Chapter 9: The Third Child and the Final Betrayal
Daniel refused to believe it.
He stood beside the SUV, staring at Marcus as though the older man had suddenly become a stranger.
"Victor is my brother?""
Marcus nodded.
"Yes.""
"How is that possible?""
"Your mother gave birth to him when she was very young. Before she met Robert.""
Daniel shook his head.
"Why would she give him away?""
"She didn't.""
Marcus looked toward the road.
"Your grandfather took him.""
Amelia slowly sat down.
"Another child?""
Marcus nodded.
"Your grandfather believed Margaret had embarrassed the family enough. When Victor was born, he arranged for the baby to be raised by another family.""
Daniel stared.
"Why would he do that?""
"Because Victor was born before Margaret's relationship with Robert. Your grandfather believed he could hide the child and protect the family name.""
"Did my mother know where he was?""
"She searched for years.""
Daniel looked toward Amelia.
"Did you know?""
She shook her head.
"No. I thought it was only us.""
Marcus continued.
"When Victor became an adult, he discovered his birth records. He began searching for Margaret. But by then, Richard had found him.""
Daniel felt sick.
"And Richard recruited him?""
"Yes.""
"To destroy our family?""
Marcus nodded.
"Richard told Victor that Margaret had abandoned him. He convinced him that the Whitmores had stolen his childhood and that the only way to reclaim his birthright was to take control of the family estate.""
Daniel clenched his fists.
"So Victor kidnapped my son because he believes Ethan is standing between him and the inheritance.""
"That's what I fear.""
Amelia shook her head.
"Then why did he protect Daniel for ten years?""
Marcus looked at her.
"Because Richard wanted someone close to him.""
Daniel suddenly remembered countless moments.
Victor standing beside him during business meetings.
Victor driving him home after late-night dinners.
Victor attending family events.
Victor watching Ethan's nursery being prepared.
The man had been present for nearly every important moment of Daniel's adult life.
"Did he know I was his brother?""
Marcus nodded.
"He found out six years ago.""
Daniel closed his eyes.
Six years.
Six years of shared car rides.
Six years of conversations.
Six years of standing close enough to shake his hand.
And Victor had never once told him.
"Why didn't he come to me?""
Marcus answered quietly.
"Because Richard convinced him you would never accept him.""
Daniel laughed bitterly.
"He kidnapped my son instead of asking me for the truth.""
Amelia looked toward the hospital.
"Maybe he never wanted a family. Maybe he only wanted power.""
Daniel's phone rang again.
This time, it was his security director.
"Mr. Whitmore, we have a situation.""
"What?""
"Your wife has been moved.""
Daniel's heart stopped.
"Moved where?""
"Someone entered the hospital using an emergency transfer authorization. The maternity department allowed the transfer because the paperwork appeared legitimate.""
Daniel shouted.
"WHERE IS MY WIFE?""
"We're tracing the vehicle now.""
"Find her!""
"We're trying, sir.""
Daniel ended the call.
He looked at Marcus.
"Victor has Laura.""
Marcus nodded grimly.
"Then he's not finished.""
Daniel immediately ordered the driver to return to the hospital.
Amelia climbed into the SUV.
"I know where he might take her.""
Daniel turned.
"Where?""
"The old chapel.""
Marcus looked at her.
"Which chapel?""
"The one near the lake.""
Daniel frowned.
"Why?""
Amelia took a deep breath.
"Victor told me something when he approached me about the inheritance. He said he wanted to meet our mother in the place where everything began.""
Marcus closed his eyes.
"The old family chapel.""
Daniel stared at him.
"What is it?""
Marcus explained that Margaret had been married to Robert there.
But before the wedding, she and Marcus had met secretly in the chapel garden.
It was also the place where Margaret had once hidden a letter for Victor.
Daniel looked at Amelia.
"How do you know that?""
"Because Victor told me.""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"Then let's go.""
The SUV sped toward the lake.
As they approached the chapel, Daniel noticed a black vehicle parked near the entrance.
He recognized the registration.
Victor's.
Marcus parked behind a stone wall.
Daniel stepped out.
"Stay here.""
Amelia shook her head.
"I'm coming.""
"No.""
"Daniel, I am not a child.""
He looked at her.
Then he nodded.
They approached the chapel together.
The front door was open.
Inside, candles burned along the wooden benches.
Laura was sitting in the front row.
Her hands were tied loosely with a scarf.
Victor stood near the altar.
He turned when Daniel entered.
"Hello, brother.""
Daniel stopped.
"Let her go.""
Victor smiled.
"You came.""
"Let. Her. Go.""
Victor glanced at Laura.
"She's unharmed.""
Daniel looked at his wife.
"Are you okay?""
Laura nodded.
But her eyes were fixed on Victor.
"Daniel, be careful.""
Victor laughed.
"Always the hero, aren't you?""
Daniel stepped forward.
"Why are you doing this?""
Victor removed a photograph from his pocket.
It showed Margaret holding a newborn baby.
His newborn baby.
"I've spent my entire life looking at this photograph," Victor said.
"I wanted to know why my mother gave me away.""
Daniel's expression softened slightly.
"She didn't give you away.""
"That's what Marcus told you?""
"She searched for you.""
Victor laughed.
"Convenient story.""
"She loved you.""
Victor's expression changed.
"Then where was she?""
Daniel didn't answer.
Victor stepped closer.
"Where was she when I was growing up? Where was she when I needed her? Where was she when I spent years being told I wasn't wanted?""
Amelia approached slowly.
"Victor, listen to me.""
He turned.
"Stay out of this.""
"We're your family.""
"No. You're the family that got everything.""
Amelia shook her head.
"I grew up without our mother too.""
Victor looked at her.
"At least you knew she existed.""
Amelia's eyes filled with tears.
"Do you think I had an easy life? I spent my childhood wondering why my mother never came for me. I spent decades believing I was unwanted.""
Victor's expression softened for a fraction of a second.
Then Richard's voice came from the rear entrance.
"Enough sentimental nonsense.""
Everyone turned.
Richard walked inside.
He was holding a leather folder.
Behind him stood two men.
Daniel immediately understood.
Victor wasn't acting alone.
Richard had been directing everything.
"Uncle," Daniel said coldly.
"You really don't know when to stop.""
Richard ignored him.
He placed the folder on the altar.
"Sign the transfer documents.""
Daniel stared.
"You kidnapped my wife, stole my son, and threatened my mother. And you still think I'll sign?""
Richard smiled.
"Your wife is a temporary inconvenience. Your son is an inheritance issue. And your mother is a woman who should have stayed silent.""
Laura began struggling against the scarf.
"Don't listen to him, Daniel!""
Richard turned toward her.
"Mrs. Whitmore, I suggest you remain quiet.""
Daniel stepped forward.
"Don't speak to my wife.""
Richard opened the folder.
"Your father made a mistake by giving you control of the company. You have no understanding of the obligations attached to the family name.""
Daniel laughed.
"I understand perfectly. The family name is an excuse you use to steal from everyone.""
Richard's face darkened.
"Sign the papers.""
Victor moved closer to Laura.
Daniel immediately stopped.
"Don't touch her.""
Richard nodded toward the documents.
"Then sign.""
Daniel looked at the folder.
He knew what Richard wanted.
Control of the company.
Control of the family trust.
Control of the inheritance.
But there was something else.
"Before I sign anything, I want to know where my mother is.""
Richard gave a small smile.
"She's somewhere safe.""
"Where?""
"That's not important.""
"It is to me.""
Richard leaned forward.
"Your mother is alive because I allowed it.""
Amelia stepped toward him.
"You're lying.""
Richard looked at her.
"Am I?""
He removed a photograph from the folder.
It showed Margaret sitting in a wheelchair inside a private room.
She looked older, thinner, but unmistakably alive.
Daniel's eyes filled with tears.
"Where was this taken?""
"Three days ago.""
Daniel looked at Richard.
"Take me to her.""
Richard shook his head.
"First, the documents.""
Victor suddenly spoke.
"Richard, you promised me something.""
Richard didn't look at him.
"Not now.""
"You promised I would meet her.""
Richard turned slowly.
"You're becoming difficult.""
Victor stepped closer.
"I want to speak to my mother.""
Richard laughed.
"Your mother doesn't want to see you.""
Victor's face tightened.
"That's a lie.""
"She knows what you did.""
Victor looked toward Daniel.
For the first time, uncertainty appeared in his eyes.
Richard continued.
"She knows you kidnapped her grandson.""
Victor shook his head.
"She doesn't know that.""
Richard smiled.
"She knows everything.""
Then he reached into his folder and removed a small recording device.
He pressed PLAY.
Margaret's voice filled the chapel.
"Richard, please. Leave my children alone.""
Then another voice.
Victor's.
"Why did you abandon me?""
Margaret began crying.
"I never abandoned you, sweetheart.""
The recording ended.
Victor stood frozen.
Richard smiled.
"Now you understand.""
But Amelia suddenly noticed something.
She stepped toward the recording device.
"Play it again.""
Richard frowned.
"Why?""
"Because that's not the complete recording.""
Richard's expression changed.
Amelia took the device from his hand.
She pressed another button.
A second recording began.
Margaret's voice was clearer this time.
"Victor, my darling, if you are hearing this, please understand that I never gave you away. Your grandfather took you from me. Richard helped him. And Robert knew the truth.""
Victor's face crumpled.
Margaret continued.
"I searched for you every year. I sent letters. I sent photographs. I even visited the orphanage where I was told you had been taken.""
Victor began shaking.
Then came the final sentence.
"Your brother Daniel has always been innocent. Please don't hurt him. Please don't hurt his children.""
Victor slowly lowered his head.
Richard stepped forward.
"Turn that off.""
But Victor didn't move.
He was crying.
"She knew about me.""
Amelia nodded.
"Yes.""
"She wanted me?""
"Yes.""
Victor looked toward Daniel.
His voice broke.
"All these years...""
Daniel stepped closer.
"Victor, you can still choose what happens next.""
Richard suddenly reached inside his jacket.
Marcus shouted from the doorway.
"RICHARD! DON'T!""
A gunshot exploded through the chapel.
Victor collapsed.
Daniel screamed.
"VICTOR!""
Amelia rushed toward him.
Richard stood with the gun in his hand.
And Laura, still tied to the chair, watched in horror as Daniel's newly discovered brother fell beside the altar.
But before Victor lost consciousness, he grabbed Daniel's sleeve.
He whispered something.
Something that made Daniel's face turn white.
"Your mother isn't in Maine.""
Daniel leaned closer.
"Where is she?""
Victor struggled to breathe.
"She's... beneath...""
His hand fell.
The chapel doors suddenly opened.
Two police officers rushed inside.
Richard dropped the gun.
But Daniel barely noticed.
He was staring at Victor.
May you like
Because the final words his brother had spoken were still echoing in his mind.
*"She's beneath the Whitmore estate.""*
