Chapter 6
The first thing Marcus wanted to do was drive to Charlotte.
The second was call Richard Vale and demand answers.
I stopped him from doing either.
Not because I wanted to control him.
Because for ten years, Richard had apparently maintained enough influence to frighten Daniel into hiding.
And now that Daniel had come forward, we couldn't afford to make reckless decisions.
Marcus paced our living room.
"My brother is alive."
I nodded.
"I know."
"He's close enough that I could drive there today."
"I know."
He stopped.
"Then why are we sitting here?"
I looked at him.
"Because Daniel asked for safe contact."
Marcus's eyes filled.
"He asked six months ago."
I swallowed.
"Yes."
He looked away.
For a moment, I saw the anger return.
Not just toward Evelyn.
Toward me.
Toward everyone who had known something he didn't.
I stepped closer.
"Marcus, I'm not asking you to forgive the secrets."
He turned.
"I'm asking you not to put Daniel at risk because we're desperate to see him."
His expression softened.
Then he sank onto the sofa.
"I just want my brother back."
I sat beside him.
"I know."
He covered his face.
And for the first time since the birthday celebration, he sobbed without trying to hide it.
I wrapped my arms around him.
He held me tightly.
We stayed that way until his breathing slowed.
Later that afternoon, David Collins called again.
He explained that Daniel had been working with investigators concerning the Riverbend financial records.
A formal complaint had led to requests for documents and interviews.
The investigation was ongoing.
But David had established contact through Daniel's attorney.
And Daniel had agreed to receive a message from the family.
Marcus stared at the phone.
"Can I speak to him?"
David paused.
"Not immediately. His attorney wants to confirm arrangements first."
Marcus nodded.
"Okay."
Then David asked whether Marcus wanted to send a short message.
My husband looked at me.
I squeezed his hand.
He took a breath.
"Tell him..."
His voice broke.
"Tell him I never stopped looking."
My eyes filled.
Marcus continued.
"Tell him Maya still has his childhood baseball glove."
He swallowed.
"And tell him Mom is alive. She's waiting."
David said he'd pass the message along.
When the call ended, Marcus sat quietly.
Then he looked at me.
"Do you think he hates us?"
I shook my head.
"I don't know."
He swallowed.
"But I know he wrote that he wanted to come home."
Marcus nodded.
For the first time, I saw hope in his face.
That evening, Maya came over.
She carried a small cardboard box.
Inside were childhood photographs.
School certificates.
Old drawings.
And a baseball glove with Daniel's initials written inside.
Marcus picked it up.
His eyes filled.
"I remember this."
Maya smiled through tears.
"Daniel taught me how to throw a ball with it."
Marcus laughed softly.
"He taught me too."
They began sharing memories.
Daniel sneaking extra cookies from the kitchen.
Daniel fixing their bicycles.
Daniel staying up late helping Maya with homework.
For a few minutes, the grief loosened.
We laughed.
Then Maya found a folded piece of paper.
It was an old drawing.
Three children standing in front of a house.
Above them were the words:
OUR FAMILY FOREVER.
She stared at it.
Then started crying.
Marcus hugged her.
I watched them.
For ten years, they'd mourned a brother who was still alive.
And I realized how much time had been stolen from them.
The next morning, Evelyn called.
She wanted to meet.
Marcus hesitated.
He hadn't spoken to her since the Riverbend documents were discovered.
But eventually, he agreed.
We met at her house.
She looked exhausted.
Her gold headwrap was gone.
Her hair was loosely tied back.
When Marcus entered, she stood.
"Baby."
He stopped.
For a moment, I thought he would embrace her.
Instead, he asked, "Why did you let us believe Daniel was dead?"
Evelyn began crying.
"I never said he was dead."
Marcus stared.
"You let everyone think it."
She nodded.
"I did."
His voice cracked.
"Why?"
Evelyn sat down.
Then told us something she'd never admitted.
After Daniel disappeared, Richard threatened to ruin Thomas financially if anyone reported what happened.
He claimed Daniel had stolen money.
He warned that exposing the Riverbend transactions would lead to criminal charges against Thomas.
Evelyn believed him.
She feared losing her husband.
Her home.
And possibly her remaining children.
So she stayed silent.
Then Daniel's first letter arrived.
She wanted to tell Marcus and Maya.
But Thomas begged her not to.
He said Richard might discover Daniel was alive.
And if that happened, Daniel could be in danger.
I listened carefully.
Some of her fear made sense.
But not all her choices did.
"Why didn't you tell them after Thomas died?" I asked.
Evelyn closed her eyes.
"Because I was ashamed."
Marcus stared.
She continued.
"Every year that passed made the lie harder to confess."
Her voice broke.
"I kept telling myself I was protecting you."
Marcus shook his head.
"You weren't."
She nodded.
"I know."
He looked devastated.
"You let me spend ten years wondering whether my brother suffered somewhere alone."
Evelyn started sobbing.
"I'm sorry."
For a long time, nobody spoke.
Then Marcus stood.
"I need time."
Evelyn nodded.
"I understand."
He looked toward the door.
Then stopped.
"Mom?"
She raised her eyes.
"If Daniel comes home, don't ask him to pretend this never happened."
Her face crumpled.
"I won't."
Marcus nodded.
Then we left.
That afternoon, David called with news.
Daniel had received Marcus's message.
My heart pounded.
"And?"
David's voice softened.
"He wants to speak with him."
Marcus froze.
I covered my mouth.
David continued.
"His attorney has arranged a private video call tomorrow."
Marcus sat down slowly.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then he whispered, "Tomorrow?"
"Yes."
He started crying.
I sat beside him.
Held his hand.
And watched ten years of grief begin turning into something neither of us had dared to imagine.
Hope.
But the following morning, before the call, Rebecca contacted us with a warning.
Richard Vale had learned that the Bennett family possessed old Riverbend documents.
And his attorney had begun demanding their return.
Marcus looked at me.
His expression hardened.
"He's scared."
I swallowed.
"Maybe."
Then I looked toward the computer.
May you like
Where we were about to see Daniel's face for the first time in ten years.
And I whispered, "Let's hear what your brother has to say before we decide what anything means."
