Chapter 13 - Emily’s Sister
Michael could not understand the words.
“Samuel Bennett is Sophia’s father?”
Christopher nodded.
“That makes Sophia…”
“Emily’s half sister.”
Michael sat down.
Jonathan looked stunned.
“I worked for Samuel for twenty years.”
“You didn’t know?”
“No.”
Christopher looked toward the window.
“Almost nobody did.”
Michael rubbed his forehead.
“Did Sophia know?”
“She learned three months ago.”
Michael suddenly understood the hatred.
The remarks.
The obsession with Emily.
The red folder.
“She thinks Emily stole her inheritance.”
Christopher nodded.
“Exactly.”
“But Samuel never acknowledged her.”
“He couldn’t.”
“Why?”
“Because Victor would have killed her.”
Michael stared at him.
Christopher explained.
“Your mother and Samuel had an affair.”
Michael’s face hardened.
“Enough.”
“It lasted less than a year.”
“Stop.”
“Sophia was born during that affair.”
Michael stood.
“I said stop.”
Christopher did.
Michael walked outside.
Snow covered the ground beyond the cabin.
His entire childhood had just been rewritten in minutes.
His father had been a criminal.
His brother had survived.
His mother had lied for decades.
His sister was actually his wife’s half sister.
And Emily had nearly lost her life because of secrets none of them had chosen.
Michael called Emily.
She answered weakly.
“Did you find something?”
He did not know where to begin.
“Emily.”
“What happened?”
“I found Christopher.”
Silence.
“Who?”
“My brother.”
Michael heard her breathe.
“The one who died?”
“He didn’t.”
Emily said nothing for several seconds.
Then Michael continued.
“There’s more.”
He told her.
Samuel.
His mother.
Sophia.
The DNA report.
Emily did not interrupt.
When he finished, she whispered.
“My father was Sophia’s father.”
“Yes.”
Emily began crying quietly.
Michael closed his eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
“She hated me because of him.”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t even know.”
“I know.”
Emily’s voice changed.
“Michael.”
“What?”
“If Sophia learned this three months ago, then the financial theft may not be the reason she came for the folder.”
Michael turned toward the cabin.
“What do you mean?”
“My father left a sealed inheritance addendum.”
Michael felt his chest tighten.
“What addendum?”
“I never opened it.”
“Why?”
“It could only be opened if another biological child made a claim against the Bennett estate.”
Michael stared into the trees.
“Sophia.”
“Yes.”
“Where is it?”
“My attorney has it.”
“Who?”
Emily hesitated.
“Jonathan.”
Michael looked through the cabin window.
Jonathan stood beside Thomas.
“Jonathan says he didn’t know Sophia was Samuel’s daughter.”
Emily went quiet.
Then she said.
“He’s lying.”
Michael’s stomach dropped.
“How do you know?”
“Because Dad made Jonathan witness the addendum.”
Michael slowly turned toward the cabin.
Jonathan noticed him looking.
Emily continued.
“If Sophia is Samuel’s daughter, Jonathan has known since before Dad died.”
Michael entered the cabin.
Jonathan stopped talking.
Michael held the phone at his side.
“You knew.”
Jonathan’s face emptied.
Christopher looked between them.
Michael stepped closer.
“You witnessed Samuel’s inheritance addendum.”
Jonathan said nothing.
“You knew Sophia was his daughter.”
Christopher’s expression hardened.
Jonathan backed toward the fireplace.
Michael continued.
“Why did you lie?”
Jonathan swallowed.
“Because Samuel made me promise.”
“Promise what?”
“Never to tell Sophia.”
Michael stared at him.
“Why?”
Jonathan looked toward Christopher.
Then back at Michael.
“Because Sophia isn’t Samuel’s only secret child.”
No one spoke.
Michael’s voice became very quiet.
“Who else?”
Jonathan looked toward Michael’s phone.
Toward Emily on the other end.
May you like
Then he whispered.
“Michael.”
