And he needed to see whether Edward's words would become actions.
CHAPTER 2: A CHILDHOOD WITHOUT A FATHER
That night, Michael stayed at the mansion.
Edward insisted that he take the guest room closest to the garden.
"It has the best view," Edward explained.
Michael smiled.
"Thank you."
After everyone had gone to bed, Michael found himself unable to sleep.
He walked downstairs and entered the library.
The room was enormous, with wooden shelves reaching almost to the ceiling. Thousands of books were arranged carefully by subject.
Michael ran his fingers along their spines.
He wondered how many evenings Edward had spent here.
He wondered whether his father had ever sat in this room thinking about the family he had never known.
Then he noticed a small framed photograph on the desk.
It showed Edward standing beside Margaret.
Michael picked it up.
His mother's face appeared in the photograph beside the older woman.
He recognized Margaret immediately.
He had seen her in several old photographs Anna kept hidden in a box.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps.
Edward stood in the doorway.
"Couldn't sleep?"
Michael shook his head.
"Not really."
Edward walked into the library.
"Neither could I."
They stood quietly for a moment.
Then Edward pointed toward the photograph.
"Your mother and Margaret were very close."
Michael looked surprised.
"My mother told me they had met, but she never explained how close they became."
Edward sat down.
"They became friends in a way I never fully understood."
He smiled sadly.
"Anna once came to our house when Margaret was having a difficult time. She stayed for several hours, helped prepare dinner, and talked with her about life."
Michael looked at him.
"Did they know about each other?"
Edward nodded.
"Yes. Margaret knew about Anna's past. Anna knew about Margaret's marriage. But neither woman wanted to hurt the other."
Michael looked at the photograph.
"My mother never spoke badly about Margaret."
"Margaret never spoke badly about Anna either."
Edward looked toward the window.
"Sometimes I wonder whether the two women understood something that I didn't. They both knew that life was complicated, but they refused to allow bitterness to control them."
Michael sat across from him.
"Can I tell you something about my mother?"
"Please."
"When I was seventeen, I got into trouble at school. I had an argument with another student. I was angry because he made a joke about not having a father."
Edward listened carefully.
"I came home and told my mother that I hated the life we had. I told her I wanted a normal family. I told her I wanted someone who would come to my school meetings and stand beside me when I graduated."
Michael stopped.
"She didn't argue. She simply sat beside me and cried."
Edward lowered his head.
"The next morning, she made my favorite breakfast and told me something I never forgot."
Michael smiled faintly.
"She said, 'Michael, never let the absence of one person make you blind to the love of everyone else who stayed.'"
Edward wiped his eyes.
"She was right."
"Yes. She was."
Michael looked around the library.
"I don't need you to become the father I imagined when I was a child. I know that cannot happen anymore."
Edward nodded.
"But I would like to know you now."
Edward reached across the table.
"Then we will start now."
For the first time that evening, Michael smiled without sadness.
CHAPTER 3: THE SECOND SECRET
The following morning, Edward called Robert Miller.
He asked his longtime financial director to come to the mansion immediately.
Robert arrived carrying a large briefcase.
"Mr. Harrison, you asked to see me?"
Edward nodded.
"Please sit down."
Robert noticed Michael.
He looked confused.
"Who is this gentleman?"
Edward smiled gently.
"This is Michael. My son."
Robert froze.
For a moment, he simply stared.
Then he looked at Edward.
"Your son?"
Edward nodded.
"I know this is unexpected. But there is a reason I need you to meet him."
He placed Margaret's documents on the table.
"Robert, I need you to examine these records. Especially the transactions from fifteen years ago."
Robert opened the folder.
His expression changed immediately.
"Where did you find these?"
"In Margaret's garden."
Robert looked at him carefully.
"Then she discovered it."
Edward leaned forward.
"Discovered what?"
Robert hesitated.
"Sir, I need to explain something."
Edward's eyes narrowed.
"Go ahead."
Robert opened another section of his briefcase and removed several old reports.
"Fifteen years ago, there was an internal investigation involving the company. We discovered that several employees had been transferring money into private accounts through fake consulting agreements."
Edward stared at him.
"Why wasn't I informed?"
Robert looked uncomfortable.
"I tried to tell you, but your wife asked me to wait."
Edward was stunned.
"Margaret?"
Robert nodded.
"She believed the situation could be resolved privately. She wanted to protect the family before the investigation became public."
Edward felt his heart tighten.
"What happened?"
Robert took a deep breath.
"Your wife discovered that Daniel had been introduced to several investors who were using him to gain access to company funds."
Edward looked toward Michael.
Then back at Robert.
"Are you telling me this started fifteen years ago?"
"Yes."
Edward slowly closed his eyes.
"Why didn't you stop it?"
Robert looked down.