Chapter 4: The Boy Who Wasn’t Hers
Meredith’s words seemed to drain the warmth from the room.
“That boy is mine.””
Evelyn stared at her.
For several seconds, she couldn’t speak.
Cole was the first to break the silence.
“Then why did somebody send Mrs. Harrington his picture?””
Meredith didn’t answer.
Richard did.
“Because they wanted her to come looking.””
Evelyn turned on him.
“Who?””
Richard shook his head.
“I don't know.””
Cole laughed bitterly.
“That answer is getting old.””
“I’m telling you the truth.””
“No,” Cole said.
“You’re telling us pieces of it.””
Meredith picked up the photograph from the table.
Her fingers were steady now.
Too steady.
She looked at the boy’s face.
“He’s seventeen.””
Evelyn watched her.
“How old was he when Daniel met you?””
Meredith slowly raised her eyes.
“Ten.””
Evelyn felt something crack inside her.
Seven years.
Seven years of her husband secretly caring for a child she had never known existed.
Seven years of medical bills.
Seven years of lies.
She whispered, “Who is his father?””
Meredith hesitated.
Then Richard answered.
“Daniel.””
Evelyn closed her eyes.
Meredith immediately shook her head.
“No.””
Richard turned toward her.
“Meredith.””
“You know that's not true.””
“You told me—”
“I told you what Daniel wanted people to believe.””
Cole stepped forward.
“Enough.””
His voice cut through the room.
“We're done playing this game.””
He pointed at Meredith.
“You say the boy is yours.””
Then at Richard.
“You say Daniel was his father.””
Then he turned to Evelyn.
“And somehow everyone has spent years lying to this woman.””
He looked around the room.
“Somebody is going to tell the truth.””
No one moved.
Cole pulled a chair away from the table.
“Sit down.””
Richard stared at him.
“You don't give orders here.””
Cole smiled.
“Apparently somebody has to.””
The oldest biker, whose fake name was Michael, closed the conference room door.
The click of the lock sounded louder than it should have.
Matthew moved the curtains shut.
The youngest stood beside Evelyn.
Nobody could leave without walking past them.
Cole looked at Meredith.
“Start talking.””
She folded her arms.
“I don't owe you an explanation.””
“No,” Cole said.
“But you owe one to her.””
He nodded toward Evelyn.
Meredith looked at the old woman.
For the first time, guilt appeared in her expression.
“You really didn't know?””
Evelyn's voice was nearly a whisper.
“No.””
Meredith looked away.
“Daniel never told you?””
“He told me we were going to have a normal life.””
Meredith's mouth tightened.
“That was before he met Ethan.””
Evelyn’s eyes widened.
“Ethan is the boy?””
Meredith nodded.
“His real name is Ethan Vale.””
“Vale?””
“Yes.””
Evelyn looked at her.
“You're Meredith Vale.””
“Yes.””
“And he's your son.””
“Yes.””
“Then why would Daniel create a trust for him?””
Meredith was silent.
Richard answered instead.
“Because Ethan was sick.””
Meredith glared at him.
“Don't.””
But Richard continued.
“Daniel found out about the treatments.””
“He didn't find Ethan,” Meredith said.
“He found me.””
Evelyn frowned.
“Where?””
“At a legal clinic.””
Meredith sat down.
“Seven years ago, I was trying to keep my son alive.””
Her voice had changed.
The confidence was gone.
“My husband had left us. He had taken every dollar we had. Ethan was born with a rare heart condition. The surgeries were expensive.””
Evelyn listened.
Meredith looked at Daniel’s photograph lying on the table.
“Daniel walked into the clinic because Harrington Construction had donated money.””
“You knew him?””
“Not then.””
“What happened?””
“He read my case file.””
Richard interrupted.
“That isn't how it happened.””
Meredith snapped toward him.
“You weren't there.””
“I know what Daniel told me.””
“And Daniel lied to you too.””
Richard went quiet.
Meredith continued.
“Daniel paid Ethan’s medical bills anonymously.””
Evelyn's brow furrowed.
“Why?””
“At first because he felt responsible.””
“Responsible for what?””
Meredith looked at Richard.
Richard stood rigidly.
“Nothing.””
Meredith laughed softly.
“Still doing this?””
Cole's eyes narrowed.
“Responsible for what?””
Meredith looked at Evelyn.
“Your husband believed Ethan was his son.””
The room went silent.
Evelyn’s hand flew to her mouth.
“No.””
“He had reasons to believe it.””
“What reasons?””
Meredith hesitated.
Then she said, “We were together before he married you.””
Evelyn looked as though she had been struck.
Richard turned away.
Cole watched him.
“So Daniel cheated.””
Meredith shook her head.
“Not exactly.””
“What does that mean?””
“Daniel and I were together for six months.””
“And Ethan was born?””
Meredith nodded.
“But Daniel left.””
“Why?””
“Because he chose Evelyn.””
The words hung in the air.
Evelyn's eyes filled with tears.
“You knew about me?””
“I knew your name.””
“Did you hate me?””
Meredith looked at her for a long moment.
“I did.””
Evelyn swallowed.
“And now?””
“Now I don't know what I feel.””
Cole watched Meredith carefully.
“You said Daniel believed Ethan was his son.””
“Yes.””
“But you said not exactly.””
Meredith looked down.
“Because Daniel wasn't Ethan's biological father.””
Evelyn stared.
“Then who was?””
Meredith’s eyes moved to Richard.
Evelyn followed her gaze.
Richard shook his head.
“No.””
Meredith stood.
“Yes.””
“Don't.””
“You've lied for seven years.””
“Meredith.””
“You've watched that boy grow up believing a dead man was his father.””
Richard's voice sharpened.
“Enough.””
Evelyn looked at him.
“Richard.””
He wouldn't meet her eyes.
“Richard, look at me.””
Slowly, he did.
Evelyn’s face was wet with tears.
“Is Ethan your son?””
Richard said nothing.
Cole's jaw tightened.
“Answer her.””
Richard stared at Evelyn.
Then Meredith spoke.
“Yes.””
Richard closed his eyes.
“Yes.””
Evelyn sat back.
The room seemed to tilt.
“Why?””
Richard whispered, “Because Daniel found out.””
“What?””
“That Ethan was mine.””
“Then why didn't you tell him?””
Richard laughed bitterly.
“You think Daniel would have forgiven me?””
Evelyn looked confused.
“Forgiven you for what?””
Richard rubbed both hands over his face.
“You don't understand.””
“Then explain it.””
“I had an affair with Meredith.””
The words came out like a confession dragged from him.
“While I was married.””
Evelyn stared.
“Your wife?””
“Caroline.””
“Does she know?””
“No.””
Meredith looked at Richard.
“She was pregnant before you married her.””
Richard shook his head.
“That isn't true.””
“She knows the dates.””
“I didn't know Ethan was mine.””
“You knew it was possible.””
“I didn't.””
“You did.””
Evelyn looked from one to the other.
“So Ethan is Richard's biological son?””
Meredith nodded.
“Most likely.””
“Most likely?””
“I never had the test.””
“Why not?””
Meredith's expression hardened.
“Because Daniel told me something.””
“What?””
“He said if Richard ever found out, Ethan would disappear.””
Richard exploded.
“That is a lie!””
Cole stepped between them.
“Enough!””
Richard pointed at Meredith.
“She wanted money.””
Meredith laughed.
“That's your defense?””
“It was always about money with you.””
“No.””
Meredith's face twisted.
“It was about keeping my son alive.””
“You used Daniel.””
“You used everyone.””
Richard moved toward her.
Matthew blocked him.
Richard stopped.
The biker's size made further movement seem unwise.
“Stay there,” Matthew said.
Richard glared.
Evelyn looked at Meredith.
“Where is Ethan now?””
“In the hospital.””
“Why?””
“He has been there for six weeks.””
“What's wrong?””
“His heart is failing.””
Evelyn's eyes filled again.
“What treatment does he need?””
Meredith looked down.
“A transplant.””
“And can he get one?””
“He was approved for the list.””
“But?””
“He keeps getting bumped.””
Cole frowned.
“Why?””
Meredith shook her head.
“Because someone's been interfering with his medical records.””
Edward went pale.
“What?””
“His blood type was entered incorrectly.””
Edward stared.
“That could kill him.””
“I know.””
“Who changed it?””
Meredith looked at Richard.
Richard immediately said, “Not me.””
“I didn't say you.””
“You looked at me.””
“Because you know who did.””
Richard went silent.
Evelyn stood.
“We're going to the hospital.””
Edward stepped forward.
“Wait.””
“No.””
“We need to understand what we're walking into.””
“My husband's son is sick.””
“Not his son.””
Evelyn looked at him.
Edward corrected himself.
“The boy Daniel believed was his son.””
She didn't care.
“He loved that boy.””
Edward stared.
“How do you know?””
Evelyn looked at the trust documents.
“Because he hid seven years of his life to protect him.””
She turned toward the door.
“That is enough for me.””
Cole nodded.
“We're going.””
Richard stepped forward.
“I'll come.””
Cole stopped him.
“Why?””
“Because he's my son.””
Evelyn turned.
For a moment, she looked at Richard with something close to pity.
Then she said, “That's exactly why I'm not sure I trust you.””
Richard's face tightened.
The youngest biker moved to the door.
“Let's go.””
They left the conference room together.
The elevator took too long.
On the way down, no one spoke.
Evelyn stood between Cole and the youngest biker.
Meredith stood at the other side.
Richard remained in the back.
Matthew watched him through the mirrored wall.
When the elevator reached the lobby, the doors opened.
Two police officers were standing outside.
One walked straight toward Evelyn.
“Mrs. Harrington?””
“Yes?””
“We need to talk to you.””
“About what?””
The officer looked at the bikers.
“We received a report that you may be connected to the disappearance of Nathan Cole.””
Evelyn's face went white.
“What?””
The officer turned to Cole.
“Are these men with you?””
“Yes.””
“We need their names.””
Cole glanced at the others.
Then at Evelyn.
Before he could answer, Richard stepped forward.
“They're not her sons.””
Evelyn slowly turned.
Cole stared at Richard.
Richard looked almost desperate.
“They've been pretending.””
The officers reached for their notebooks.
The youngest biker laughed.
“You're kidding.””
“No,” Richard said.
“I'm not.””
Evelyn stared at him.
“You said we were your family.””
Richard whispered, “I was trying to protect you.””
“From what?””
Richard looked toward the glass doors.
Outside, the black sedan from across the street was gone.
He swallowed.
“From them.””
One of the police officers touched his shoulder.
“Sir, whose car was that parked outside?””
Richard looked through the window.
“I don't know.””
The officer frowned.
“You're sure?””
“Yes.””
The second officer suddenly spoke into his radio.
“We have a possible vehicle match.””
Everyone turned.
“What match?”” Cole asked.
The officer looked at him.
“The black sedan is registered to Nathan Cole.””
Silence.
Evelyn's heart slammed against her ribs.
“That’s impossible.””
“Why?””
“Because Nathan is missing.””
The officer nodded.
“We know.””
Then his radio crackled again.
He listened.
His expression changed.
“What?””
The first officer looked over.
“What happened?””
“The vehicle was found abandoned three blocks from here.””
“And?””
The officer looked at Evelyn.
“There was blood inside.””
Evelyn gripped her walker.
“Is Nathan dead?””
The officer didn't answer.
Instead, he asked, “Mrs. Harrington, did you leave anything inside that car?””
“No.””
“Did you authorize anyone to use your name?””
“No.””
“Then we have a bigger problem.””
He turned the radio toward them.
A dispatcher's voice came through.
“Officer, we've recovered a second item from the vehicle.””
“What?””
“A photograph.””
“Of whom?””
The dispatcher hesitated.
Then:
“Evelyn Harrington.””
Evelyn's blood ran cold.
The youngest biker stepped closer.
“That's not all.””
Everyone looked at him.
He pointed through the glass.
A man stood across the street.
Black coat.
Dark baseball cap.
Watching them.
The man raised one hand.
Something small hung between his fingers.
A key.
The same silver key that had been left in Evelyn's car.
Then he turned and disappeared around the corner.
Cole ran outside.
Matthew followed.
But by the time they reached the sidewalk, the man was gone.
Cole looked down.
Something lay near the curb.
A hospital bracelet.
He picked it up.
The name printed across it was clear.
*ETHAN VALE.*
Underneath was a date.
Today.
Cole’s face hardened.
He ran back toward Evelyn.
“We're going to the hospital now.””
“Why?””
He held up the bracelet.
“Because whoever is behind this knows where Ethan is.””
He looked at the police officers.
“And I think they know we're coming.””
Evelyn stared at the bracelet.
Then her phone vibrated.
A new message.
She opened it.
There were only four words.
*BRING RICHARD WITH YOU.*
A second message arrived.
*HE OWES ETHAN THE TRUTH.*
May you like
Then a third.
*AND BEFORE MIDNIGHT, ONE OF THEM WILL BE DEAD.*
