Chapter 9: The Truth Nobody Wanted
I held the phone against my ear, unable to speak.
Michael’s words kept repeating in my mind.
“From Jacob.””
For days, Jacob had been the person everyone described as the victim.
The lost love.
The man who simply wanted the truth.
But now my brother was telling me there was another side.
“Michael,” I said slowly, “start explaining.””
A long silence followed.
Then he said:
“I should have told you sooner.””
My hands tightened around the phone.
“That’s becoming everyone’s favorite sentence.””
“I know.””
“Why did you take those samples?””
Michael sighed.
“Because I saw something that scared me.””
“What?””
“Jacob and Linda talking.””
I looked at Emily.
She was watching me carefully.
“When?””
“Two weeks before the baby was born.””
My heart sank.
“Where?””
“Outside the hospital.””
I walked toward the window.
“What did you hear?””
Michael hesitated.
“Jacob asked Linda if she had done what they discussed.””
My stomach tightened.
“What did she say?””
“She said the first test was already handled.””
The room felt colder.
“Handled?””
“Yes.””
I closed my eyes.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I didn’t have proof.””
“You could have told me.””
“I know.””
His voice cracked.
“But Daniel, you need to understand. I was trying to figure out what was happening before I destroyed your family.””
I looked at Emily.
She was crying silently.
“Did you think Jacob was trying to take my son?””
Michael answered carefully.
“I thought someone was trying to create a situation where you would leave Emily.””
“Why?””
“Because if your marriage ended, certain people would benefit.””
The pieces started connecting.
Linda’s pressure.
The secret tests.
The name.
The confusion.
But there was still something missing.
“Why would Jacob be involved?””
Michael was quiet.
“Because Jacob wasn’t the person Linda was afraid of.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
“Jacob was being used.””
I sat down.
“What?””
“Daniel, Jacob lost a child years ago. Linda knew that pain made him vulnerable. She convinced him that Emily still had feelings for him.””
Emily covered her mouth.
“No…”
Michael continued.
“She told him Emily was naming the baby after him because she wanted him back.””
I looked at Emily.
“That’s why he believed it?””
She nodded slowly.
“I never told him the real reason.””
Michael continued.
“Jacob started believing he had a connection to your son.””
My chest tightened.
“But the DNA?””
“That was Linda.””
I stood.
“What?””
“She manipulated Jacob into taking a second test. Then she used the results to create chaos.””
“Why?””
Michael answered:
“Because she wanted control.””
The word hung in the air.
Emily shook her head.
“My mother wouldn’t do that.””
But even she didn’t sound certain anymore.
I looked at her.
“Emily.””
She looked up.
“When did your mother start acting differently?””
Emily wiped her eyes.
“After my pregnancy.””
“Think.””
She closed her eyes.
Then whispered:
“She kept asking about our finances.””
I frowned.
“Why?””
“She said having a child changes everything. She asked if you had life insurance. If the house was in your name.””
A cold feeling moved through me.
Michael spoke again.
“Daniel.””
“What?””
“You need to check something.””
“What?””
“Your father’s old trust documents.””
I froze.
“My father’s trust?””
Michael went silent.
Then said:
“Linda knew about it.””
I immediately understood.
My father had left me a family investment account before he passed away.
Not millions.
But enough to secure my family’s future.
Enough to matter.
I grabbed my laptop.
Emily watched me.
“What are you looking for?””
“Something my mother-in-law might have wanted.””
After twenty minutes, I found the old documents.
My hands stopped moving.
There was a clause.
A clause I had forgotten.
The account would transfer completely to my child once my child was born.
Not me.
My child.
Emily’s child.
A child who could never be removed from the family.
Unless something happened.
I read the next line.
And my blood ran cold.
*In the event of divorce or dispute regarding paternity, guardianship rights may be challenged.*
Emily looked over my shoulder.
“Oh my God.””
Linda didn’t want Jacob.
She didn’t want the baby’s name changed.
She wanted a legal battle.
She wanted confusion.
She wanted control over my son’s future.
My phone rang again.
This time, it was Jacob.
I answered.
“Why are you calling me?””
His voice sounded broken.
“Because I finally know what Linda did.””
I stayed silent.
“I found messages.””
“What messages?””
“Between her and someone else.””
“Who?””
Jacob swallowed.
“The person who helped her.””
My heartbeat increased.
“Who?””
His answer came quietly.
“Your attorney.””
I froze.
“My attorney?””
“Yes.””
The line went silent.
Then Jacob said:
“Daniel, the person who was supposed to protect your family…”
May you like
A pause.
“…was the person planning to destroy it.””
