Chapter 27: My Father’s Last Attempt to Save Them
I watched the video three times.
I still couldn’t believe it.
My father.
Years younger.
Sitting across from a woman I had never met.
Ethan’s mother.
His expression wasn’t cold.
It wasn’t guilty.
It was afraid.
That shocked me most.
My entire life, I remembered my father as someone who was always in control.
A man who solved problems.
A man who never showed weakness.
But in that video?
He looked terrified.
The audio was damaged.
But some words were clear.
“I’m sorry.””
My father’s voice.
“I should have protected you sooner.””
The woman across from him cried.
“What about my son?””
My father looked down.
“I’ll protect him.””
Then another voice appeared.
A voice from outside the room.
Victor.
My blood ran cold.
My father immediately stood.
The video ended.
I stared at the screen.
“He knew.””
Daniel nodded.
“Your father knew Victor was dangerous.””
“Then why didn’t he tell me?””
“Because he thought he could handle it.””
I laughed quietly.
The same mistake I had made.
Trying to protect everyone alone.
“What happened?””
Daniel opened another file.
“Your father created a plan.””
“What kind of plan?””
“To move Ethan and his mother somewhere safe.””
“Did it work?””
“No.””
I already knew.
“What happened?””
“Victor found out.””
The room became silent.
“And your father was forced to make a choice.””
“What choice?””
Daniel looked at me.
“Protect his public life or protect Ethan.””
I swallowed.
“And he chose?””
Daniel didn’t answer immediately.
Because the answer was obvious.
He chose wrong.
Or at least, that was how Ethan saw it.
“He protected his company.””
I looked down.
“But why?””
“Because Victor threatened everyone.””
My mind raced.
“So Ethan spent his entire life believing my father abandoned him.””
“Yes.””
“When my father was actually trying to protect him.””
“Yes.””
I closed my eyes.
A tragedy built from misunderstanding.
But one that hurt real people.
Later that evening, I met Ethan.
Not as enemies.
Not as family.
Just two people trying to understand the damage left behind.
He sat across from me.
“I saw the video.””
His face changed.
“You did?””
“Yes.””
He looked away.
“I spent my whole life hating him.””
“I know.””
“I thought he chose you.””
I said nothing.
“He chose safety.””
I nodded.
“But he failed.””
Ethan looked at me.
That sentence surprised him.
“My father made mistakes.””
I continued.
“He should have told you.””
Ethan’s eyes filled.
“He should have trusted me.””
“Yes.””
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Ethan whispered:
“I don’t know what to do with all this anger.””
I understood.
Because anger had become his identity.
Without it, who was he?
I said:
“You start by not giving it to someone else.””
He looked at me.
Especially Michael.””
Ethan lowered his head.
“I’m sorry.””
It was the first real apology I heard from him.
Not an excuse.
Not a justification.
Just regret.
Before I left, he stopped me.
“Marcus.””
I turned.
“There’s something else.””
My stomach tightened.
“What?””
He looked serious.
“Victor wasn’t working alone.””
I froze.
“What?””
“He had someone inside your family.””
I stared at him.
“Who?””
Ethan looked toward the door.
“I don’t know.””
My heart sank.
“But I know one thing.””
“What?””
“The person helped him hide information for years.””
I felt the same cold feeling return.
Because I thought the nightmare was ending.
I thought we had found the person behind everything.
But maybe we had only found the person standing in front.
May you like
And the person who helped him…
Was still close.
