Chapter 13 - Ethan’s Hidden Message
Richard returned to the hospital immediately.
The entire medical floor was secured.
No reporters.
No visitors.
Nobody allowed inside without approval.
Ethan was awake.
His eyes followed his father.
“Dad.”
Richard rushed beside him.
“I’m here.”
Ethan looked weak.
But different.
More aware.
The doctors stood nearby.
“We don’t understand what happened.”
Richard looked at his son.
“What did you write?”
The doctor handed him a piece of paper.
Richard stared.
The handwriting was messy.
Uneven.
But readable.
Three words.
“Trust Lily.”
Richard looked at the little girl standing near the door.
Lily covered her mouth.
She started crying.
“Why would he write that?”
Richard asked.
The doctor shook his head.
“We don’t know.”
Ethan slowly lifted his hand.
Everyone froze.
Because nobody had seen him move like that in years.
He pointed toward Lily.
Then toward the paper.
Richard leaned closer.
“Ethan?”
The boy struggled.
His voice was weak.
But clear.
“Dad…”
“I saw him.”
Richard’s expression changed.
“Saw who?”
Ethan looked terrified.
“The doctor.”
Richard felt cold.
“Michael?”
Ethan nodded.
“He changed things.”
The room became silent.
A child who could barely move had just confirmed everything.
Then the hospital doors opened.
Police officers entered.
A detective approached Richard.
“Mr. Harrison.”
“We need to talk.”
Richard turned.
“About what?”
The detective looked uncomfortable.
“Michael Grant has disappeared.”
Richard already knew.
But then the detective continued.
“And we found evidence connecting him to another crime.”
“What crime?”
The detective looked at Lily.
“Your daughter’s brother’s death.”
Lily froze.
Richard looked at her.
“My daughter?”
Nobody spoke.
The detective realized his mistake.
“I’m sorry.”
“What did you mean?”
The detective opened a file.
“We found documents showing Lily Carter was legally connected to the Harrison family.”
Richard’s heart stopped.
“What?”
The detective placed the file on the table.
Richard opened it.
The first page contained one sentence.
Birth records confirmed.
May you like
Lily was not a stranger.
She was family.
