Chapter 14: The Father Who Never Left
I couldn’t move.
The world around me disappeared.
The trees.
The cars.
The voices from people walking nearby.
Everything faded.
Because the impossible had just spoken.
My father was alive.
“Who are you?””
The man on the phone laughed quietly.
“You really don’t recognize my voice?””
My hand tightened around the phone.
“Where are you?””
Another pause.
“Somewhere I should have left years ago.””
“Tell me who you are.””
“You already know.””
I ended the call.
I didn’t want another mystery.
I wanted facts.
But my hands were shaking.
Because deep down, I knew.
I called the number back.
This time, someone answered.
“Marcus.””
“Dad?””
Silence.
Then:
“Yes.””
I sat down.
My knees almost gave out.
“Why?””
It was the only word I could say.
Why?
Why fake your death?
Why disappear?
Why let me believe I lost another person?
“I was trying to protect you.””
I laughed.
Everyone said that.
Everyone used those words.
Protect.
Help.
Save.
But every secret had destroyed something.
“You don’t get to say that.””
“I know.””
“Do you?””
My voice broke.
“Do you know what it was like?””
Silence.
“I buried you.””
“I know.””
“No, you don’t.””
I stood.
“I stood at your funeral.””
My father was quiet.
“I watched people cry.””
“I know.””
“I told Ava her grandfather was gone.””
A long pause.
Then:
“I’m sorry.””
The apology made me angrier.
Because sorry was too small.
“Where are you?””
He gave me an address.
A small cabin outside the city.
I drove there alone.
I didn’t tell Emily.
I didn’t tell Ava.
Some part of me was afraid that if I involved anyone else, another piece of my life would break.
The cabin was old.
Quiet.
Hidden.
My father opened the door before I knocked.
And there he was.
Older.
Thinner.
But alive.
I stared at him.
He looked at me with tears in his eyes.
“My son.””
I stepped back.
“Don’t.””
He nodded.
“I understand.””
“No, you don’t.””
I walked inside.
“You left me.””
“Yes.””
“You let me think you were dead.””
“Yes.””
“You knew about Ava.””
His face changed.
“Yes.””
“Then tell me everything.””
He sat down.
“I met Rachel before you.””
I closed my eyes.
“Everyone did.””
“She was scared.””
“Everyone was.””
“She was pregnant.””
My eyes opened.
“And?””
He looked at me.
“She believed you were the father.””
I froze.
“What?””
“She never knew for certain.””
I stared.
“But the birth certificate…”
“I signed it.””
My heart pounded.
“You?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because Rachel begged me.””
I shook my head.
“She asked you to pretend?””
“No.””
He looked down.
“She asked me to disappear.””
The room went silent.
“Why?””
“Because Richard found out.””
“About you?””
“Yes.””
“And he threatened you.””
My father nodded.
“He wanted control of Ava’s inheritance.””
“Why did you fake your death?””
“Because Richard made me choose.””
My hands curled.
“What choice?””
“Leave forever or watch him destroy everyone.””
I stared at him.
“You chose to leave.””
“I chose to keep you alive.””
I wanted to hate him.
I did.
But seeing the pain on his face made it complicated.
“What about Rachel?””
His eyes filled.
“She tried to fight.””
“And?””
“She got too close.””
My heart stopped.
“You’re saying Richard killed her.””
My father looked away.
“I’m saying Richard knew she was in danger.””
“That’s not an answer.””
“No.””
He swallowed.
“It isn’t.””
My phone buzzed.
A message.
From Vanessa.
A video.
I opened it.
It showed Richard.
Talking to someone.
The person beside him was my father.
But the date was recent.
Not eight years ago.
Last month.
My blood turned cold.
I looked at my father.
“You were working with Richard.””
His face changed.
“No.””
“You were.””
“No.””
“Then explain this.””
I showed him the video.
He went pale.
“Where did you get that?””
“Vanessa.””
He closed his eyes.
“Marcus…”
“What?””
He whispered:
“Vanessa recorded everything.””
I stared.
“Why?””
“Because she was never trying to expose Richard.””
“Then what was she doing?””
My father looked at me.
“She was collecting evidence.””
I frowned.
“Against who?””
May you like
His answer came quietly.
“Everyone.””
