Chapter 6 - THE BROTHER NO ONE KNEW EXISTED
Alex thought he had reached the limit of what his family could hide.
He was wrong.
His mother sat in the hospital bed, pale and exhausted.
Bianca sat beside her.
Lena stood near the window.
Nobody spoke for several minutes.
Finally Alex asked—
"Who is he?"
His mother closed her eyes.
"His name is Ethan."
"Where is he?"
"I don't know."
"How old?"
"Twenty-four."
Alex froze.
"You mean older than Noah."
"Yes."
"Older than me?"
"No."
Alex frowned.
His mother whispered—
"Your father had him before he married me."
The room went silent.
Alex sat down.
"Why did he hide him?"
"Because Ethan's mother knew about the company."
"Did she die?"
His mother nodded.
"Six years ago."
Alex's heart tightened.
"Was she killed?"
"I don't know."
"Mom."
She looked at him.
"Your father believed Ethan was in danger."
"Where?"
"Somewhere in Oregon."
Alex looked at Samuel.
"We find him."
Samuel nodded.
But Bianca spoke.
"Alex."
He turned.
"What?"
"There's something you should know."
"What now?"
She swallowed.
"Noah met Ethan."
Alex stared.
"When?"
"Last year."
"How?"
"My father arranged it."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because Ethan didn't know who you were."
Alex felt betrayed all over again.
"Everyone knew except me."
Bianca reached for his hand.
"I was trying to protect Noah."
"And who protected me?"
She had no answer.
Alex stood.
"I need air."
He walked outside.
Bianca followed.
"I'm sorry."
"You keep saying that."
"Because I am."
He turned.
"I don't want apologies anymore."
"What do you want?"
"The truth."
She nodded.
"Then I'll give you everything."
She told him about Ethan.
About his father.
About the company.
About the night six years ago.
Then she told him the one thing that changed everything.
"I didn't just hide Noah from you."
Alex stared.
"What else?"
"I received a letter from your father."
"When?"
"Two months ago."
"Why?"
"He asked me to keep Noah safe."
"From who?"
"From you."
Alex's face hardened.
"Why would he think I was dangerous?"
"Because someone had framed you."
"Framed me for what?"
"Financial crimes."
Alex went still.
"Your father believed that if you returned, they would arrest you."
"What crimes?"
"Money laundering."
Alex laughed bitterly.
"I've spent six years serving my country."
"I know."
"They framed me while I was overseas?"
"Yes."
"Who?"
Bianca whispered—
"Richard Hale."
Alex's phone rang.
Samuel answered it.
His face changed.
"Ethan."
Alex turned.
"What?"
"We found him."
They drove through the night.
Ethan lived in a small apartment outside Portland.
When he opened the door, Alex saw himself.
Not exactly.
But enough.
Same eyes.
Same jaw.
Same expression.
Ethan stared at Alex.
"You came."
Alex swallowed.
"You're my brother."
Ethan nodded.
"I know."
"How?"
"Because Dad told me."
Alex stepped inside.
"Where is he?"
Ethan looked away.
"Dead."
Alex froze.
"When?"
"Three weeks ago."
Bianca covered her mouth.
Alex couldn't speak.
Ethan continued.
"He died protecting the evidence."
"Where is it?"
Ethan looked at him.
"You brought the woman?"
Alex glanced at Bianca.
"Yes."
Ethan smiled sadly.
"Then Dad was right."
"About what?"
"That you'd come back for her."
Alex felt his chest tighten.
Ethan handed him a key.
"This opens a safety deposit box."
"What's inside?"
"Everything."
Alex took it.
Then Ethan looked at Bianca.
"And there's something for you."
He handed her an envelope.
Her face changed.
"What is this?"
"Your father knew."
Bianca opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
Noah as a baby.
Alex holding him.
Except Alex had never held Noah.
The photograph was fake.
Or was it?
On the back was a date.
Six years ago.
Three days before Alex left.
Bianca stared.
"This isn't possible."
Ethan shook his head.
"It is."
Alex looked closer.
Then realized the truth.
The photograph had been taken in the hospital.
He remembered that day.
He had visited a friend.
He had held a newborn.
Someone had photographed him.
The child wasn't his.
Someone had altered the photograph.
To make it appear he had known about Noah.
Alex whispered—
"They were building a case against me."
Ethan nodded.
"And they succeeded."
The room went silent.
Then police sirens sounded outside.
May you like
Ethan looked toward the window.
"They found us."
