Chapter 6: The Brother Who Came Back
I stared at the photo until my vision blurred.
Andrew.
Alive.
Standing in front of a small wooden cabin surrounded by trees.
Older.
Tired.
But alive.
My hands tightened around the phone.
My father saw the picture.
And for the first time in my life, I saw fear on his face.
“Where did you get that?””
I looked at him.
“You know where he is.””
My father didn’t answer.
That was enough.
“You knew.””
His shoulders dropped.
“I knew he survived.””
The words felt like a betrayal.
“You let me believe he was dead.””
“I had no choice.””
“There is always a choice.””
My father looked away.
“Andrew made choices that put everyone at risk.””
I shook my head.
“You keep saying that.””
“Because it’s true.””
“Then tell me the truth.””
He remained silent.
The silence between us was filled with six years of grief.
Six years of believing my brother was gone.
Six years of wondering why I never got to say goodbye.
“You went to his funeral,” I said quietly.
My father closed his eyes.
“Yes.””
“You watched me break down.””
“I know.””
“And you knew he was alive.””
A tear formed in the corner of his eye.
“I thought he would come back.””
“But he didn’t.””
“No.””
“Why?””
My father looked at me.
“Because someone tried to kill him again.””
A chill ran through me.
“Who?””
Before he could answer, the office door opened.
Vanessa walked inside.
My father immediately stood.
“You shouldn’t be here.””
She ignored him.
“Ethan needs to know.””
My father’s expression hardened.
“You’ve already caused enough damage.””
Vanessa looked at me.
“I was trying to protect you.””
I laughed.
“Protect me?””
“You think I wanted to lie?””
“You lied every day.””
Her face fell.
“I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
She looked at my father.
“Of him.””
The room went quiet.
My father’s expression changed.
“Vanessa.””
“No.””
She stepped forward.
“I’m done protecting your secrets.””
I looked between them.
“What does my father have to do with Andrew disappearing?””
Vanessa took a deep breath.
“Your father didn’t order the accident.””
I waited.
“But he knew who did.””
My heart sank.
“Who?””
She looked at me.
“Your uncle.””
I froze.
My father’s brother.
The man who had comforted us after Andrew disappeared.
The man who attended every family gathering.
The man who had helped manage Carter Industries.
“That’s impossible.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“Andrew found evidence that your uncle was stealing from the company. When he threatened to expose him, the boat accident happened.””
My father sat down slowly.
“I thought Andrew was dead.””
I looked at him.
“You’re saying you didn’t know?””
He shook his head.
“No.””
“Then why hide the truth?””
His voice broke.
“Because when Andrew contacted me after surviving, he told me someone was still watching us.””
I looked at Vanessa.
“Then how did you know?””
She hesitated.
“Because I helped him escape.””
I stared.
“You?””
She nodded.
“Andrew called me from a hidden number. He needed someone he trusted.””
“And you never told me?””
“He made me promise.””
“Why?””
Vanessa’s eyes filled with tears.
“Because he believed the person closest to you would be the first person they would use against you.””
The words hit me.
The person closest to me.
My thoughts immediately went to her.
But then another thought came.
Who else had been close enough?
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
Everyone in the room went silent.
I answered.
A familiar voice spoke.
“Ethan.””
My heart stopped.
Because after six years…
I heard my brother’s voice.
“Andrew?””
A long pause.
Then:
“I’m sorry I stayed away.””
I gripped the phone.
“Where are you?””
His voice became urgent.
“I don’t have much time.””
“Tell me.””
A breath.
Then my brother said the one thing I never expected.
“Ethan, don’t trust anyone in that house.””
I looked around the room.
At my father.
At Vanessa.
At the walls of the home where I grew up.
May you like
Then Andrew whispered:
“Because the person who betrayed me is standing closer to you than you realize.””
