Chapter 9: The Truth About My Father
My father looked older than I imagined.
Not because of age.
Because of fear.
The man on the screen wasn’t running from responsibility.
He was running from danger.
“Ethan,” he said.
“I don’t know how old you are when you see this.””
I moved closer.
“But if you’re watching, I failed to protect you.””
I felt my throat tighten.
My entire life, I thought he abandoned me.
But he had been fighting for me.
“I discovered Arthur Parker was using his company to steal from investors.””
The video continued.
“Daniel helped me gather evidence.””
I looked at Richard.
He was watching beside me.
“My brother…”
His voice broke.
“My brother tried to stop him.””
The room went silent.
My father continued.
“The evidence is hidden where nobody would look.””
He looked directly into the camera.
“The key is not valuable because of what it opens.””
A pause.
“It is valuable because of what it proves.””
The video ended.
Neither of us spoke.
Finally Richard whispered:
“Daniel wasn’t your enemy.””
I looked at him.
“He was helping my father.””
Richard nodded.
“My father killed him.””
The truth landed like a weight.
All these years.
All the lies.
All the damage.
Arthur Parker had destroyed his own family.
My phone rang.
Vanessa.
I answered.
“Ethan.””
Her voice was shaking.
“My father knows.””
“Knows what?””
“Everything.””
I stood.
“Where are you?””
“At my house.””
“Leave.””
“I can’t.””
“What?””
A pause.
Then:
“He has the key.””
My blood ran cold.
“What key?””
The line went silent.
Then Vanessa whispered:
“The key your mother hid.””
I grabbed my coat.
“Vanessa, listen to me. Get out of there.””
A crash came through the phone.
Then her voice:
“Ethan…”
“What?””
“He found the documents.””
A pause.
“He knows your father left something else.””
“What?””
Her voice became almost impossible to hear.
“He knows your father left you the company.””
The call ended.
I ran.
But when I reached Vanessa’s house…
May you like
The front door was open.
And someone was waiting inside.
