Chapter 5 - THE FAMILY THAT STOLE FOUR YEARS
Richard Haynes was one of the most influential financiers in New York.
He had known Ethan's father for decades.
After the murder, Richard helped stabilize several Caldwell businesses.
He became a trusted adviser.
A mentor.
Almost a second father.
And, eventually, the man who encouraged Ethan to marry Victoria.
I stared at Ethan.
“Richard knew about me?”
He nodded.
“He knew we were together.”
“And the letter?”
“His office handled the transition after my father's death.”
My stomach twisted.
“Why would he interfere?”
Ethan's jaw tightened.
“I don't know yet.”
I looked at the forged message.
Four years.
Four years of believing Ethan had rejected me.
Four years of struggling alone.
Four years of watching Lily grow without knowing her father.
I wanted to scream.
Instead, I sat down.
Ethan approached.
“Rosa.”
I held up a hand.
“Please.”
He stopped.
I stared at the paper.
“What happened to the original?”
“We're trying to find it.”
I laughed bitterly.
“Of course.”
He looked ashamed.
“I should have come looking for you.”
I looked up.
“Yes.”
He accepted that.
“I should have questioned the message.”
“Yes.”
“And I should have been someone you felt safe telling about our daughter.”
My eyes filled.
He continued.
“I can't give you those years back.”
I looked away.
“No.”
“But I can stop pretending the people around me deserve my trust simply because they've been there a long time.”
I studied him.
“Ethan, this isn't only about us.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
“Someone deliberately separated a child from her father.”
His face tightened.
May you like
“I know.”
“And I want to know why.”
