Chapter 4: The Brother Who Never Died
The investigation changed after that.
Sabrina was no longer a frightened wife.
She was a suspect.
But Daniel still could not understand the biggest question.
How could a dead man appear in his house?
The answer came from an old family file hidden in the Mercer company archives.
Daniel, Claire, and the detective sat in a private office surrounded by documents.
The detective placed a folder down.
“Ethan Mercer did not die.””
Daniel stared.
“What?””
“He disappeared.””
Daniel opened the folder.
Inside were old photographs.
Two boys.
Two brothers.
Daniel and Ethan.
The sight hit him harder than he expected.
Memories came back like broken glass.
Ethan stealing his car keys.
Ethan laughing.
Ethan saying:
“You always get everything, Daniel.””
Claire touched his arm.
“You remember?””
Daniel shook his head.
“Pieces.””
The detective continued.
“Ethan disappeared after your accident.””
Daniel looked up.
“Why?””
The detective hesitated.
“Because he was involved.””
The room became colder.
“Involved how?””
“He was one of the last people seen with you before the crash.””
Daniel looked at Claire.
“Did you know?””
“I knew Ethan existed.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
Claire’s eyes filled.
“Because Sabrina threatened me.””
Daniel went still.
“What did she threaten?””
Claire looked toward the window.
“She said if I told you, Ivy would disappear.””
Daniel felt anger rise.
“You knew she was dangerous.””
“Yes.””
“Then why didn’t you come back?””
Claire looked at him.
“Because every time I tried, someone stopped me.””
“Who?””
Claire’s answer was quiet.
“Your family.””
Daniel froze.
“My family?””
The detective opened another document.
“After your accident, your company board approved a transfer of ownership.””
Daniel read the paperwork.
His signature.
His approval.
But he remembered none of it.
“That’s impossible.””
“It happened while you were recovering.””
Daniel looked closer.
The documents had one witness signature.
Sabrina Mercer.
And another.
Ethan Mercer.
Daniel stood suddenly.
“They planned everything.””
A noise came from outside.
A crash.
Everyone turned.
The office door opened.
Sabrina stood there.
No guards.
No fear.
Just confidence.
“You finally figured it out.””
Daniel stared.
“How did you get inside?””
She smiled.
“Because this house was mine before you remembered it was yours.””
The detective stepped forward.
“Sabrina Mercer, you are under arrest.””
She laughed.
“Do you really think Daniel wants that?””
Daniel looked at her.
“Yes.””
For the first time, Sabrina looked hurt.
Only briefly.
Then she recovered.
“You always were weak when it came to Claire.””
Claire stepped forward.
“Why?””
Sabrina looked at her.
“Why what?””
“Why did you destroy our family?””
Sabrina’s smile disappeared.
“Because you had everything.””
Claire shook her head.
“No. I had Daniel.””
Sabrina’s eyes hardened.
“And I had nothing.””
The room went silent.
Sabrina continued.
“You had his love. His child. His future.””
She looked at Daniel.
“I had to watch him choose you every day.””
Daniel stared.
“That doesn’t justify anything.””
Sabrina laughed softly.
“You still don’t understand.””
She stepped closer.
“I didn’t steal your life, Daniel.””
She pointed at Claire.
“I saved you from her.””
Claire looked shocked.
“What?””
Sabrina smiled.
“Ask her what happened the night of the crash.””
Daniel turned.
Claire went pale.
And in that moment, he knew.
There was one final secret.
One nobody had told him.
“Claire?””
She looked at him.
“I was trying to save you.””
May you like
Daniel’s voice lowered.
“From what?””
