Chapter 10: The Man Who Claimed to Be My Father
Thomas Carter stood in the doorway as though he owned the house.
He wore a charcoal-gray suit, a silver tie, and an expression of complete confidence. Two men in dark coats stood behind him.
Nobody spoke.
My eyes remained fixed on the medical document lying on the table.
*BIOLOGICAL FATHER: THOMAS CARTER.*
I looked at Richard.
He was staring at his older brother with an expression I had never seen before.
“You knew,” Richard whispered.
Thomas removed his gloves.
“Of course I knew.””
“You told me Elizabeth's children were dead.””
“They were supposed to be.””
Richard stepped toward him.
“You monster.””
Thomas didn't flinch.
“Careful, Richard. You're still the man who paid a doctor to make a problem disappear.””
Richard froze.
I looked between them.
“What is he talking about?””
Thomas smiled.
“Your father is not the innocent businessman he pretends to be.””
Richard's jaw tightened.
“Don't listen to him.””
Thomas approached the table and picked up the DNA report.
“Interesting, isn't it? Brianna has a report saying you're not Richard's daughter. And I have an original medical record suggesting you're mine.””
I stared at him.
“Which one is true?””
Thomas leaned down until his face was level with mine.
“Both documents can be true.””
My stomach twisted.
“What?””
He smiled.
“Because the man listed as your father on the original medical record was me. But that doesn't mean Richard isn't your biological father.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Stop playing games.””
Thomas glanced at him.
“Daniel. Still following your sister around like a loyal dog?””
“Stay away from her.””
Thomas laughed.
“She's been away from this family for twenty-four years. Suddenly everyone wants to protect her.””
He turned toward me.
“Do you know why Elizabeth gave birth to you in secret?””
“Because she was afraid of you.””
“Partly.””
Thomas pulled a chair toward the table.
“Your mother and I had a relationship before she became involved with Richard. She discovered she was pregnant and believed I would marry her.””
Richard's face twisted.
“That's a lie.””
Thomas ignored him.
“Then she became involved with my younger brother. When she discovered she was carrying another child, she couldn't tell either of us who the father was.””
I looked at Richard.
He appeared devastated.
“Elizabeth never told me that.””
Thomas nodded.
“Because she knew what would happen.””
He placed another document beside the DNA report.
It was an old photograph of Elizabeth.
She stood between two men.
Richard on her left.
Thomas on her right.
Both were holding her hands.
I felt sick.
“You're both saying you loved my mother?””
Thomas smiled.
“I loved her enough to give her everything.””
Richard suddenly slammed his fist against the table.
“You gave her nothing but fear!””
Thomas's expression hardened.
“And you gave her nothing but promises.””
The room fell silent.
I looked at the lawyer.
“Can someone explain why my DNA report says zero percent?””
The lawyer adjusted his glasses.
“Miss Carter, the report is preliminary. I cannot verify the laboratory's chain of custody.””
Daniel immediately grabbed the paper.
“Meaning someone could have switched the samples.””
“Precisely.””
Thomas chuckled.
“You always were clever, Daniel.””
Daniel looked at him.
“Where is Alexander Reed?””
For the first time, Thomas's expression changed.
Only slightly.
But I noticed.
“Dead,” he replied.
Michael stepped forward.
“That's not true.””
Thomas turned.
“Michael Williams. My mother's favorite mistake.””
Michael clenched his fists.
“You know where he is.””
Thomas smiled.
“Perhaps.””
Richard grabbed the medical document.
“You're going to explain everything.””
Thomas straightened his tie.
“I have already explained enough. The trust belongs to the rightful bloodline. And according to this report, the girl is mine.””
I looked at him.
“What do you want?””
His smile widened.
“Your signature.””
He removed another document from his briefcase.
It was a transfer agreement.
If I signed, my entire inheritance would be transferred to a company controlled by Thomas.
“Why would I do that?””
“Because I can give you something Richard never could.””
“What?””
“The truth.””
He placed a photograph in front of me.
It showed Elizabeth sitting in a hospital bed.
She looked pale, but she was smiling.
Beside her stood a man wearing a doctor's coat.
Alexander Reed.
On the back was a handwritten message.
Thomas, the children are safe. Richard must never know what happened in Room 307.
I looked up.
“What happened in Room 307?””
Thomas leaned closer.
“Your mother didn't die during childbirth.””
Richard closed his eyes.
Thomas continued.
“She was alive when the children were separated. She was alive when I took Daniel away. And she was alive when you were handed to Margaret.””
My throat tightened.
“Where did she go?””
Thomas smiled.
“That's what your signature will buy you.””
I stared at the agreement.
Then I pushed it away.
“I won't sign.””
His smile disappeared.
“Think carefully.””
“I have.””
He turned toward his security men.
“Take her.””
Daniel immediately stepped in front of my wheelchair.
“Touch her and you'll regret it.””
Richard grabbed his phone.
“Security!””
Thomas calmly raised one hand.
The two men stopped.
He looked at me.
“Fine. Keep your money. Keep your questions.””
Then he walked toward the door.
But before leaving, he turned around.
“One final thing. The man you believe is your brother has been lying to you.””
He pointed at Michael.
“Ask him why your mother was still alive when he last saw her.””
Michael's face drained of color.
Thomas smiled.
“Good night, family.””
The door closed.
I turned toward Michael.
“Is it true?””
He looked down.
“Not exactly.””
“Then tell me what happened.””
Michael slowly sat down.
“I saw Elizabeth alive eleven years after she supposedly died.””
The room went silent.
Richard stepped forward.
“Where?””
Michael looked at me.
“In a private care facility outside Boston.””
My heart began racing.
“Was she conscious?””
Michael nodded.
“She recognized me.””
I grabbed his hand.
“Did she say anything?””
Michael's eyes filled with tears.
“Yes.””
He took a breath.
“She asked me to find her daughter.””
Then he reached into his pocket and removed a small photograph.
It showed a woman sitting beside a window.
Her hair was silver now.
But her eyes were unmistakable.
May you like
My mother was alive.
And she had been waiting for me.
