Chapter 5 - THE BROTHER WHO SENT MONEY FROM THE SHADOWS
My brother was alive.
I had heard the words from Marcus.
But hearing Elena say them made everything suddenly real.
I stared at her.
"Where is Michael?"
She shook her head.
"I don't know."
"Elena—"
"I'm telling the truth."
Her voice trembled.
"He contacts us sometimes. Never from the same number. Never from the same place."
I stepped closer.
"How often?"
"Every few months."
"Does he send money?"
She gave a bitter laugh.
"Sometimes."
I looked at her worn shoes.
The dark circles beneath her eyes.
The lunch bag where she'd hidden discarded dinner rolls.
"Then why are you struggling like this?"
Her expression crumpled.
"Because the money stopped six months ago."
My stomach tightened.
"Why?"
"I don't know."
She wiped her cheeks.
"His last message said he was close to proving something. He promised he'd come home."
I swallowed.
"And then?"
"Nothing."
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then I asked, "Why did you take food from the mansion?"
Her face flushed.
"I know it was wrong."
I closed my eyes.
"Elena..."
"I never took anything meant for the guests. Only food that was going to be thrown away."
Her voice broke.
"Sofia was hungry. Rafael needed medicine. I didn't know what else to do."
I looked toward the window.
For three years, she'd carried the weight of my family's secrets.
And I'd worried about missing bread.
I felt sick.
"I'm sorry."
She stared.
"What?"
"I'm sorry."
She didn't move.
Maybe because she'd never heard those words from me.
Maybe because she didn't believe them.
I couldn't blame her.
"Elena, I want to help."
Her expression hardened immediately.
"No."
I blinked.
"No?"
"I won't let you buy my silence."
The words cut deep.
"That's not what I'm offering."
"Then what are you offering?"
I took a breath.
"Food. Medical care. A safe place to live. No conditions."
She studied me.
Then shook her head.
"I need a job, Daniel. Not charity."
I nodded.
"Then keep your job. And from now on, employees can take approved surplus food home instead of throwing it away."
Her eyes widened.
"What?"
"I should've done it years ago."
She looked down.
For the first time, she seemed uncertain.
Then she whispered, "Rafael isn't my father."
"I know."
"He's the reason Michael survived."
I nodded.
Marcus had told me.
Elena looked toward the hallway.
Then lowered her voice.
"There's something else you need to know."
My heart tightened.
"What?"
"Rafael has a recording."
I stared.
"Of what?"
"The night Michael disappeared."
I felt cold.
"Where?"
"Hidden."
"Can I see it?"
She hesitated.
Then nodded slowly.
"But Daniel, if you watch it, you may never look at your father the same way again."
I swallowed.
"My father is dead."
Elena's expression changed.
For a moment, she looked genuinely frightened.
May you like
Then she whispered:
"That's what Michael thought too."
