Chapter 13 - THE MAN WHO LIVED AS MY FATHERMy entire understanding of my childhood collapsed in one sentence.
My father had a twin.
Charles told us the story.
Richard Bennett had an identical twin named Robert.
Robert was brilliant.
Charming.
Ruthless.
And according to Charles, dangerous.
When they were young, Robert disappeared.
Years later, he returned.
But by then Richard had built Bennett Marine.
Robert wanted a share.
Richard refused.
So Robert began using Richard's identity.
Bank accounts.
Signatures.
Property transfers.
Eventually, people couldn't tell them apart.
Except one person could.
My mother.
“She knew?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“She married Richard.”
“Yes.”
“But sometimes Robert pretended to be him.”
“Yes.”
I felt nauseous.
“How often?”
“Enough.”
“Then which one was my father?”
Charles looked at me.
“Richard.”
“You're sure?”
“Yes.”
“Who died three years ago?”
“Richard.”
“Then Robert is alive?”
Charles nodded.
My blood went cold.
“Where?”
“We don't know.”
Then Elena interrupted.
“Ashley.”
We looked at her.
She whispered:
“She knew.”
“How?”
“She was obsessed with the family history.”
Charles nodded.
“Sophia discovered Robert years ago.”
“And Mom?”
“She used that knowledge to control everyone.”
I understood.
Mom wasn't just hiding David's death.
She had also been protecting a much larger secret.
She knew Robert had impersonated Richard.
She knew Richard wasn't always present.
And she had used that secret as leverage over the family.
I looked at Bella.
“This is insane.”
Bella nodded.
“Very.”
My phone buzzed.
A message.
From Mom.
Come home. Alone.
I didn't answer.
Another message.
I know about the storage unit.
Another.
I know Charles is with you.
Then:
And I know Elena found the tapes.
I looked at Charles.
“How does she know?”
He shook his head.
“I don't know.”
Then my phone rang.
Mom.
I answered.
“Luke.”
“What do you want?”
“The truth.”
“I'm listening.”
“You have no idea what your father did.”
“Then tell me.”
“He built Northstar to destroy Richard's enemies.”
“Dad built Northstar?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To protect you.”
“From Robert?”
“From everyone.”
I laughed bitterly.
“Mom, I'm done believing you.”
She went silent.
Then she said:
“Ask Charles what happened the night your father died.”
I looked at Charles.
His face changed.
“What happened?”
Charles didn't respond.
“Charles?”
Mom whispered through the phone:
“Your father didn't die in that hospital.”
My blood froze.
“What?”
“The man who died was Robert.”
I couldn't breathe.
Mom continued:
“Richard disappeared.”
I dropped the phone.
Bella picked it up.
“Mom?”
The line was still connected.
Mom said one last sentence.
“The man buried as your father wasn't your father.”
Then the call ended.
I looked at Charles.
“Tell me she's lying.”
He didn't.
That was the answer.
I stood.
“You knew.”
Charles closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because Richard made me promise.”
“When?”
“Before he disappeared.”
“So where is he?”
Charles looked at me.
“I don't know.”
Then Elena's phone rang.
She answered.
A man's voice spoke.
Her face went white.
“What?”
She listened.
Then dropped the phone.
I asked:
“What happened?”
She looked at me.
“They found Richard.”
“Where?”
“He's alive.”
I stepped forward.
“Where is he?”
May you like
Elena whispered:
“On the cruise ship.”
