Chapter 7: The Brother From The Past
I watched the footage again.
And again.
Every time, the same impossible truth stared back at me.
Thomas.
My older brother.
The person who taught me how to ride a bicycle.
The person who stayed awake with me after our parents died.
The person I buried twelve years ago.
Except he wasn't dead.
He was standing in my hotel lobby.
Watching me.
Watching Lily.
"I need answers.""
Ethan looked concerned.
"Daniel, are you sure?""
I pointed at the screen.
"I know my brother.""
But even as I said it, doubt entered my mind.
Because if Thomas was alive...
Why had he stayed away?
Why had he let me believe he was gone?
I drove home that night without security.
I needed silence.
But silence never came.
Lily was sitting on the couch drawing.
She looked up.
"Daddy.""
"Yeah?""
"Can I ask you something?""
I sat beside her.
"Of course.""
"Did Mommy leave because of me?""
The question hit harder than any attack.
I turned toward her.
"Why would you think that?""
She shrugged.
"Someone online said you didn't want us.""
My hands tightened.
Someone had shown a child the lies they created.
I forced myself to stay calm.
"Lily, listen to me.""
She looked at me.
"You are the best thing that ever happened to me.""
"Really?""
"Really.""
I held her hand.
"Nothing could ever make me leave you.""
She smiled.
A small smile.
But enough.
After she went to bed, I received a message.
One sentence.
*Meet me alone if you want the truth about Thomas.*
No name.
No number.
But I knew.
Richard.
I went.
Not because it was smart.
Because I needed answers.
The meeting location was an abandoned restaurant downtown.
The lights were off.
The chairs were covered in dust.
A figure stood near the window.
Not Richard.
Thomas.
He turned slowly.
For twelve years, I imagined this moment.
I imagined anger.
I imagined questions.
I imagined revenge.
But when I saw him...
I only felt pain.
"Daniel.""
My throat tightened.
"You're alive.""
He looked away.
"Yes.""
"Everyone thought you were dead.""
"I know.""
"Everyone mourned you.""
"I know.""
I stepped closer.
"Did you?""
His face changed.
"Did I what?""
"Did you ever think about what you did to us?""
Thomas looked down.
"Every day.""
I laughed bitterly.
"That's supposed to make it better?""
"No.""
His voice broke.
"It doesn't.""
For the first time, I saw something I never expected.
Regret.
"Why?""
I asked.
"Why did you disappear?""
Thomas sat down.
"Because Richard made sure I couldn't come back.""
I stared at him.
"Richard?""
Thomas nodded.
"Your partner destroyed more than your company, Daniel.""
He took a deep breath.
"He destroyed our family.""
I listened.
"Years ago, I discovered Richard was planning to take control of Brooks Hospitality.""
I frowned.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because he found out.""
Thomas looked at me.
"He threatened everyone I loved.""
The room became silent.
"He threatened you.""
I shook my head.
"That doesn't explain why you disappeared.""
Thomas looked at me.
"Because I had proof.""
"What proof?""
He reached into his jacket.
A small flash drive.
"This contains everything.""
I took it.
"What is it?""
"The reason Richard needed Sarah gone.""
My heart stopped.
"Sarah?""
Thomas nodded.
"Your daughter wasn't the secret.""
He looked directly at me.
"The secret was who her mother was.""
Before I could ask another question, the lights flickered.
Thomas looked toward the door.
His expression changed.
"He's here.""
"Who?""
A voice answered from the darkness.
"Me.""
Richard stepped into the room.
Smiling.
May you like
And behind him stood someone I never expected.
Sarah.
