Chapter 3
I held the phone against my ear.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then a man's voice came through.
"Arthur?"
My throat closed.
That voice.
Deep.
Warm.
Slightly nervous.
I had imagined my father's voice thousands of times.
Now I was hearing it for the first time.
"Hello?"
I swallowed.
"My name is Marcus."
Silence.
Then I heard a sharp breath.
"Marcus?"
"Yes."
Another pause.
Then the man whispered something that made tears rush into my eyes.
"My son?"
I couldn't speak.
I pressed my free hand against my chest.
He sounded shocked.
Confused.
Almost frightened.
"Arthur told me he found something," Jonathan continued. "He said there were documents about Diane, but he wouldn't explain over the phone."
I closed my eyes.
"He told me tonight."
Jonathan's breathing changed.
"What did he tell you?"
"That you're my father."
Silence.
Then I heard him begin to cry.
Not quietly.
Not politely.
He broke down.
"Oh, God."
I started crying too.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
I shook my head even though he couldn't see me.
"You didn't know."
"No."
His voice cracked.
"I swear to you, Marcus, I didn't know."
I leaned against the wall.
All around me, the gala continued in stunned silence.
Maya stood beside me.
Arthur watched carefully.
Diane remained near the champagne table, her face wet with tears.
Jonathan continued.
"If I'd known you existed, I would've been there."
I covered my mouth.
Those were the words I'd wanted to hear my entire life.
"Are you sure?"
He sounded devastated.
"Son, I would've crossed the country for you."
I closed my eyes.
Son.
He called me son.
I had spent nineteen years believing I was unwanted.
Now a man I'd never met was crying because he'd missed my childhood.
I whispered, "I don't know what to say."
Jonathan exhaled shakily.
"Neither do I."
For several seconds, we simply listened to each other breathe.
Then he asked, "Are you safe?"
I looked toward Diane.
"I think so."
"What happened?"
I swallowed.
"Mom's having an anniversary party."
"Okay."
"She told me to get out of the family photograph."
Jonathan went silent.
I continued.
"She said it was for real family."
His voice changed.
"What?"
I felt embarrassed repeating it.
But I needed him to know.
"She said I was lucky she let me come."
Jonathan whispered, "Marcus."
I stared at the floor.
"I guess I've always known she didn't really want me around."
"No."
His response was immediate.
"Don't say that."
"But—"
"Listen to me."
His voice was firm.
"Whatever Diane has done, none of it changes your worth."
Tears streamed down my cheeks.
"You don't even know me."
"Then I'd like to change that."
I laughed through my tears.
A strange, broken laugh.
"Yeah."
Jonathan continued.
"I'm in California, but I can fly to Atlanta tomorrow."
My heart raced.
"Tomorrow?"
"If you're comfortable."
I looked at Arthur.
He nodded gently.
I swallowed.
"I'd like that."
Jonathan exhaled.
"Okay."
Then he hesitated.
"Marcus, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"What do you like?"
The question caught me off guard.
"What?"
He gave a nervous laugh.
"I don't know anything about you. I don't even know your favorite food."
I smiled through tears.
"Chicken and waffles."
Jonathan laughed.
"Mine too."
I almost cried again.
"And I'm studying mechanical engineering."
The line went silent.
Then Jonathan whispered, "You're kidding."
"No."
"Marcus, I'm a mechanical engineer."
I stared at the phone.
For the first time, I laughed.
A real laugh.
Maya smiled beside me.
Jonathan sounded amazed.
"What made you choose engineering?"
I looked down at my hands.
"I like building things."
Another pause.
Then he said, "So do I."
Something warm spread through my chest.
We were strangers.
But maybe we weren't completely different.
After a few more minutes, Arthur gently touched my shoulder.
I understood.
There were legal questions to address.
Financial records to secure.
A family crisis unfolding in front of everyone.
I told Jonathan I'd call him later.
Before hanging up, he said something that stayed with me.
"Marcus?"
"Yeah?"
"I know I can't give you back nineteen years."
My throat tightened.
"But if you'll let me, I'd like to spend the rest of my life showing up."
I closed my eyes.
"I'd like that."
When the call ended, I stared at the screen.
For the first time, I had my father's number.
A real number.
Not an imaginary face.
Not a story Mom told when she was angry.
A person.
Someone who wanted to know me.
Maya wrapped her arms around me.
"I'm so sorry, Marcus."
I hugged her tightly.
"You didn't do anything."
She shook her head.
"I should've stood up for you sooner."
I pulled back.
"You always tried."
Her eyes filled.
"Not enough."
I looked at her.
"You're my sister. That's never been the problem."
She hugged me again.
Then Arthur approached.
"Marcus, I think we should leave."
I nodded.
But Diane stepped toward us.
"You're not taking my son anywhere."
I turned.
For the first time, I didn't feel afraid of her anger.
"I'm leaving with Maya and Uncle Arthur."
Diane stared at me.
"After everything I've done for you?"
I felt a familiar wave of guilt.
Then I remembered Jonathan's words.
None of it changes your worth.
I took a breath.
"Mom, raising me doesn't give you permission to humiliate me."
She flinched.
"I sacrificed everything!"
I shook my head.
"You made choices. And I'm tired of being punished for them."
Diane's face hardened.
"Fine. Go meet your precious father."
I stared at her.
She continued.
"See how long he wants you once he realizes what you're really like."
The words struck me.
For a second, I was nineteen years old and eight years old at the same time.
The little boy who had spent his childhood trying to earn her approval.
Then Maya stepped forward.
"Stop it, Mom."
Diane looked furious.
"Maya, stay out of this."
"No."
My sister's voice shook.
"You don't get to hurt him anymore."
Arthur placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Come on, Marcus."
We walked toward the exit.
Behind us, I heard Diane shouting.
But I didn't turn around.
Outside, the cool night air hit my face.
I took a deep breath.
Maya stood beside me.
Arthur opened his car door.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
I opened it.
A photograph appeared.
It showed me at the gala.
Standing beside Arthur.
Holding the envelope.
Below it were six words.
YOU DON'T KNOW WHO YOU TRUST.
My stomach tightened.
I showed Arthur.
His expression changed.
Maya leaned closer.
"What does that mean?"
Arthur stared at the message.
Then he looked toward the ballroom.
His face had gone pale.
"Marcus, get in the car."
I frowned.
"Why?"
He spoke quietly.
"Because whoever sent that message knows about the documents."
I looked toward the bright entrance.
Guests were still leaving.
Security guards stood near the doors.
Somewhere inside, my mother was probably trying to control the damage.
But I suddenly wondered whether she was the only person who wanted the truth hidden.
Arthur closed the portfolio.
"We need to secure everything tonight."
I nodded.
Then my phone vibrated again.
Another message.
This time, it contained only a photograph.
The photograph showed Jonathan Reed standing outside his California office.
Taken that afternoon.
Below it were four words.
STAY AWAY FROM HIM.
My blood turned cold.
May you like
Someone was watching my father.
And whoever it was didn't want us together.
