Chapter 6 - THE PRICE OF A FATHER'S HONESTY
When we returned to Chicago, Frank was waiting in the library.
Marco knelt beside his wheelchair.
"Dad."
Frank smiled.
"My boy."
Marco took his hand.
"I'm sorry."
Frank frowned.
"For what?"
"For not noticing."
Frank looked confused.
Marco continued.
"For letting Celeste convince me you needed to be kept away from people."
Frank's eyes filled.
"You were... busy."
Marco shook his head.
"That's not an excuse."
I stood near the doorway.
I had spent months caring for Frank.
I knew how hard he worked during physical therapy.
I knew how much effort it took him to button his shirt.
I knew he sometimes needed extra time to find a word.
But I also knew he remembered birthdays, business decisions, family arguments, and stories from forty years earlier.
He was not a burden.
He was a man who had survived a stroke.
And Celeste had used his disability to make people stop listening.
Marco turned toward me.
"Natalie, I need to ask you something."
"Yes?"
"Has Celeste ever interfered with his care?"
I hesitated.
Frank squeezed my hand.
"Tell him."
I took a breath.
"She canceled two therapy appointments."
Marco's expression changed.
"Why?"
"She said the house was too busy."
"What else?"
"She instructed the kitchen to serve him meals upstairs."
Marco stared.
"Anything else?"
I looked down.
"She told me not to bring him downstairs when guests visited."
Frank closed his eyes.
Marco's voice became dangerously quiet.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
The question hurt.
I looked at him.
"Because she told me you had approved it."
He stopped.
I continued.
"And because I needed this job."
Marco looked toward Frank.
Then back at me.
"I'm sorry."
I shook my head.
"You don't have to apologize for her."
"Yes," he said quietly. "I do have to take responsibility for what happened in my house."
That evening, Marco called a family meeting.
He invited his sister, his father, his attorney, and me.
He announced that Celeste would no longer have access to the estate.
He also ordered an independent review of Frank's medical care and household arrangements.
Frank looked relieved.
But Elena remained troubled.
"There's still Adrian."
Marco nodded.
"We'll find him."
Elena shook her head.
"You don't understand."
She placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Adrian holding newborn Theo.
On the back was a handwritten message.
IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO ME, ASK REBECCA ABOUT THE BLUE HOUSE.
Marco stared.
"The blue house?"
May you like
Elena nodded.
"I think that's where Adrian disappeared."
