Chapter 10 - THE NAME THEY ERASEDSamuel Ross.
The name opened another door.
A birth record.
A hospital.
A mother.
A father.
A hidden inheritance.
Everything pointed back to one night.
April 14.
Ethan's memory began returning.
The crash.
The hospital.
His father's voice.
A baby crying.
Amelia screaming.
Someone holding a gun.
Then Claire.
Standing outside the hospital.
Pregnant.
Ethan looked at her.
“You were pregnant.”
Claire nodded.
“I was.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Your mother told me you were dead.”
Ethan stared.
“You believed her?”
“I believed the woman who saved my life.”
Silence.
Amelia interrupted.
“She saved both of you.”
Claire looked at her.
“Both?”
Amelia nodded.
“You and the baby.”
Claire's face changed.
“My baby?”
Amelia looked toward the hallway.
“Your son.”
They found the teenager in a farmhouse.
He was sitting beside a fireplace.
Ethan entered.
The boy looked at him.
Neither moved.
Then the boy said:
“You're my father.”
Ethan's eyes filled.
“Yes.”
The boy stood.
“My mother said you would come.”
Ethan approached.
“I've been looking for you.”
The boy shook his head.
“You weren't looking for me.”
Ethan stopped.
“You were looking for your family.”
The words hurt.
But Ethan didn't argue.
“You're right.”
The boy looked surprised.
Ethan knelt.
“I don't know how to fix everything.”
The boy stared at him.
“But I can promise you one thing.”
“What?”
“I won't lie to you.”
The boy slowly nodded.
Then he hugged him.
Ethan closed his eyes.
For the first time in years, he felt the weight of his family name.
May you like
Not pride.
Responsibility.
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