Chapter 11 - THE BROTHER WHO WAS BORN INTO A LIE
For several seconds, I couldn't hear anything.
My little brother.
The child I'd raised since I was sixteen.
The boy who called me Ellie and insisted I eat dinner.
Was the son of Dante Vancel's father?
I stared at Mom.
"That's impossible."
She began crying.
"Elena, please let me explain."
Dante stood motionless near the doorway.
His expression had gone completely blank.
"Was my father involved with Catherine?" he asked quietly.
Mom nodded.
"Years ago, after Adrian disappeared, your father offered me protection. He said he would help keep my family safe."
She swallowed.
"I trusted him."
My chest tightened.
"Mom..."
Her voice shook.
"It wasn't a loving relationship. Patrick used his power over my employment and our safety. I felt trapped."
Dante's face changed.
"I'm sorry."
Mom wiped her tears.
"When I discovered I was pregnant, I wanted nothing more to do with him. He agreed to keep the truth private, but Richard Vale learned about the pregnancy."
I looked at her.
"Why did that matter?"
"Because Patrick had established a family trust for his children. Toby could potentially have a legal claim."
Dante slowly sat down.
"My father never told me."
Mom shook her head.
"He never intended to."
I felt tears rising again.
For years, I'd believed Adrian was Toby's father.
Now I understood why Mom never spoke about the past.
But one question burned through me.
"Why did Richard Vale want Toby?"
Mom looked devastated.
"Vale believed he could use Toby's existence to control Patrick's money. After Patrick died, he wanted to maintain control of the trust."
Dante stared at the floor.
"My father died three years ago."
Mom nodded.
"Vale continued using the old accounts. He needed Toby's identity documents to make claims against the trust."
My stomach dropped.
"The forged hospital applications."
"Yes."
Dante stood.
"That's why Gregory was monitoring Elena."
Mom nodded.
"And why he tried to move Toby to a private facility."
I felt sick.
My little brother wasn't simply a sick child caught in a financial scam.
He was connected to a fortune someone was willing to steal.
Dante looked at me.
"Elena, I want you to know something."
I raised my eyes.
"Whatever happens with the trust, Toby's welfare comes first."
I swallowed.
"And what happens to us?"
He looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
"Your father is Toby's father. That makes Toby your half-brother."
Dante nodded.
"Yes."
I took a shaky breath.
"And you and I..."
He understood immediately.
"No, Elena. You're Adrian Vance's daughter. Toby and I share a father. You and I aren't biologically related."
I closed my eyes.
Relief and confusion collided.
Dante continued.
"But I won't pretend this doesn't change everything."
I nodded.
Neither of us spoke for a moment.
Then my phone rang.
NYU Langone.
I answered.
"Miss Vance?"
"Yes?"
"This is Dr. Harper. We need to discuss Toby's condition."
My heart stopped.
"What's wrong?"
May you like
She took a breath.
"His latest tests show his heart function has worsened. We may need to move the surgery earlier."
