"I never asked to be."
"Of course not. You never had to ask for anything. You simply stood there and let him give you everything."
Edward's voice suddenly became firm.
"Enough."
Both children turned toward him.
"Your sister did not steal anything from you. She did not take your opportunities. She did not make your decisions. If you are unhappy with your life, do not blame her."
Daniel's eyes filled with anger.
"You don't understand."
"Then explain it."
Daniel opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Finally, he grabbed the folder and left.
The front door slammed so loudly that Emily flinched.
Edward slowly sat down.
He felt older than he had that morning.
Emily knelt beside his chair.
"Dad, we need to find out what he is doing."
Edward nodded.
"I know."
He looked toward the hallway.
"But there is something else. Something your mother left behind."
Emily frowned.
"What?"
Edward walked toward his study.
He opened a locked drawer and removed the old envelope.
It was yellow with age.
Margaret's handwriting was still visible on the front.
TO MY HUSBAND, WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT.
Edward held it for a moment.
His fingers trembled.
Then he handed it to Emily.
"I think it is time."
Emily opened the envelope carefully.
Inside was a letter, several old photographs, and a folded document.
She began reading.
At first, her expression was calm.
Then her eyes widened.
She read the first paragraph again.
"Dad..."
Edward looked at her.
"What is it?"
Emily's voice trembled.
"Why did Mom write this?"
Edward reached for the paper.
But Emily held it closer.
"She says that someone has been hiding the truth about our family."
Edward closed his eyes.
He already feared what was coming.
Emily continued reading.
"She says that before Daniel was born, you made a promise to another woman."
Edward slowly lowered himself into the chair.
"I know."
Emily looked at him.
"You know?"
"There are things I should have explained a long time ago."
"Then explain them now."
Edward took a deep breath.
"Before I met your mother, I was engaged to someone named Anna. We were young. We believed we would spend our lives together."
Emily listened silently.
"But I was poor, ambitious, and frightened of failing. I left town to find work. When I returned, Anna was gone."
Edward paused.
"I eventually learned that she had moved away. I thought our story had ended."
"And what happened next?"
"I met your mother. She knew about Anna. I told her everything before we married."
Emily looked at the letter.
"But Mom says there was a child."
Edward's face changed.
The room became painfully silent.
"A child?" he whispered.
Emily nodded.
"She says Anna had a son."
Edward stared at the paper.
He had never known.
Or at least, he had never believed it.
Emily continued reading.
"Mom says she discovered the truth many years later. She says she wanted to tell you, but someone convinced her to wait."
Edward felt his heart beating faster.
"Who?"
Emily turned the page.
Before she could read the next sentence, a loud noise came from the hallway.
Someone had entered the house.
Edward looked toward the door.
"Who is there?"
No answer.
Emily quickly folded the letter.
Then Daniel appeared.
He stood in the doorway, staring at the envelope in his sister's hands.
His expression changed immediately.
"Where did you get that?"
Edward stood up.
"Daniel, you have no right to enter my study without permission."
Daniel ignored him.
"Give me the letter."
Emily stepped backward.
"Why do you want it?"
Daniel moved closer.
"Because you don't understand what you're reading."
"Then explain it."
Daniel's eyes moved toward Edward.
"Father, you promised this would never come out."
Edward became pale.
"What are you talking about?"
Daniel laughed nervously.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about."
Emily looked between them.
"Both of you, stop hiding things from me!"
Daniel reached toward the letter.
Edward stepped between them.
"Don't touch her."
For several seconds, father and son stared at each other.
Then Daniel spoke in a voice that sounded almost defeated.
"You want the truth? Fine."
He looked at Emily.
"The reason I have been trying to secure control of the estate is not simply because of the money."
Emily frowned.
"Then what is it?"
Daniel swallowed.
"Because if that letter becomes public, everything our family has built could disappear."
Edward shook his head.
"You are lying."
Daniel's eyes became wet.
"I wish I were."
Suddenly, a woman's voice came from the hallway.
"Daniel, stop."
Everyone turned.
Victoria stood near the entrance.
Her face was pale.
She had apparently heard the entire conversation.
Daniel looked at her.
"What are you doing here?"
Victoria stepped into the room.
"I came because I couldn't keep this secret anymore."
Daniel shook his head.
"You don't know what you're saying."
Victoria looked directly at Edward.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Harrison."
Edward stared at her.
"For what?"
She began crying.
"For allowing this to continue."
Emily held the letter tightly.
"What secret?"
Victoria took a deep breath.
"The woman named Anna did not simply disappear. She came back many years later."
Edward felt his knees weaken.
"When?"
Victoria looked down.
"Before Margaret died."
Edward stared at her.
"What?"