Chapter 3 - THE BROTHER WHO CAME HOME SMILING
Sebastian had spent twenty-six years believing his mother's death was the one tragedy his family could never repair.
Now, in a basement room that officially did not exist, his uncle had shattered everything he thought he knew.
"You're lying," Sebastian said.
Daniel didn't flinch.
"I wish I were."
"My father loved my mother."
"He did. That's what made it so easy to destroy him."
Sebastian stood abruptly, forcing himself to take a breath.
He wanted to demand every answer immediately. Instead, he looked at Dominic.
"Get medical help for my uncle. No one touches him without my permission."
Then he turned toward Vanessa.
She stood between two guards, her expensive evening dress immaculate, her expression composed again.
"You said you didn't know this room existed."
"I didn't."
"Daniel just identified you."
"He's been imprisoned for twenty years! Do you think he's thinking clearly?"
Daniel gave a bitter laugh.
"You visited me last Tuesday, Vanessa. You brought a folder and told me Sebastian would sign whatever you put in front of him."
Vanessa's face lost its color.
Sebastian moved closer.
"What folder?"
She remained silent.
Clara stepped forward.
"The document we found on your father," she said. "The one transferring control of the estate."
Vanessa's eyes flashed.
"Stay out of this."
Clara recoiled, but Sebastian positioned himself between them.
"You're finished speaking to her that way."
It was the first time anyone in the mansion had defended Clara against Vanessa without hesitation.
For three weeks, Clara had endured insults about her shoes, her accent, and the fact that she came from a small Pennsylvania town rather than an established family.
She had learned to keep her head down.
Tonight, that strategy had ended.
Sebastian ordered Vanessa escorted to the library under guard. He then accompanied Antonio upstairs, refusing to leave his father alone even while the family physician examined Daniel.
The doctor found Antonio dehydrated and dangerously underweight. His medication schedule had been altered, and several doses were missing from the weekly organizer.
"Someone has been neglecting him," the physician said privately.
Sebastian looked through the glass panel at his father.
"Neglecting him, or deliberately weakening him?"
The doctor hesitated.
"I can't establish intent from a medical examination."
"Then establish what happened."
Sebastian's phone vibrated.
MICHAEL.
His younger brother's name filled the screen.
Sebastian answered.
"Where are you?"
"At the warehouse. Why?"
"Come home."
A pause.
"What happened?"
"Uncle Daniel is alive."
Silence stretched between them.
Then Michael laughed.
It was a single, nervous sound.
"That's impossible."
"Then you won't have any trouble explaining why his room was opened five times."
Michael stopped laughing.
Sebastian heard traffic in the background.
"Don't touch anything," Michael said.
"Why?"
"Because if Daniel is alive, you have no idea what he can do to this family."
Sebastian's grip tightened around the phone.
"You sound remarkably concerned about a man you claim never existed."
Michael hung up.
Twenty-three minutes later, two black SUVs swept into the mansion's driveway.
Michael entered the foyer wearing a charcoal overcoat, his dark hair damp from the rain. At thirty-four, he was handsome in the effortless way that had always made people underestimate him.
He embraced Sebastian.
Then he saw Clara standing beside Antonio's wheelchair.
His smile disappeared.
"You," he said.
Clara's stomach dropped.
"You know her?" Sebastian asked.
Michael recovered quickly.
"She's the new maid, isn't she?"
"Answer the question."
Michael looked at his brother.
"Of course I know her. I hired her."
Sebastian frowned.
"You hired her?"
"Through the agency. I thought we needed someone who could help Dad communicate."
Clara stared at him.
That was not what she had been told.
The staffing agency had said the household manager requested an additional caregiver.
Michael turned toward Antonio.
"Father, I'm glad you're all right."
Antonio recoiled so violently that the wheelchair struck the wall.
Everyone noticed.
Michael's smile faltered.
Sebastian stepped between them.
"Why is he afraid of you?"
"He isn't. The stroke left him anxious."
"Then why did he just try to get away from you?"
Michael's expression hardened.
"Because someone has been filling his head with nonsense."
He glanced at Clara.
She understood the warning immediately.
Sebastian did, too.
"Dominic," he said, "search Michael's office. Every drawer. Every safe. Every computer."
Michael stared at him.
"You wouldn't dare."
"I just did."
As the guards moved, Michael leaned close to his brother.
"You think you're protecting Dad. You have no idea what he did."
"Then tell me."
Michael's eyes burned.
"Ask him about the night Mom died."
Before Sebastian could respond, Dominic returned carrying a small black folder.
Inside were photographs of the basement corridor, copies of forged medical reports, and a handwritten list of dates.
Five dates had been circled.
Each matched one of Antonio's nighttime trips.
At the bottom of the page was a sixth date.
Tomorrow.
Sebastian looked up.
"What happens tomorrow?"
Michael didn't answer.
Instead, he pulled a folded document from his coat and laid it on the table.
It was a court order authorizing an emergency guardianship hearing.
The petitioner was Vanessa Sterling.
The hearing was scheduled for nine the following morning.
If approved, Vanessa would gain legal authority over Antonio's medical decisions and financial affairs.
Sebastian looked at the signature attached to the supporting medical affidavit.
His own name.
His signature had been forged.
Michael stepped backward toward the door.
"You should have left the room sealed."
Sebastian raised his eyes.
"Why?"
Michael's expression finally cracked.
May you like
"Because the person in room seventeen isn't the only witness Dad has been hiding."
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