Chapter 14 - The Brother Nobody KnewEthan stared at the screen.
“My twin?”
Vanessa nodded.
“His name is Lucas.”
Ethan laughed once.
“My father told me my mother lost a baby.”
“She didn't.”
I looked at Vanessa.
“Why hide him?”
“Because Lucas wasn't normal.”
“What does that mean?”
“He was raised by Martin Hale.”
My mother's face went pale.
“He was trained.”
“For what?”
“To become Ethan.”
I turned to my husband.
“You had a replacement?”
Vanessa nodded.
“Martin wanted someone who could step into Ethan's identity if necessary.”
“Why?”
“To control Northstar.”
Ethan looked horrified.
“He looked like me.”
“Exactly.”
“Why didn't I know?”
“Because you were never supposed to.”
My father entered the room.
I turned.
He stood in the doorway.
Alive.
Again.
“Enough secrets,” he said.
I wanted to hit him.
“You knew about Lucas.”
“Yes.”
“You knew about all of this.”
“Yes.”
“You used Ethan.”
“Yes.”
“And you used me.”
His expression broke.
“I tried to protect you.”
“You don't get to call it protection after what you did.”
He lowered his head.
“You're right.”
For the first time, my father looked old.
He placed a leather ledger on the table.
“This is what they want.”
I stared at it.
“The original Northstar ledger.”
“Yes.”
“And you have it?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because everyone who touched this project is listed inside.”
I opened it.
Names.
Dates.
Payments.
Orders.
Then I saw something that made my blood freeze.
CLAIRE BENNETT.
Next to my name was a date.
Tomorrow.
“What is this?”
My father said:
“The date they planned to take control of your assets.”
“And if they do?”
“You lose everything.”
I looked at Ethan.
“Can we stop them?”
“Yes.”
My father nodded.
“But you must do something first.”
“What?”
“Get divorced.”
I stared at him.
“What?”
“Legally. Publicly. Tomorrow.”
Ethan looked stunned.
“Why?”
“Because the transfer clause expires after midnight.”
I remembered the contract.
Upon dissolution of marriage, Ethan would temporarily control Northstar.
But another clause said the transfer expired after twenty-four hours unless validated by a trustee.
My father continued:
“They expect Claire to divorce Ethan tomorrow.”
“Then what?”
“Then Martin takes control through Lucas.”
Ethan shook his head.
“So divorce me anyway?”
“Yes.”
I looked at him.
“This ends us.”
He swallowed.
“If it saves you…”
His voice broke.
“Yes.”
I hated how much that hurt.
My father placed another document before me.
“Sign the divorce papers.”
I picked up the pen.
Then stopped.
“What happens if I don't?”
My father's eyes darkened.
“Your mother dies.”
Silence.
I looked at my mother.
She whispered:
“Do it.”
I signed.
So did Ethan.
The marriage that had begun with a promise was ending with a legal signature.
I put down the pen.
Then my father smiled.
“Good.”
The doors behind us locked.
I heard men entering the building.
My father looked at me.
“They came early.”
Ethan grabbed my hand.
“Run.”
But the lights suddenly went out.
May you like
And when they came back on, my father was gone.
So was the ledger.
