing things privately.""
I turned to Nia.
"Did you know?""
She didn't answer.
"Did you know Ethan was my father's son?""
Her eyes filled with tears.
Then she said something I hadn't expected.
"I knew he was your brother.""
My stomach dropped.
"How long?""
She looked toward her mother.
"Since before I met you.""
The room became completely silent.
And suddenly, the wedding conversation I had overheard made perfect sense.
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Nia hadn't simply discovered my family's wealth after falling in love with me.
She had known exactly who I was before our first date.
