Chapter 7: The Man Who Was My Real Father
“I'm your father.””
The words seemed to drain every sound from the room.
I stared at the stranger standing in the doorway.
His silver hair, the scar along his jaw, and the tears gathering in his eyes were details I could see clearly.
But his words made no sense.
I looked down at the birth certificate.
Then back at him.
“No.””
Daniel Reynolds lowered his hands.
“Marcus, I know this is difficult.””
“No. You're not going to walk into a room and tell me you're my father because you have a piece of paper.””
He nodded slowly.
“You're right.””
I held up the certificate.
“Then explain this.””
Daniel stepped closer, but Detective Mitchell immediately raised her hand.
“Stay where you are.””
He stopped.
“Your grandmother changed the trust documents shortly before you were born. Richard was furious because he believed Catherine intended to give me control of the company.””
I shook my head.
“Why would Richard raise another man's child?””
Daniel looked at me sadly.
“Because he wanted my son.””
I felt sick.
“Why?””
“Because Richard couldn't have children.””
I stared.
Daniel continued.
“Your mother, Catherine, knew the truth. Richard had been told he was infertile. When I married your mother, she became pregnant with you.””
I looked at the birth certificate again.
“Richard knew?””
“Yes.””
“And he pretended to be my father?””
Daniel nodded.
“He convinced Catherine that raising you together would protect you from the family scandal. Then, after you were born, he began changing the company records and isolating her.””
I felt something break inside me.
My entire childhood had been built around a lie.
The man who taught me to ride a bicycle.
The man who attended my school plays.
The man who gave me my first business suit.
The man I had called Dad for thirty-eight years.
He wasn't my father.
And my real father had been missing for nearly three decades.
I looked at Daniel.
“Why didn't you come back?””
His expression crumpled.
“Because Richard made sure I couldn't.””
He pulled a folded photograph from his coat.
It showed a younger Daniel holding a newborn baby.
The baby wore a small blue hospital cap.
On the back, in Catherine's handwriting, were four words.
My son. My grandson. Forever.
Daniel handed it to me.
“I held you for eleven minutes before Richard's men took me away.””
I couldn't look at him.
Detective Mitchell stepped forward.
“Mr. Reynolds, we need to establish your identity and verify these documents. Until then, nobody leaves.””
Daniel nodded.
“Of course.””
Then he looked at me.
“But there's something else you need to know.””
I was almost afraid to ask.
“What?””
“Richard didn't just steal you from me. He used your identity to maintain control of Catherine's trust.””
I frowned.
“How?””
Daniel explained that Catherine had created a complicated family succession arrangement. Her estate was intended to pass through her descendants, with Daniel serving as its original guardian.
When Richard removed Daniel from the family records, he placed himself in control of the trust.
But the arrangement had one condition.
If Daniel's biological descendants were located, they could challenge Richard's authority.
I looked at the birth certificate.
“So he raised me to make sure I never found out.””
“Yes.””
“And Elena?””
Daniel's eyes darkened.
“Your wife found the original trust documents. She discovered that Lily was Catherine's designated beneficiary.””
I looked toward Detective Mitchell.
“Then why did Richard imprison her?””
Daniel hesitated.
“Because Elena also discovered that Richard had been using the company to finance something much bigger.””
“What?””
Before he could answer, my phone vibrated.
A message had arrived from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph of Ava and Lily sleeping in Daniel Brooks's townhouse.
My blood turned cold.
Underneath it were six words.
*THE CHILDREN ARE NOT SAFE THERE.*
I immediately called Daniel Brooks.
He answered on the second ring.
“Marcus?””
“Where are the girls?””
“At the townhouse. Why?””
“Get them out. Now.””
“What happened?””
I sent him the photograph.
There was a long silence.
Then I heard him shout.
“Security! Get upstairs!””
A loud crash came through the phone.
“Daniel?””
No answer.
“Daniel!””
Then the call disconnected.
I turned toward Detective Mitchell.
“Someone is inside the townhouse.””
She immediately called for backup.
Daniel Reynolds approached me.
“I know where Richard keeps his private security headquarters.””
I stared at him.
“How?””
“Because I helped build it.””
He explained that the Reynolds estate contained an underground operations facility connected to several properties through private service tunnels.
Richard had used the network to move money, store documents, and keep certain people hidden.
I looked at the old medical room.
“Was Elena held there?””
“No. The pool chamber was built later. But the same contractors constructed both facilities.””
Detective Mitchell returned.
“Units are responding to the townhouse. We need to move.””
I turned toward Daniel.
“You're coming with us.””
He nodded.
As we reached the garage, my phone rang again.
This time, it was Elena.
I answered immediately.
“Baby?””
Her voice was trembling.
“Marcus, where are you?””
“I'm with the police. What's wrong?””
“I woke up, and the girls were gone.””
My chest tightened.
“What?””
“Someone came into the house. Daniel Brooks tried to stop them.””
“Where are you?””
“In the safe room. Marcus, listen to me. They left something.””
“What?””
Elena began crying.
“A note.””
I gripped the phone.
“What does it say?””
She took a shaky breath.
“Richard wants Lily back.””
I looked at Daniel Reynolds.
He had gone pale.
Then Elena whispered:
“And he says if we don't return her, he'll tell everyone who Lily's real father is.””
I frowned.
“What are you talking about? Lily is my daughter.””
There was a long silence.
Then Elena said:
“Marcus, Lily isn't Richard's only stolen child.””
I stopped walking.
“What?””
“Catherine had another granddaughter. A baby who disappeared before Lily was born.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Who?””
Elena whispered:
“Vanessa.””
The phone slipped slightly in my hand.
Vanessa.
My former fiancée.
The woman who had helped imprison my wife.
The woman who had lived in my house.
The woman who had spent eleven months pretending to love me.
She was Catherine's granddaughter?
Before I could respond, Detective Mitchell received a radio transmission.
“Suspect vehicle located. Two children recovered.””
I closed my eyes in relief.
Then the officer continued.
“One adult female is with them.””
I grabbed the radio.
“Who?””
“Vanessa Cole.””
My blood ran cold.
May you like
Because if Vanessa was Catherine's granddaughter, she might have been involved in the entire operation for a reason far more personal than money.
And I was about to discover why she had chosen me.
