Chapter 3: The Father Who Buried the Truth
Richard Sterling had spent eight years protecting one thing.
The Sterling name.
He did not care about emotions.
He cared about power.
When Ethan appeared, everything he built started collapsing.
The media discovered rumors.
The board members questioned the family.
People began asking:
"Why was there another Sterling child?"
Richard tried to control the situation.
He offered money.
A new house.
Private education.
Anything to make Ethan disappear again.
But Ethan refused.
"I don't want your money."
Richard stared at him.
"Then what do you want?"
Ethan looked toward Victoria.
"I want to know why my mother cried every night."
Those words broke Victoria.
Because she knew the answer.
Her child had spent years believing he was unwanted.
Meanwhile, Alexander had grown up believing he was alone.
Two brothers.
Both victims of the same secret.
Then Richard revealed the final piece of the truth.
The locket had not belonged to Ethan's mother.
It belonged to Victoria.
She had placed it around Ethan's neck the night he was taken away.
A message.
A promise.
Something saying:
May you like
"I will find you."
But she never did.
