Chapter 9: The Man Who Erased My Name
The next morning, Sarah took me to a place I had never been.
A small office downtown.
The sign outside was faded.
The building looked abandoned.
But Sarah walked inside like she had been there before.
“You’ve been here?””
She nodded.
“Years ago.””
The answer bothered me.
“Why?””
She looked at me.
“Because this is where I learned your father had taken you.””
Inside, the office was empty.
Dust covered the desks.
Old papers were stacked in corners.
A broken clock hung on the wall.
Sarah walked to a filing cabinet.
“He used to work here.””
“Richard Voss?””
She nodded.
“He handled family cases.””
She opened a drawer.
Nothing.
“He was supposed to help me.””
My chest tightened.
“And he didn’t.””
“No.””
She looked at the empty cabinet.
“He helped them.””
I walked around the room.
“So what did he do?””
Sarah looked at me.
“He changed the story.””
I waited.
“When Daniel and Emily claimed I abandoned you, Richard created documents that supported them.””
“But they were fake.””
“Yes.””
“How did nobody find out?””
Sarah’s expression became painful.
“Because he made sure the evidence disappeared.””
My phone buzzed.
A message.
From an unknown number.
I opened it.
A photo.
A man standing outside the office.
Richard Voss.
The message said:
You’re looking in the wrong place.
I looked outside.
The street was empty.
“He’s watching us.””
Sarah grabbed my arm.
“Ethan.””
Another message appeared.
This time:
Ask your father why Richard quit the case after one week.
I stared at the words.
Then called Dad.
He answered immediately.
“Where are you?””
The question surprised me.
“You know?””
Silence.
“Dad.””
His voice lowered.
“Get away from there.””
“Why?””
“Because Richard Voss is dangerous.””
I looked at Sarah.
“You knew.””
“I knew he was involved.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I was trying to protect you.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Everyone says that.””
“Ethan, listen to me.””
“No.””
My voice shook.
“I want answers.””
A long pause.
Then Dad said:
“Richard wasn’t just the lawyer.””
“What was he?””
“He was Emily’s boyfriend.””
I froze.
Sarah closed her eyes.
I whispered:
“What?””
Dad continued.
“I found out years later.””
“How much later?””
“Six months after you disappeared.””
My hands went cold.
“You’re telling me Emily and this lawyer were together?””
“Yes.””
“And you still let them be around me?””
“I didn’t know.””
“But you found out.””
Silence.
“Dad.””
“I was afraid.””
There it was again.
The same excuse.
The same wound.
I ended the call.
Sarah looked at me.
“You understand now.””
“Understand what?””
“Your father wasn’t only fighting against me.””
She looked around the empty office.
“He was fighting against people who had already planned everything.””
I walked toward the window.
Across the street, a black car was parked.
Someone was inside.
Watching.
“Sarah.””
She followed my eyes.
Her face changed.
“Don’t move.””
Too late.
The car door opened.
A man stepped out.
Older.
Gray hair.
Perfect suit.
He crossed the street slowly.
Like he had all the time in the world.
Sarah whispered:
“Richard.””
The man entered the building.
He smiled when he saw me.
Not surprised.
Not confused.
Prepared.
“Ethan Carter.””
My heart pounded.
“How do you know me?””
He looked at Sarah.
Then back at me.
“Because I’m the man who made sure the world forgot you existed.””
Nobody moved.
Richard adjusted his coat.
Then said something that made Sarah go pale.
“Your father didn’t steal you from her.””
May you like
He looked directly at me.
“I did.””
