- 6.
Hidden in a secluded booth, I spilled my water,
my hands trembling. I dabbed at the mess with
a napkin, my eyes glued to the entrance. My
heart pounded in my chest.
“She’s not his mistress,” Ethan said, his voice
tight. I watched Robert and Chloe. They weren’t
acting like a couple. They didn’t go upstairs.
They entered the hotel restaurant. I forced a
smile, trying to convince myself. “Don’t be silly.
He’s your father. I know him.” It must be a
business dinner, I told myself.
“You accuse me of being delusional? Look at
yourself!” Ethan ripped off his baseball cap and
threw it on the floor. “You’ve devoted your life
to this family, and he’s been lying to you for
twenty–three years!”
He shoved his phone at me. It was filled with
evidence he’d uncovered at Stellar. Why had
55-
1:1-
<
Chloe’s career taken off while so many other
aspiring stars languished in obscurity? Robert
had been secretly funneling money through
shell companies to boost her career. That’s why
I couldn’t find anything on her.
But why? Wait, what had Ethan said? Twenty-
three? That number was significant. It suddenly
connected all the dots: Chloe’s age. The rumors
Jody mentioned. Ethan’s strange behavior.
Robert’s initial investigation, then his sudden
disinterest. Could it be…
“He’s been having an affair. Chloe is his
illegitimate daughter.”
Twenty–three years ago, Robert and I had a
shotgun wedding. I was pregnant with Ethan.
Back then, Robert was drowning in debt. It was
hard to imagine the business tycoon he was
now, reduced to being a driver and assistant for his former rival, a man he’d despised. He came home with bruises, claiming he’d been clumsy
<
on construction sites. He swallowed his pride,
earned a pittance, which was wiped out by my
two–month hospital stay after Ethan’s
premature birth. “It’s okay. As long as you and
our son are alright, I can handle anything.”
Robert, a proud man, had cried when I was
wheeled out of the delivery room. He said he
finally felt at peace. He started over, literally
working on construction sites. I’d bring him
lunch, self–consciously hiding my face. He’d
tease me, pulling off my mask and scarf. “Don’t
worry, no one recognizes you here!” He’d sigh.
“No one recognizes me either.” Losing his
status wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. He
reinvented himself, and within three years, he’d
made a fortune in the booming real estate
market. As his business grew, he created Ray
Entertainment for me, pouring resources into
my potential comeback. But I hesitated. I loved
the spotlight, but I needed a family. I was
content with my decision. Until now.
“So you were getting close to Chloe to find out
who she really was?”
Ethan’s usual swagger returned. “Of course! Why else would I waste my time on her?” He took my hand. “Mom, whatever happens, whatever you decide, I’ll always be there for
you. You’ve always protected me. Now it’s my turn.” His words pierced through my anger. I
put on my sunglasses, hiding my tears.
“Let’s go.”
“Where? To confront Dad?” Ethan cracked his
knuckles. I swatted him on the head. “Confront who? We’re going home!”
“Home?” He was incredulous. “Mom, don’t
disappoint me. You’re just going to let this
go?”
“Let what go? I’m just getting started.” I
dragged him out of the hotel. As we drove
<
away, the city lights blurred, looking surreal.
“You judge a book by its cover, but you judge
people by their hearts,” I murmured.
