Chapter 8: The Brother Who Carried the Secret
Andre found David Fields two hours later.
Not because David wanted to be found.
Because Lena finally admitted where he was.
A small workshop outside town.
No sign.
No address.
Just an old building surrounded by trees.
Ben came with him.
Andre wanted to leave him at home.
But Ben refused.
"I deserve to know.""
Andre looked at him.
"You shouldn't have to carry this.""
Ben stared back.
"I already have.""
The answer silenced him.
When they entered the workshop, the smell of wood and dust filled the air.
A man stood behind a workbench.
Older.
Tired.
His face carried the weight of someone who had been running from the past.
He looked up.
Then froze.
"Ben.""
The boy stopped.
Nobody had said his name like that before.
Like they had been waiting years.
David slowly walked forward.
"I never thought I'd see you.""
Andre stepped between them.
"You called me.""
David nodded.
"I knew I couldn't hide forever.""
"Then don't.""
David looked at Ben.
"There are things your mother wanted you to know.""
Ben swallowed.
"Why didn't she tell me herself?""
The question broke David.
"Because she didn't get the chance.""
Andre watched him carefully.
"What happened?""
David motioned toward a table.
Three chairs.
They sat.
David placed an old envelope in front of Ben.
"This was supposed to be yours.""
Ben stared.
"My mom wrote it?""
David nodded.
"She wrote it after she found out.""
Andre looked at him.
"Found out what?""
David took a breath.
"The truth about your father.""
Ben looked at the envelope.
"Is it him?""
David looked at Andre.
"No.""
A pause.
"Your father is not Marcus.""
Ben's hands tightened.
"Then who?""
David looked at him.
"Someone who loved your mother.""
Andre felt his stomach drop.
"Who?""
David looked directly at him.
"Andre.""
The room became silent.
Ben looked between them.
"What?""
Andre couldn't speak.
David continued.
"The test you saw was real.""
Andre stared.
"Marcus isn't his father.""
David nodded.
"But neither am I.""
Andre stood.
"No.""
David didn't move.
"Nia was pregnant when she met you.""
The words hit.
Andre felt like he couldn't breathe.
"That's impossible.""
David shook his head.
"She didn't know at first.""
Ben looked confused.
"What are you saying?""
David looked at him.
"I'm saying your mother was already carrying you when she left Marcus.""
Andre sat back down slowly.
His mind raced.
Memories.
Dates.
Conversations.
Everything he had ignored.
Nia telling him she had a surprise.
Nia crying when she told him she was scared.
Nia saying:
"I hope one day he knows how much he was loved.""
Andre whispered:
"She never told me.""
David nodded.
"She wanted to.""
"Why didn't she?""
"Because Marcus threatened her.""
Ben looked angry.
"So Marcus knew?""
"Yes.""
"Then why didn't he say anything?""
David looked toward the window.
"Because Marcus didn't want the truth.""
Andre frowned.
"What truth?""
David looked at Ben.
"That he wasn't your father.""
The room was silent.
Then Ben asked the question everyone feared.
"Who is?""
David reached into his pocket.
He pulled out an old photograph.
He placed it on the table.
Andre saw it.
And his entire world stopped.
It was him.
Seven years younger.
Standing beside Nia.
She was holding a pregnancy test.
Both of them were crying.
Andre stared.
"I don't remember this.""
David nodded.
"Because Marcus made sure you wouldn't.""
"What?""
David's expression darkened.
"Before Nia died, she discovered Marcus had been manipulating everyone.""
Andre felt cold.
"What did he do?""
David looked at Ben.
"He found a way to convince you that Nia was hiding something from you.""
Andre's chest tightened.
"He lied to me.""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
David answered:
"Because he wanted Nia back.""
Ben looked at the photograph.
Then at Andre.
"So...""
His voice shook.
"He's not my dad.""
Andre looked at him.
"No.""
The boy's eyes filled.
"Then you are?""
Andre couldn't answer.
Because the answer was too big.
Too painful.
Too beautiful.
David pushed the envelope toward Ben.
"Your mother wrote this before she died.""
Ben opened it slowly.
Inside was a letter.
The first line made his hands shake.
"My sweet Ben, if you ever read this, it means I couldn't tell you myself.""
Andre closed his eyes.
David watched him.
Then whispered:
"There is one more thing.""
Andre looked up.
"What?""
David's face became serious.
"Nia's death wasn't an accident.""
The air disappeared from the room.
Ben stopped reading.
Andre stared.
"What did you say?""
May you like
David looked toward the door.
"Someone killed her.""
