Chapter 14: The Man Who Helped Destroy My Father
I called Marcus immediately.
He answered before the first ring finished.
"Tell me that's not what I think it is.""
My voice was tense.
"It is.""
I looked at the photo again.
Richard Hayes.
My father's brother.
The man connected to the missing business records.
The man my father warned my mother about.
And Simone.
The woman who had appeared at my mother's birthday party.
The woman who claimed she was only there because of a business opportunity.
"What is she doing with him?""
Marcus sighed.
"That's what I was trying to find out.""
"Where are you?""
"Outside his office.""
"Are you alone?""
"Yes.""
"Don't confront him.""
A pause.
"Darnell.""
"I'm serious.""
I knew that tone.
The same tone I used at fire scenes.
The tone that meant emotions needed to wait.
"We don't know what we're dealing with.""
Marcus became quiet.
Then said:
"You sound like Dad.""
The words surprised me.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Because we were still learning something.
We weren't just connected by blood.
We were connected by the same memories.
The same man.
"I'll meet you there.""
"Darnell—"
"I need answers.""
The drive took forty minutes.
The entire way, I thought about my father.
About the person everyone remembered.
The father who taught me how to fix things.
The father who told me never to judge someone before knowing the whole story.
Maybe he knew what it felt like to be judged unfairly.
Maybe that was why he cared so much about truth.
When I arrived, Marcus was standing outside.
Seeing him in person still felt strange.
Not uncomfortable.
Just unreal.
A person who should have always been there.
My brother.
He looked at me.
"You okay?""
I almost laughed.
The question was strange coming from someone I had met days ago.
But somehow, it felt natural.
"No.""
He nodded.
"Me neither.""
For a moment, we just stood there.
Two brothers outside a building where answers might be waiting.
Then Marcus pointed toward the office.
"He's inside.""
We entered.
The receptionist looked up.
"Can I help you?""
"My name is Marcus Ellis.""
Her expression changed.
That told me everything.
She knew that name.
"Mr. Hayes is expecting you.""
Expecting?
I looked at Marcus.
"How?""
He shook his head.
"I don't know.""
We followed her down the hallway.
At the end was a large office.
Inside sat Richard Hayes.
He looked nothing like my father.
That was the first thing I noticed.
Maybe because I wanted him to.
My father had warmth.
Richard had calculation.
He stood slowly.
"Darnell.""
Hearing my name from him felt wrong.
"You know who I am.""
He smiled faintly.
"Of course.""
"How?""
"Your family has been watching each other for years.""
The answer made my stomach tighten.
"Who is watching who?""
He ignored the question.
Instead, he looked at Marcus.
"You finally came back.""
Marcus's expression hardened.
"You knew I was alive.""
Richard smiled.
"Yes.""
My hands tightened.
"You knew about Marcus?""
Richard looked at me.
"Your father told me.""
"And you did nothing.""
He shrugged.
"Not my responsibility.""
I stepped closer.
"You let him disappear.""
Richard's expression changed slightly.
"Careful.""
There it was.
The same feeling I had with my mother.
Control.
Threat.
A person who believed they were untouchable.
"You ruined my father's reputation.""
Richard laughed softly.
"Your father ruined his own reputation.""
Marcus stepped forward.
"That's a lie.""
Richard looked at him.
"You weren't there.""
"No.""
Marcus's voice was calm.
"But my mother was.""
That made Richard pause.
Just for a second.
Enough.
He knew Evelyn.
"You knew her.""
Richard looked away.
"I knew many people.""
"No.""
Marcus stepped closer.
"You knew exactly what happened.""
The room became tense.
Then Richard said something unexpected.
"You want the truth?""
Nobody moved.
"Fine.""
He opened a drawer.
Pulled out a folder.
And placed it on the desk.
Inside were old documents.
Business records.
Financial reports.
My heart started beating faster.
Richard leaned back.
"Your father wasn't betrayed by a stranger.""
I looked at him.
"Then who?""
Richard smiled.
A cold smile.
"Someone he trusted completely.""
I waited.
"Someone who had access to everything.""
My phone buzzed.
A message.
From Simone.
One sentence.
*"Ask Richard why he kept the original documents hidden for twenty years.""*
I looked up.
Richard was watching me.
He knew.
Everyone knew.
Except me.
And then Richard said:
"Your father wasn't innocent.""
May you like
The room went silent.
"But neither was your mother.""
