Chapter 7: The Brother Who Never Existed
"Because you had a twin, Marcus. And Olivia has been using his identity for years.""
My mother's words seemed to drain every bit of oxygen from the room.
I looked at her.
Then at my father.
Then back at the hospital wristband on my phone.
"Mom, what are you talking about?""
She covered her mouth.
Dad lowered himself into a chair.
Outside, the men continued pounding on the door.
"Richard Hayes!"" one shouted.
"Open immediately!""
I ignored them.
"Tell me what happened.""
My mother took a shaky breath.
"Twenty-nine years ago, I gave birth to two boys. You and your brother.""
I stared at her.
"Why did nobody tell me?""
"Because your brother was declared dead shortly after birth.""
"Declared dead?""
She nodded.
"He was premature. The doctors told us his lungs weren't developed enough. Your father and I were devastated.""
I turned toward Dad.
"You buried my brother?""
He shook his head.
"No.""
That single word made me look up.
Dad reached into the folder and pulled out an old photograph.
It showed two newborn babies lying beside each other in hospital bassinets.
One wore a blue bracelet.
The other wore a white one.
On the back, my mother's handwriting identified them.
*Marcus and Matthew. My two miracles.*
My hands began trembling.
"Where is Matthew?""
My mother started crying.
"That's what we've been trying to discover.""
I looked at the photograph again.
The baby wearing the white bracelet had a small birthmark near his left shoulder.
I remembered having the same mark.
I touched my own shoulder instinctively.
"Did he survive?""
Dad nodded slowly.
"Yes.""
I stood.
"Then where is he?""
"Your grandfather arranged for him to be raised by another family.""
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"Why?""
"Because Olivia was born several years later, and your grandfather believed the family business needed one male heir. He thought raising two sons would create unnecessary competition.""
"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.""
"I know.""
"Did Mom agree?""
My mother shook her head.
"I fought him. I begged him not to separate you. But your grandfather had already arranged everything.""
I felt sick.
"And you both let him?""
Dad lowered his head.
"I was younger. I was afraid of losing everything.""
I laughed bitterly.
"Apparently, everyone in this family has spent their entire lives being afraid of losing something.""
A loud crash interrupted us.
The front door shook.
My father stood.
"We need to leave.""
I grabbed his arm.
"Not until you tell me why Olivia has been using Matthew's identity.""
Dad opened another file.
Inside were bank statements, medical records, and several legal documents.
"About eight months ago, Olivia contacted a private investigator. She wanted to locate your brother.""
"Did she find him?""
"Yes.""
"Who is he?""
Dad hesitated.
Then he showed me a photograph.
A man stood outside a mechanic's garage, wearing a dark work shirt. He had my face.
The same jawline.
The same eyes.
Even the same small scar near his eyebrow.
But he looked older, more tired.
The name beneath the photograph was Matthew Reed.
"That's him?""
Dad nodded.
"Your brother.""
I stared at the picture.
For twenty-nine years, I had believed I was an only son.
Now I was looking at a stranger who had apparently spent his entire life without knowing he had a family.
"What did Olivia do to him?""
"She approached him with a story. She told him that our family had stolen his inheritance.""
"Was that true?""
"Not exactly. Your grandfather had placed money in a trust for him. But the trust was supposed to remain untouched until he turned thirty.""
I checked the date.
Matthew would turn thirty in four months.
"Olivia wanted access to the trust.""
"Yes. She convinced him that she could help him claim it.""
"And the baby?""
Dad looked toward my mother.
"Olivia used his identity in the hospital records to make Ethan appear to be Matthew's son.""
I felt my stomach turn.
"Why?""
"Because the trust contains a provision. If Matthew has a biological child before his thirtieth birthday, the child receives a separate inheritance.""
I stared at him.
"So Olivia fabricated a child to unlock the money?""
"Not just the money," Mom whispered.
She took the photograph from my hand.
"Your grandfather also left controlling voting rights to the first male grandchild born into the Hayes family.""
I looked at her.
"That means Ethan?""
"That's what Olivia wants everyone to believe.""
The front door finally gave way.
Footsteps thundered through the hallway.
Dad grabbed the folder.
"Marcus, take your mother through the kitchen.""
"What about you?""
"I'll handle this.""
A man entered the living room holding a warrant.
"Richard Hayes?""
Dad raised his hands.
"Yes.""
"You're under arrest for suspected financial fraud, falsification of medical records, and obstruction of justice.""
I stepped forward.
"These allegations are fabricated!""
The officer looked at me.
"Sir, step aside.""
My father turned toward me.
"Don't fight them. Find Matthew.""
"Why?""
"Because he's the only person who can prove Olivia's identity fraud.""
The officers approached.
Before they handcuffed him, Dad looked directly into my eyes.
"And Marcus, don't trust anyone who tells you your brother is dead.""
I froze.
"What?""
But they were already leading him away.
My mother grabbed my hand.
We escaped through the kitchen and reached the driveway.
I helped her into the car.
Then I opened the photograph of Matthew again.
There was a phone number beneath his address.
I called.
A man answered after four rings.
"Hello?""
My throat tightened.
"Is this Matthew Reed?""
"Who's asking?""
"My name is Marcus Hayes.""
Silence.
Then the man laughed.
"Funny. I was told you were dead.""
I gripped the steering wheel.
"Who told you that?""
"My sister.""
My blood turned cold.
"Do you mean Olivia?""
Another pause.
May you like
Then Matthew said something that changed everything.
"She's standing in my garage right now.""
