Chapter 8 - The Father Who Chose for Him
Charles Weller did not leave the estate for nearly two hours.
By the time he finished talking, Ethan no longer recognized his own past.
His father had discovered Rosa’s pregnancy from the first letter.
He had ordered Ethan’s executive assistants to redirect personal correspondence.
He had convinced himself Rosa represented a threat.
Not because she had demanded money.
Because she had demanded nothing.
“She didn’t fit his understanding of people,” Weller explained.
Ethan sat behind the desk.
“What does that mean?”
“Your father trusted greed.”
“He understood greed.”
“He could negotiate with greed.”
“But Rosa wasn’t asking for anything.”
“So he assumed she wanted everything.”
Ethan looked toward his father’s portrait.
The man in the painting looked proud.
Controlled.
Untouchable.
Ethan had spent half his life trying to earn that man’s approval.
Now he wanted to tear the portrait from the wall.
“You told Rosa I wanted her gone.”
“Yes.”
“You damaged her career.”
Weller hesitated.
“Yes.”
Ethan’s hands tightened.
“How?”
“Caldwell Foundation funded part of her laboratory.”
Ethan closed his eyes.
One phone call.
That was probably all it took.
“And you kept this from me after my father died.”
Weller looked ashamed.
“I told myself it no longer mattered.”
“My daughter grew up without me.”
“It mattered.”
Weller lowered his head.
“I know.”
“No.”
Ethan stood.
“You know now because you are afraid.”
Weller did not deny it.
Ethan’s attorney, Jonathan Pierce, sat nearby taking notes.
He finally spoke.
“Charles, do you have records?”
Weller looked at him.
“Some.”
“What kind?”
“Emails.”
“Instructions.”
“Copies of the letters.”
Ethan stopped.
“You have Rosa’s letters?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“In an archive box at my office.”
Ethan stared at him.
“I want them.”
“I assumed you would.”
“Today.”
Weller nodded.
Then he added,
“There’s something else.”
Ethan almost laughed.
“There always is.”
Weller shifted uncomfortably.
“Victoria knows.”
Silence swallowed the room.
Ethan slowly turned.
“What did you say?”
“Victoria knows about Rosa.”
“For how long?”
Weller looked toward Jonathan.
Then back at Ethan.
“Approximately eight months.”
Ethan felt the floor disappear beneath him.
“How?”
“She approached me.”
“Why?”
“She was conducting background checks on household staff.”
Ethan’s voice became dangerously quiet.
“She investigated my employees?”
“Before the wedding.”
“She said she wanted to avoid embarrassing surprises.”
“And you told her Rosa had been involved with me.”
“Yes.”
“Did you tell her about Lily?”
Weller looked away.
Ethan stepped closer.
“Did you tell her?”
“Yes.”
Everything suddenly made sense.
Victoria’s hostility toward Rosa.
Her immediate suspicion.
Her fury at Lily touching the piano.
Her insistence that the child was manipulating Ethan.
She had not been shocked when Ethan asked whether Lily was his.
She had been terrified.
Because she had already known it was possible.
Ethan walked toward the door.
Jonathan stood.
“Where are you going?”
“To see Victoria.”
Jonathan blocked him.
“Not angry.”
Ethan stared at him.
“Move.”
“Not until you think.”
Ethan’s breathing slowed.
Jonathan was right.
Again.
Truth required more than rage.
Ethan picked up his phone instead.
He sent Victoria one message.
COME TO THE ESTATE TOMORROW AT TEN.
WE NEED TO DISCUSS ROSA.
Thirty seconds later, Victoria replied.
FINALLY.
Ethan stared at the word.
May you like
She thought she was coming to expose Rosa.
She had no idea Charles Weller would be sitting in the next room.
