Chapter 6: The Boy Who Knew Everything
“Dad, is this the man you told me was paying for our new house?””
Nobody moved.
Ethan stood in the doorway, holding a photograph between his fingers. He looked about sixteen, with dark hair falling over his forehead and a backpack hanging from one shoulder.
Marcus's hand tightened around his shoulder.
“Ethan, that's enough.””
But the boy didn't look at him.
He looked directly at Richard.
“Are you Richard Hayes?””
Richard nodded slowly.
“Yes.””
Ethan held up the photograph.
It showed Richard standing outside a bank, carrying a brown leather folder. The picture was grainy, clearly taken from a distance.
On the back, someone had written:
Richard Hayes. Primary financial contributor. Keep him unaware until the transfer is complete.
Richard felt his stomach tighten.
“Where did you get that?””
Ethan glanced at Marcus.
“His office.””
Marcus stepped forward.
“Give me that photograph.””
“No.””
“Ethan.””
“I said no!””
The teenager pulled away.
Denise stood beside the sofa, one hand covering her mouth.
Maya looked between them.
“What's going on?””
Ethan turned toward her.
“Are you Maya?””
“Yes.””
He nodded.
“I'm your brother.””
Maya stared at him.
“What?””
Marcus forced a laugh.
“This is not how I wanted everyone to meet.””
Richard looked at him.
“You have another son, and you brought him into my house without warning?””
“It's complicated.””
“Everything about you seems to be complicated.””
Ethan placed his backpack on the floor.
“My mom said I should tell the truth if I ever met you.””
Marcus's expression changed.
“Your mother doesn't know anything about this situation.””
“She knows you took money from people.””
“Watch your mouth.””
Ethan flinched.
Richard noticed.
He had seen that expression before.
It was the same look Maya used to have when she was younger and afraid of disappointing someone.
Richard stepped between Marcus and the boy.
“Don't speak to him like that.””
Marcus laughed bitterly.
“You don't get to tell me how to raise my son.””
Richard held his gaze.
“Then start acting like a father.””
For a moment, the two men stood inches apart.
Then Ethan spoke.
“Dad, you told Mom the house was already paid for.””
Marcus turned.
“Ethan, stop.””
“You told her the money came from your business.””
“That's enough.””
“But it didn't, did it?””
Denise slowly lowered her hand.
She looked at Marcus.
“Marcus?””
He rubbed his forehead.
“Everyone needs to calm down.””
Richard shook his head.
“No. We've been calm for long enough.””
He pointed at the photograph.
“Explain it.””
Marcus looked at Maya.
“Sweetheart, this is a family matter.””
Maya folded her arms.
“I'm part of the family.””
Marcus hesitated.
That hesitation was small.
But Richard saw it.
So did Ethan.
Ethan gave a humorless laugh.
“That's what you told me too.””
Twenty minutes later, everyone was sitting in the living room.
Richard had insisted that nobody leave until the truth was explained.
Marcus paced beside the fireplace.
Denise sat with her hands clasped tightly together.
Maya sat at the far end of the sofa, looking increasingly uncomfortable.
Ethan remained near Richard.
“Tell them,” Ethan said.
Marcus stopped pacing.
“Tell them what?””
“The truth about the house.””
Marcus looked at him.
“Your mother has filled your head with nonsense.””
Ethan shook his head.
“I saw the bank statements.””
Richard leaned forward.
“What bank statements?””
Ethan reached into his backpack and removed a folded envelope.
He handed it to Richard.
Inside were photocopies of account transactions.
Richard recognized the account number.
It belonged to Harrison Family Holdings.
The deposits came from three different sources.
Denise Hayes.
Richard Hayes.
And a third account belonging to a woman named Vanessa Cole.
Richard looked up.
“Vanessa?””
Ethan nodded.
“My mom.””
Denise's face went white.
Marcus quickly reached for the papers.
Richard moved them away.
“Don't.””
Marcus clenched his jaw.
“This is private financial information.””
“Then why does a sixteen-year-old have it?””
Ethan answered.
“Because I found it in your desk.””
He pointed to one transaction.
“That's my mother's money. She gave Dad thirty thousand dollars last year because he said he was buying a house for us.””
Denise looked at Marcus.
“You told me you were investing in a commercial property.””
“I was.””
“Then why is Vanessa's name here?””
Marcus said nothing.
Richard turned another page.
There was a transaction dated three weeks earlier.
Forty-six thousand dollars.
The education savings account.
Then another entry.
Twelve thousand dollars.
Denise's personal transfer.
Richard placed the papers on the coffee table.
“Marcus, how many people have you been telling different stories to?””
Marcus's face reddened.
“I'm trying to build something for my family.””
Ethan looked at him.
“Which family?””
The question hung in the room.
Marcus opened his mouth.
But he didn't answer.
Maya stood suddenly.
“Wait. So Dad took money from Mom and Ethan's mother?””
Richard looked at her.
“And from the account I created for your education.””
Maya shook her head.
“But he said the money was his.””
Richard didn't respond.
She turned toward Marcus.
“You said you had investments.””
“I do.””
“Then why did you need Mom's money?””
Marcus stepped closer.
“Sweetheart, business isn't always simple.””
Maya looked at the documents.
“Did you really use my college money to buy the house?””
Marcus lowered his voice.
“I was going to replace it.””
“When?””
“When the business started generating returns.””
“That's not an answer.””
Marcus sighed.
“I'm doing all this for you.””
Maya stepped back.
“Stop saying that.””
Her voice was trembling.
“You told me Richard was trying to keep us apart because he was jealous. You said he didn't want me to have a relationship with you.””
Richard watched her face.
For the first time since graduation, Maya seemed uncertain about the story she had been telling herself.
Marcus placed his hands on her shoulders.
“Listen to me. Your stepfather has been manipulating you for years.””
Richard stood.
“Take your hands off her.””
Marcus released her.
Maya looked at Richard.
“Did you know about any of this?””
“No.””
“Did you know Dad had another son?””
Richard glanced at Ethan.
“No.””
Maya looked at Marcus again.
“Then why did you tell me he was the problem?””
Marcus's expression hardened.
“Because I wanted you to understand that he wasn't your biological father.””
Ethan laughed quietly.
“That's what he does.””
Marcus turned on him.
“Shut up.””
Ethan stood.
“No.””
His voice cracked, but he continued.
“You tell everyone what they want to hear. You told my mom you were building a home for us. You told Denise you were building a future with her. You told Maya you were coming back to be her father.””
He looked at Richard.
“And you told people he was paying for everything because he was too stupid to notice.””
Richard felt a chill move through him.
He looked at the photograph again.
The note on the back.
Keep him unaware until the transfer is complete.
This wasn't simply a man who had returned to reconnect with his daughter.
Marcus had been studying Richard's finances.
His property.
His savings.
His identity.
And he had been doing it long before graduation.
That evening, Richard drove Ethan to a nearby diner.
The teenager had barely spoken since leaving the house.
Richard ordered two burgers and milkshakes.
Ethan stared at the table.
“I'm sorry.””
Richard frowned.
“For what?””
“For bringing all this into your house.””
Richard shook his head.
“You didn't bring it. You found it.””
Ethan looked up.
“Dad says you're trying to ruin his life.””
Richard took a sip of water.
“Your father has made some choices. I didn't make them for him.””
Ethan nodded slowly.
“My mom's been crying a lot.””
“I'm sorry.””
“He said he was going to marry Denise and that we'd all live together.””
Richard looked at him.
“Did your mother know?””
Ethan shook his head.
“No. She thought they were still together.””
Richard put down his glass.
“What?””
Ethan reached into his backpack and pulled out another paper.
It was a copy of a message Marcus had sent Vanessa.
I need another six months. Once the property is transferred, I'll be able to provide everything you and Ethan deserve. Don't tell Denise yet.
Richard read it twice.
“When was this sent?””
“Four months ago.””
Richard handed it back.
“Ethan, you need to show this to your mother.””
“I know.””
The teenager looked at him.
“Can I ask you something?””
“Of course.””
“Were you really the one who raised Maya?””
Richard nodded.
“Most of the time.””
“Did she love you?””
Richard looked out the window.
The diner lights reflected in the glass.
“She used to.””
Ethan looked down.
“I think I used to believe Dad when he said he would come home.””
Richard turned toward him.
“Don't let someone else's choices convince you that you're not worth coming home to.””
Ethan's eyes filled.
He quickly wiped them.
Richard pretended not to notice.
Then his phone rang.
It was Laura Bennett.
“Mr. Hayes, I have an update.””
Richard stepped outside the diner.
“What happened?””
“The bank has completed its preliminary review. The disputed transfer has been flagged, and the loan application is now under investigation.””
Richard exhaled.
“Good.””
“But there's something else.””
“What?””
“Someone has submitted a new document claiming you voluntarily transferred your interest in the family property.””
Richard went still.
“What family property?””
“Your primary residence.””
He looked through the diner window.
Ethan was sitting alone at the table.
Richard's home.
The place where Maya had grown up.
The place where Denise still lived.
Someone was trying to take that too.
Laura continued.
“Mr. Hayes, the document was filed yesterday.””
Richard tightened his grip on the phone.
“Who submitted it?””
There was a pause.
May you like
Then Laura said:
“Your wife.””
