Chapter 9: The Truth About My Father
I thought I knew my father.
I was wrong.
I thought he was a simple man who worked with his hands.
I was wrong.
I thought he was a victim.
I was wrong.
The truth was much bigger.
And much harder to accept.
“Explain the agreement,” I said.
My father looked tired.
Like he had been waiting decades for this moment.
“When George started stealing from the company, I could have destroyed him.””
“Then why didn’t you?””
“Because his daughter was young.””
I stared.
“Fiona?””
He nodded.
“I knew what losing everything would do to her.””
I couldn’t believe it.
After everything George had done.
My father still thought about his family.
“So you protected him.””
“Yes.””
“And he hated you for it?””
My father looked down.
“Some people would rather be angry than grateful.””
Evelyn nodded.
“That’s George.””
She explained everything.
My father had discovered the fraud.
Instead of sending George to prison, he created an agreement.
George would leave the company.
He would receive financial support.
He could rebuild his life.
But he had to admit what he did.
George refused.
He wanted power.
Not forgiveness.
“He told everyone your father forced him out,” Evelyn said.
I shook my head.
“And my mother?””
Evelyn looked away.
“She was the only person who knew the complete story.””
The room became quiet.
“George blamed her.””
A cold feeling moved through me.
“Did he hurt her?””
Nobody answered immediately.
Then my father spoke.
“We never proved it.””
That answer was worse than yes.
My hands tightened.
“All these years…”
My father reached for my hand.
“I’m sorry.””
I looked at him.
“For what?””
“For making you grow up believing I was ordinary.””
I shook my head.
“No.””
I swallowed.
“For making me believe you were alone.””
His eyes filled with tears.
“I was never alone.””
He looked at me.
“I had you.””
That moment broke something inside me.
For years, I thought my father needed me to protect him.
I finally understood.
He had been protecting me the entire time.
Then my phone buzzed.
Fiona.
I stared at the name.
My father noticed.
“You don’t have to answer.””
But I did.
“Hello?””
Her voice was shaking.
“Blake.””
I said nothing.
“I need to talk to you.””
“Why?””
“Because I found out something.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Everyone keeps finding out things.””
“Please.””
I heard fear in her voice.
Not guilt.
Fear.
“What happened?””
A pause.
Then she whispered:
“My father wasn’t acting alone.””
I stood.
“What?””
“There’s someone else.””
“Who?””
Her breathing changed.
“Someone inside your father’s company.””
I looked at Michael.
His expression changed.
Fiona continued.
“Someone who has been helping him for years.””
The room became silent.
“Blake…”
“Who is it?””
Her voice dropped.
May you like
And the name she said next froze me completely.
“It’s someone your father trusts more than anyone.””
