Chapter 9: The Son Who Wanted My Life
The press conference was being held at the headquarters of Carter Construction.
My father's company.
The building stood twenty-eight floors above downtown, with glass windows reflecting the morning sun.
I hadn't entered the building in nearly two years.
After my father died, Richard had gradually taken control. Eventually, I sold my remaining shares and started my own business.
I had believed I was walking away from a family legacy.
Now I wondered whether I had been pushed out deliberately.
Detective Harris sat beside me in the car.
“We need to be careful,” she said.
“If Daniel Bennett is the missing triplet, we need evidence before making accusations.””
I looked at the photograph on my phone.
He had my father's eyes.
The same dark eyebrows.
The same narrow smile.
But something about his expression bothered me.
He looked angry.
Not like a man celebrating a business victory.
Like someone who had finally reached the place he had been trying to reach his entire life.
“Do you think he knows who I am?”” I asked.
Detective Harris nodded.
“Judging by Michael's message, I'd say yes.””
We entered the lobby.
A large digital screen displayed the company logo.
Below it was a photograph of Daniel Bennett.
*WELCOME OUR NEW MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER.*
A receptionist approached.
“Good morning. Can I help you?””
“I'm Marcus Carter.””
Her expression changed.
“Oh.””
She glanced toward the elevators.
“Mr. Bennett is expecting you.””
I looked at Detective Harris.
“How?””
The receptionist swallowed.
“He specifically requested that you attend.””
We took the elevator to the twenty-sixth floor.
As the doors opened, I heard applause.
The conference room was full of journalists, executives, and employees.
At the front stood a man in a navy suit.
Daniel Bennett.
He was holding a microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Carter Construction.””
He smiled.
“And I would like to welcome someone very special.””
He looked directly at me.
“My brother.””
The room fell silent.
Cameras turned.
Daniel stepped down from the stage.
He approached me with his hand extended.
“Marcus.””
I didn't take it.
“You wanted to see me.””
“Yes.””
“Then explain.””
He glanced at the journalists.
“Not here.””
I followed him into a private office.
Detective Harris remained near the doorway.
Daniel closed the door.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then he laughed softly.
“It's strange, isn't it?””
“What?””
“Standing in the same room as someone who has your face.””
I studied him.
“Are you Matthew?””
His smile disappeared.
“My name is Daniel Bennett.””
“That's not what I asked.””
He walked toward the windows.
“My mother called me Matthew when I was born.””
“Why did you change your name?””
“Because Matthew Cole was never supposed to exist.””
I stepped closer.
“Tell me what happened.””
Daniel turned.
“You were taken home by Daniel Carter. Michael was raised by Richard and Helen. And I was sent away.””
“Sent where?””
“To a family in Ohio.””
“Who arranged it?””
He smiled bitterly.
“Your father.””
I shook my head.
“That's impossible.””
“Is it?””
He opened a drawer and removed an old photograph.
It showed Daniel Carter standing beside a woman I didn't recognize.
She was holding a baby.
On the back was a handwritten note.
Matthew, one day I hope you understand why I couldn't keep you.
I stared at the words.
“My father gave you away?””
Daniel nodded.
“He said it was for my protection.””
“Why?””
“Because Richard wanted all three children under his control. He wanted the company. He wanted the inheritance. And he believed that raising all three boys would give him a claim over everything.””
I frowned.
“That doesn't explain why Dad gave you away.””
Daniel's expression hardened.
“Because your father discovered that one of us wasn't his biological son.””
I felt my stomach drop.
“What?””
Daniel walked closer.
“Three babies. Two fathers. One secret.””
He pointed at me.
“You were Daniel Carter's biological son.””
Then at himself.
“I was Richard Cole's biological son.””
He paused.
“And Michael?””
I waited.
Daniel smiled.
“Michael was the child neither man wanted.””
I stared at him.
“What does that mean?””
“Michael was born with a medical condition. Richard believed he would never be strong enough to inherit the company. Helen couldn't accept that, so she convinced Daniel to take you instead.””
I shook my head.
“That's not proof.””
Daniel opened another drawer.
Inside was a medical report.
It contained genetic test results.
The names were partially obscured, but the conclusion was clear.
*Paternity probability: 99.99%.*
Richard Cole was listed as the biological father of Daniel Bennett.
Daniel Carter was listed as the biological father of Marcus Carter.
But there was another page.
A second genetic report.
This one was dated only three months earlier.
The names were different.
Daniel Bennett.
Michael Cole.
And a third individual.
The conclusion read:
*Full biological sibling relationship confirmed.*
I stared at the page.
“If Michael is your brother, then—”
Daniel nodded.
“We share the same parents.””
I looked up.
“Then how could Dad be my biological father?””
Daniel smiled sadly.
“He wasn't.””
I froze.
He slid another document across the desk.
A DNA report.
This one showed that my biological father was not Daniel Carter.
It was a man named Thomas Bennett.
Claire's missing boyfriend.
The same man who had disappeared after my birth.
I felt the room spin.
“That's impossible.””
Daniel shook his head.
“No. Your father knew.””
“Then why did he raise me?””
“Because he loved you.””
He paused.
“And because he knew Richard would never forgive him for taking the child he believed belonged to him.””
I stared at the document.
The story was becoming more complicated with every answer.
“Why did you come back?””
Daniel looked toward the window.
“Because I want what was taken from me.””
“The company?””
“Everything.””
He leaned closer.
“My mother. My name. My inheritance. My childhood.””
“You don't even know me.””
His expression turned cold.
“I've known about you for thirty years.””
I stepped backward.
“What?””
He opened a second folder.
Inside were photographs of me.
My first day of school.
My graduation.
My engagement.
My wedding.
Some had been taken from a distance.
Others showed me inside my own home.
I felt sick.
“You've been following me?””
“I've been watching the life I should have had.””
“You're insane.””
He laughed.
“Perhaps.””
Then he placed one final photograph on the desk.
It showed Claire standing outside a hospital.
Beside her was a young man.
Thomas Bennett.
Alive.
I grabbed the photograph.
“Where did you get this?””
Daniel smiled.
“Your biological father is alive, Marcus.””
I stared at him.
“Where?””
He opened his mouth.
But before he could answer, Detective Harris entered the office.
“Mr. Carter, we have a problem.””
She held up her phone.
“Your mother has disappeared.””
My heart stopped.
“What?””
“She was at home with an officer. The officer was found unconscious in the hallway.””
I grabbed my jacket.
“Who took her?””
Detective Harris looked at Daniel.
He wasn't smiling anymore.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message appeared from an unknown number.
*If you want Evelyn back, come alone. Bring the gold key.*
A second message followed.
It contained a photograph of my mother sitting in a dark room.
Her hands were tied.
Her face was bruised.
And behind her stood a man wearing the same silver watch Richard had worn at the hotel.
But Richard was supposed to be in custody.
I looked at Detective Harris.
“That's Richard.””
She stared at the photograph.
Then Daniel slowly shook his head.
“No,” he whispered.
I turned toward him.
“What do you mean?””
Daniel pointed at the man's reflection in the window behind my mother.
“That's not Richard.””
He leaned closer to the photograph.
“That's Thomas Bennett.””
The man everyone believed had disappeared thirty years ago.
May you like
The man Claire had spent her life searching for.
And the man who had apparently just kidnapped the woman who raised me.
