Chapter 9: The Child Nobody Knew About
Marcus didn’t sleep.
He sat at the kitchen table until sunrise.
The photograph remained on his phone.
He had looked at it hundreds of times.
Trying to find a mistake.
A fake date.
A hidden explanation.
Anything.
But the image remained.
Brielle outside a hospital.
Holding a baby blanket.
One month earlier.
At seven in the morning, Evelyn arrived.
She didn’t knock.
She knew Marcus would still be awake.
When she entered, she saw his face.
And immediately knew something had happened.
“What is it?””
Marcus handed her the phone.
Evelyn looked at the image.
Her expression changed.
“What?””
“You know something.””
She looked at him.
“No.””
“Mom.””
“I don’t.””
The fear in her voice told him she was telling the truth.
For once.
Marcus sat down.
“Then we find out.””
An hour later, Nathan arrived.
He looked at the photograph.
Then looked at Brielle.
She had been silent since the night before.
“Brielle.””
She didn’t answer.
“Is there something you haven’t told us?””
She looked exhausted.
“Yes.””
Marcus closed his eyes.
Of course.
Another secret.
Another hidden piece.
She sat down.
“When I left Daniel, I thought I lost everything.””
Nobody interrupted.
“But I didn’t.””
She looked at Marcus.
“I had something left.””
His chest tightened.
“What?””
Brielle’s voice barely came out.
“My daughter.””
Silence.
Nathan looked confused.
Evelyn covered her mouth.
Marcus stared.
“What did you say?””
Brielle began crying.
“The baby didn’t die.””
Nobody moved.
Nobody breathed.
“Brielle.””
“I was told she died.””
Her voice broke.
“But she didn’t.””
Marcus stood.
“Then where was she?””
Brielle looked down.
“I don’t know.””
The answer was devastating.
“You don’t know where your child is?””
“I searched.””
“Then explain the picture.””
She wiped her tears.
“Because someone found her.””
Marcus felt dizzy.
“Who?””
Brielle looked at Nathan.
And Nathan immediately understood.
“No.””
Marcus turned.
“What?””
Nathan’s face changed.
“Brielle.””
“Tell him.””
Nathan stepped back.
“I can’t.””
“You have to.””
Marcus looked between them.
“What are you both hiding?””
Nathan finally spoke.
“Daniel had a daughter.””
Marcus stared.
“Yes.””
“And?””
Nathan swallowed.
“And after Brielle left, Daniel claimed the child died.””
Marcus looked at Brielle.
“But she didn’t.””
“No.””
The room became silent.
Marcus felt something inside him break.
All these years.
All these lies.
All these secrets.
And there was a child somewhere in the middle of it all.
“What does this have to do with me?””
Nobody answered.
Then Evelyn’s phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
Her face changed.
“It’s Daniel.””
Marcus froze.
“Answer it.””
Evelyn hesitated.
Then pressed the button.
Daniel’s voice came through.
“You finally found out.””
Everyone went still.
Marcus stepped closer.
“Where is the child?””
A pause.
Then Daniel laughed softly.
“You sound like me.””
Marcus gripped the phone.
“Where is she?””
Daniel ignored the question.
“You should ask Brielle why she never told you about the night she left.””
Marcus looked at Brielle.
Her face went pale.
Daniel continued.
“Because she didn’t run away alone.””
Marcus felt his heart race.
“What does that mean?””
Daniel’s voice became colder.
“It means your perfect bride has been protecting someone else.””
“Who?””
A long pause.
Then Daniel said:
“Your father.””
Marcus froze.
The room went silent.
His father had been dead for years.
Impossible.
Daniel continued:
“Ask your mother what happened the night Brielle disappeared.””
The call ended.
Marcus slowly lowered the phone.
Everyone looked at Evelyn.
She was crying.
Not because of Daniel.
Because she knew.
Marcus whispered:
“Mom.””
Evelyn closed her eyes.
“I was hoping you would never have to know.””
“What?””
She looked at him.
“The night Brielle disappeared…”
Her voice shook.
“Your father was still alive.””
Marcus felt the world collapse.
May you like
Because everything he believed about his family…
Was about to change.
