Chapter 11: Two Sons, One Inheritance
I looked at Daniel.
Then at my father.
For the first time in twelve years, Thomas Vance stood in front of me.
His hair had turned almost completely white.
His face was thinner.
There were deep lines around his eyes.
But he was unmistakably my father.
I wanted to run toward him.
I wanted to hug him.
I wanted to demand why he'd abandoned us.
Instead, I stood frozen.
"Hello, Dad.""
His eyes finally moved toward me.
Something broke across his expression.
"Ethan.""
He took one step forward.
I didn't move.
"Why?""
He stopped.
"I know.""
"No, you don't.""
My voice cracked.
"You let me bury you. You let Mom believe you were dead. You let me spend twelve years thinking I had lost everyone.""
He lowered his head.
"I was trying to protect you.""
"From Daniel?""
My brother laughed.
"Here we go again.""
Thomas turned toward him.
"Daniel, put the gun down.""
Daniel tightened his grip.
"You always say that.""
"Nobody needs to get hurt.""
"That's what you said when you handed me over to Edward.""
My father closed his eyes.
I looked between them.
"What is he talking about?""
Thomas slowly raised his head.
"When Daniel disappeared, I believed Edward had kidnapped him.""
"Didn't he?""
"Not exactly.""
Daniel's face twisted.
"Tell him.""
Thomas took a breath.
"Edward had been working with the Morrisons. He wanted access to the company. He threatened to expose certain financial arrangements unless I gave him control.""
"And you gave him Daniel," I said.
My father looked devastated.
"I was told Daniel would be safe.""
Daniel laughed bitterly.
"You signed the papers.""
I stared.
"What papers?""
Daniel lowered the gun slightly.
"The adoption reversal documents.""
My father nodded.
"I was desperate.""
"Thomas, you didn't have to do that," Daniel said.
"You could have fought.""
"I was afraid they would hurt you.""
"So you let them take me.""
My father didn't answer.
I felt sick.
The man I'd worshipped as a child had made a decision that destroyed another child's life.
Daniel continued.
"I spent years moving between houses. Different names. Different schools. Edward told me you didn't want me.""
My mother had been right.
Daniel had been abandoned.
And unlike me, he'd grown up believing his family had deliberately thrown him away.
I took a step forward.
"Daniel, I didn't know.""
He looked at me.
"That's the problem, Ethan. You never knew anything. You lived your perfect life while everyone else cleaned up the mess.""
"I didn't ask for that.""
"No. You just accepted it.""
I swallowed.
"What do you want?""
Daniel looked at the floor.
"Everything.""
My father stepped forward.
"Daniel, the company isn't worth this.""
"Easy for you to say.""
"Your mother never stopped looking for you.""
Daniel's expression changed.
"Don't.""
"She kept your room.""
"Stop.""
"She still has your drawings.""
Daniel's eyes filled.
For a moment, the anger disappeared.
Then he raised his chin.
"Where was she when I needed her?""
My father looked broken.
"I was wrong.""
Daniel shook his head.
"You're too late.""
Detective Harris moved slightly.
"Daniel, put the weapon down.""
My brother glanced at him.
Then back at me.
"You know what's funny? I didn't even want to hurt Ethan.""
I stared.
"What?""
"I wanted the company. I wanted the shares. I wanted the family to finally recognize that I existed.""
He looked at my father.
"But Edward wanted something else.""
My father's face tightened.
"Where is he?""
Daniel smiled.
"Waiting.""
"Waiting for what?""
Daniel pointed toward a table.
A laptop sat open.
On the screen was a live video feed of Vance Industries headquarters.
The boardroom was full.
Richard Coleman stood at the head of the table.
Beside him sat Chad Morrison.
I frowned.
"How is Chad there?""
Daniel shrugged.
"He was released this morning.""
Detective Harris immediately reached for his radio.
"That's impossible.""
Daniel laughed.
"Apparently, your system has a few weaknesses.""
The video feed changed.
A document appeared on the screen.
It was a resolution removing me from the company.
Richard signed it.
Then Chad.
Then a seventh signature appeared.
Edward Vance.
My father stepped toward the laptop.
"No.""
Daniel watched him.
"It's already done.""
I stared at the screen.
"That resolution is illegal.""
Daniel nodded.
"Which is why they need the original agreement.""
My father looked at me.
"Don't let them have it.""
I frowned.
"Where is it?""
Thomas turned toward Daniel.
"Your mother has it.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Mom?""
He nodded.
"She kept the original documents after I disappeared.""
Daniel looked surprised.
"That's impossible.""
My father continued.
"Edward never knew where she hid them.""
I looked at Daniel.
"Then why have you been helping him?""
He hesitated.
For the first time, he looked uncertain.
"Because he promised to give me control of the company.""
"And you believed him?""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"He said I deserved what was taken from me.""
I stepped closer.
"He told you what you wanted to hear.""
Daniel shook his head.
"You don't understand.""
"Then explain it.""
He looked toward the window.
"Edward promised to reveal the truth about my adoption. He said your father had signed everything willingly.""
Thomas closed his eyes.
"I did.""
Daniel turned sharply.
"What?""
"I signed the documents. I was terrified. I thought I was saving your life.""
Daniel's hand began shaking.
"You let me believe Edward had taken me.""
"I was ashamed.""
"You let me hate the wrong person.""
Thomas nodded.
"Yes.""
For several seconds, Daniel looked as though he might collapse.
Then a phone rang.
It came from the table.
Daniel answered.
"Yes?""
A man's voice filled the room.
Edward.
"Daniel, we have a problem.""
Daniel glanced at us.
"What?""
"The old woman has been found.""
My stomach dropped.
"Who?"" Daniel asked.
Edward's voice became colder.
"Your mother.""
I lunged toward the phone.
"Where is she?""
The voice paused.
Then laughed.
"Ethan. What a pleasant surprise.""
I recognized the voice from the recording.
My father's twin.
Edward Vance.
"Where is my mother?""
"Safe. For now.""
My father stepped forward.
"Edward, leave Evelyn out of this.""
"Thomas. Still pretending you're the good brother?""
Edward laughed.
"You should have stayed dead.""
Then he continued.
"Daniel, bring me the original agreement by six tonight. If you don't, Evelyn disappears.""
The call ended.
Daniel stared at the phone.
I looked at him.
"Where is my mother?""
He shook his head.
"I don't know.""
My father gripped the edge of the table.
"Edward has her.""
Detective Harris immediately ordered officers to secure the estate.
But I was already moving toward the door.
I had spent six months recovering from an accident.
I had spent twelve years grieving a living father.
I had spent my entire life believing my family was gone.
May you like
I wasn't losing my mother too.
And this time, I wasn't going to let anyone decide who deserved to survive.
