Chapter 15 - THE LAST THING DEREK WANTED
Construction began six months later.
The estate would become a nonprofit family-support center while retaining part of the residential wing for Ethan, Olivia, and eventually Aria whenever she came home.
The ballroom became a community dining hall.
Guest rooms became transitional apartments.
Charles’s office became a counseling center.
Derek’s childhood suite became a children’s library.
Olivia insisted on that one.
When Ethan asked why, she smiled.
“Symbolism.”
The staircase remained.
Olivia refused to remove it.
“We don’t erase history.”
She touched the railing.
“We change what it means.”
News of Haven House spread quickly.
Donations arrived.
Former Whitmore employees volunteered.
Marcus provided construction materials at cost.
Rebecca joined the nonprofit board.
Even Martin Crowe sent money anonymously.
Then Derek filed a lawsuit.
He claimed the estate transfer was invalid.
He demanded Haven House construction stop.
His attorneys argued the property represented irreplaceable family heritage.
Ethan read the complaint in disbelief.
Olivia laughed.
“He tried to throw me out of the family.”
“Now he’s sentimental?”
“He’s not sentimental.”
She closed the document.
“He cannot stand the idea that ordinary people will walk through those doors.”
She was right.
For Derek, the estate represented hierarchy.
It was proof that some people stood above others.
Opening its gates destroyed the symbol he valued most.
The lawsuit failed.
Derek appealed.
That failed too.
Then he disappeared.
His criminal trial was approaching.
His passport had been surrendered.
His electronic monitoring device was found inside an abandoned rental car.
Federal authorities launched a search.
Ethan increased security at Haven House.
Olivia hated it.
“I don’t want armed guards greeting families.”
“I don’t want Derek walking in.”
They compromised.
Plainclothes security.
Controlled entrances.
Cameras.
For three weeks, nothing happened.
Then Aria returned home from college for winter break.
She was twenty.
Bright.
Opinionated.
Studying social work and public policy.
Ethan pretended not to be proud.
Nobody believed him.
One evening, Aria volunteered late at Haven House.
Olivia was organizing donated clothes.
Ethan was in the former study reviewing budgets.
Snow had begun falling outside.
At 9:12 p.m., the estate lost power.
Backup lights activated immediately.
Ethan looked up.
His phone rang.
Security.
“Mr. Whitmore, someone breached the west service entrance.”
Ethan stood.
“Who?”
“We don’t know.”
Then Olivia screamed Aria’s name.
Ethan ran.
He found Olivia near the staircase.
Aria was gone.
A side door stood open.
Snow blew across the marble floor.
On the bottom step was a folded piece of paper.
Ethan picked it up.
Three words.
YOUR TURN, BROTHER.
Derek.
For one horrifying moment, Ethan was back twenty years earlier.
Olivia at the bottom of the stairs.
Baby clothes scattered around her.
His father watching.
Derek laughing.
But this time Ethan did not freeze.
He looked at security.
“Lock every gate.”
Olivia grabbed his arm.
“He took her.”
“No.”
Ethan looked toward the snow outside.
“Derek thinks he took her.”
A security guard stared.
“What does that mean?”
Ethan pulled out his phone.
“My daughter grew up knowing exactly what kind of man he is.”
He called Aria.
No answer.
Then another phone rang.
Olivia’s.
A location alert appeared.
Aria had activated the emergency tracker inside her bracelet.
Ethan looked at the map.
“She’s moving east.”
Security rushed toward the vehicles.
Ethan grabbed his coat.
Olivia followed.
“You stay here.”
She stared at him.
“Try that sentence again.”
May you like
Ethan did not waste time arguing.
They left together.
