Chapter 13 - The Brother Who Didn't Exist
Ethan had spent thirty-six years believing he was an only child.
By midnight, that belief was gone.
Vanessa, recovering after surgery, told the story in pieces.
Richard Bennett had a son before Ethan.
Daniel Cross.
Evelyn's son.
Vanessa's half-brother.
Claire stared at Vanessa from the chair beside the hospital window.
"So Evelyn had a child with Ethan's father?"
Vanessa nodded.
"Before Richard married Ethan's mother. He paid Evelyn to keep quiet. Daniel was raised under her last name."
Ethan stood rigid near the door.
"And where is he now?"
Vanessa looked at him.
"You met him."
Silence.
"When?"
"At Blackwood."
Claire remembered the man cutting the rope ladder.
"The man in the dark cap."
Vanessa nodded.
Ethan's face hardened.
"He tried to kill Claire."
"No. He tried to get the lockbox."
"That's supposed to make me feel better?"
"Daniel has spent his whole life believing you took everything that should have been his."
Claire folded her arms.
"And Emma threatens him too."
Vanessa looked away.
That was answer enough.
Ethan leaned closer.
"Did Daniel work with Mercer?"
"Sometimes. They wanted the same thing for different reasons. Mercer wanted money. Daniel wanted recognition and control of the trust."
"And you?"
Vanessa's eyes met his.
"I wanted you."
Claire almost laughed at the ugliness of how simple it sounded.
Vanessa continued before either of them could speak.
"When we were young, I convinced myself Mara stole a life that belonged to me. I intercepted letters. I told Richard she was pregnant. After that, it became bigger than me. I was scared to undo it."
"So you kept a child hidden for eight years," Claire said.
"I helped keep her alive too."
"You don't get a medal for not finishing what you started."
Vanessa looked like the words hit harder than the bullet had.
A nurse entered.
"Mr. Bennett? There are officers outside asking for Mrs. Cross's statement."
Ethan nodded.
Claire stepped into the hallway with him.
Emma was asleep in a nearby family room with Ruth.
For the first time all day, Ethan looked tired instead of angry.
"I have a daughter," he said quietly.
Claire took his hand.
"Yes."
"And a brother who wants her gone."
"Maybe."
"That's not exactly the fatherhood speech I imagined."
Claire leaned her head against his shoulder.
His phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
A text message.
YOU FOUND EMMA. NOW FIND OUT WHAT YOUR WIFE HASN'T TOLD YOU.
May you like
Attached was a photograph of Claire entering a fertility clinic two years earlier.
