Chapter 14: The Father Who Was Never Dead
I watched the recording again.
Robert Mercer stood beside Ethan's bed, one hand resting on the railing.
He looked older than the man in the photographs.
His hair was almost completely white.
But his posture was unmistakable.
He was alive.
Jonathan backed away from the screen.
“My father died eleven years ago.””
Clara shook her head.
“He was here six months ago.””
Jonathan sat down heavily.
“Why would he pretend to be dead?””
I looked at him.
“Because dead men don't have to answer questions.””
We needed answers.
And we needed to get Ethan somewhere safe.
Clara contacted the medical team while Jonathan called Margaret.
Within an hour, an attorney was on the way.
But the most important call came from Alexander.
Jonathan answered and put the phone on speaker.
“Where is our father?””
There was silence.
Then Alexander replied.
“I assume you've found Ethan.””
“Answer me.””
Alexander sighed.
“Robert is alive.””
Jonathan closed his eyes.
“Why?””
“Because he wanted to disappear.””
“Did you help him?””
Another pause.
“Yes.””
I stepped closer.
“You helped him declare a child dead?””
Alexander's voice became quieter.
“I helped him hide Ethan.””
“Why?””
“Because Robert believed Ethan's existence threatened the inheritance.””
I stared at the phone.
“He's a child!””
“I know.””
“Then why did you let him suffer?””
Alexander didn't answer.
I continued.
“You watched him grow up believing he had no family. You allowed someone to use my name to declare him dead. You let him think I had abandoned him.””
Alexander finally spoke.
“I thought I was protecting him from Robert.””
“By keeping him locked away?””
“I didn't know where else to put him.””
I laughed bitterly.
“You people have a remarkable talent for calling cruelty protection.””
Jonathan grabbed the phone.
“Where is he?””
Alexander gave us an address.
An estate in the English countryside.
Robert was living there under a different name.
Before ending the call, Alexander added:
“He knows you're coming.””
I looked at Ethan.
He was watching us from his bed.
“Are you going to leave?”” he asked.
I sat beside him.
“Not without you.””
He hesitated.
“Can I come home with you?””
I smiled.
“Yes.””
He looked down at his hands.
“Will your other children like me?””
I felt tears gather.
“They already want to meet you.””
He nodded.
Then he asked:
“Will they think I'm strange?””
I kissed his forehead.
“No. They'll think you're their brother.””
The next morning, the attorney arranged temporary guardianship and medical clearance for Ethan to travel.
Jonathan and I went to meet Robert.
The estate stood behind iron gates.
Two security guards watched us approach.
One recognized Jonathan.
“Mr. Mercer.””
Jonathan didn't return the greeting.
“Take us to Robert.””
The guard hesitated.
“He isn't receiving visitors.””
Jonathan stepped forward.
“I'm his son.””
The guard opened the gate.
We entered a large study filled with antique furniture and family portraits.
Robert sat beside the fireplace.
He was drinking tea.
He looked at me.
Then he smiled.
“Dana.””
I felt my stomach turn.
“You know my name.””
“I've known about you for years.””
“Then you know why I'm here.””
He placed his cup down.
“For the boy.””
“His name is Ethan.””
Robert nodded.
“Of course.””
I stepped closer.
“You declared him dead.””
“I made an administrative decision.””
“He was a child!””
Robert's expression didn't change.
“Children are often caught in the consequences of adult decisions.””
Jonathan moved forward.
“You told us you were dying.””
Robert looked at him.
“I was trying to preserve the family business.””
“You let us bury you!””
“I gave you what you needed to believe.””
Jonathan's face twisted.
“You let Daniel die.””
Robert finally stood.
“Daniel was reckless.””
I felt my hands clench.
“He was your son.””
“He was going to destroy everything.””
“He was trying to protect his children!””
Robert laughed softly.
“His children were not prepared to inherit an empire.””
I stepped between them.
“You don't get to decide whether my children deserve their own inheritance.””
Robert looked at me.
“You have no idea what you are involved in.””
“Then explain it.””
He walked toward the desk.
“Your mother was the daughter I loved most. She was supposed to inherit half of everything. But she chose to leave me.””
“She chose to protect herself.””
“She chose poverty.””
“She chose freedom.””
Robert's expression hardened.
“She also gave birth to Alexander.””
I turned toward my brother.
Alexander stood near the doorway.
Robert continued.
“I adopted him because I wanted to correct the mistake your mother made.””
I stared.
“You stole my brother.””
“I gave him a future.””
Alexander finally spoke.
“You gave me a prison.””
Robert turned sharply.
“Watch your tone.””
Alexander stepped forward.
“I spent my entire life trying to earn your approval. I helped you hide documents. I helped you conceal Ethan. I let you convince me Daniel was the enemy.””
Robert's eyes narrowed.
“You owe me everything.””
“No,” Alexander replied.
“I owe you nothing.””
Robert turned toward me.
“And you, Dana, have made a serious mistake coming here.””
I held up the documents.
“The authorities already have copies of everything.””
His expression changed.
“What?””
“The forged adoption records. The false death declaration. The company transfers. The hospital footage.””
Robert's hand tightened around his walking stick.
“You think evidence matters when the entire system can be influenced?””
I looked directly at him.
“Perhaps it did before. Not anymore.””
Jonathan placed another document on the desk.
“The original family charter.””
Robert stared.
Jonathan continued.
“Daniel's children are the rightful beneficiaries. And under the original charter, the person who concealed an heir forfeits any claim to the estate.””
Robert's face went pale.
Alexander placed his own signature beneath the document.
“I am withdrawing my claim.””
Robert looked at him in disbelief.
“You ungrateful boy.””
Alexander didn't flinch.
“You taught me that family was about blood. Then you spent your life destroying everyone who shared yours.””
Robert raised his hand.
A sharp knock sounded at the study door.
Two officers entered.
“Robert Mercer?””
Robert turned.
“Yes?””
“We have a warrant for your arrest.””
His face darkened.
“This is a private estate.””
The officer stepped forward.
“Not anymore.””
Robert looked at me as they approached.
“You'll regret this.””
I thought of Daniel.
Of Tessa.
Of Isabella.
Of Noah.
Of Ethan.
Then I answered:
“No. I regret every year I spent believing people like you deserved forgiveness without accountability.””
The officers escorted him outside.
Alexander remained beside the desk.
He looked exhausted.
“Dana, I know you may never forgive me.””
I studied him.
“I don't know you well enough to forgive you.””
He nodded.
“That's fair.””
“But you can start by helping us bring Ethan home.””
He looked toward the door.
“I'd like that.””
That evening, we returned to the hotel.
Ethan was waiting with Clara.
He had packed a small bag.
Inside were three shirts, a book, and a photograph of Daniel.
I knelt beside him.
“Ready?””
He nodded.
Then he asked:
“Will I have my own room?””
I smiled.
“If you want one.””
“Can I share with my brother sometimes?””
I laughed softly.
“Caleb and Mason may argue about who gets to show you everything first.””
Ethan smiled.
For the first time, I saw a little happiness in his face.
But before we could leave, my phone rang.
Margaret.
“Dana, there's been a development.””
“What happened?””
“The police searched Marjorie's financial records.””
“And?””
“They discovered a final transfer.””
I frowned.
“What transfer?””
Margaret lowered her voice.
“Marjorie moved the remaining Mercer assets into an account registered to someone named Rachel Collins.””
I froze.
“Rachel? Noah's mother?””
“Yes.””
“Why would she do that?””
Margaret paused.
“Because Rachel has just filed a claim stating that Noah is the only legitimate heir.””
I looked at Ethan.
Then at Jonathan.
May you like
The family war wasn't over.
Not even close.
