Becky couldn't sleep that night. Her mind reeled with the mysterious man's words. Your father's been pulling strings. The man you thought you knew is someone you've never met. What could that mean? What was her father hiding?
Her room felt suffocating, and the shadows seemed to stretch and twist, feeding her growing anxiety. She paced the floor, replaying the encounter over and over in her mind.
Finally, she grabbed her phone and called her father. It went straight to voicemail. "Dad," she said, her voice trembling, "I need to talk to you. Call me back as soon as you can."
Her gaze drifted to the ultrasound picture still sitting on her desk. This wasn't just about her anymore. Her child deserved the truth, and she would get it no matter what.
The next morning, Becky resolved to confront her father in person. She asked the driver to take her to her father's estate. As the car rolled through the iron gates, she noticed a black sedan parked outside, eerily similar to the one the man from last night had driven.
Her father was in his study when she barged in. "We need to talk," she said, slamming the door behind her.
Her father looked up, surprised but not entirely shocked. "Becky, what's wrong?"
"What's wrong?" she repeated, her voice rising. "A man came to my door last night, saying I'm in danger because of you. What's going on, Dad?"
Her father's expression hardened. "You're exaggerating. Whoever this man was, he's lying."
Becky's temper flared. "Stop lying to me! I'm tired of secrets, Dad. First Ben, now you. I deserve to know the truth!"
Her father sighed heavily and stood. "You don't understand what you're asking, Becky. Some things are better left buried."
"I don't care!" she yelled, her voice cracking. "I'm pregnant, Dad. My child deserves to grow up without lies and manipulation. Tell me the truth, or I'll find it on my own."
The mention of her pregnancy made her father falter. He ran a hand through his graying hair and turned away, staring out the window. Finally, he spoke.
"There's a man named Daniel," he began, his voice low. "He's Ben's twin, and he's alive. But he's dangerous, Becky. That's why Ben and I agreed to keep his existence a secret. To protect you."
"Protect me?" Becky's voice was incredulous. "You're working with Ben now? After everything you've said about him?"
Her father turned back to face her, his eyes weary. "This isn't about Ben or me. It's about keeping you safe from Daniel. He's not who you think he is."
Becky's mind spun. She had heard enough about Daniel to know he was a shadow in Ben's past, but why was her father involved? And why was she suddenly in danger?
Before she could press further, the sound of glass shattering echoed through the house. Her father's expression darkened. "Stay here," he ordered, moving toward the door.
"Like hell I will," Becky muttered, following him.
In the living room, two men in dark suits stood by the broken window. One of them was the man from last night.
"You should have stayed quiet, old man," he said, his voice cold.
Her father's face was a mask of calm fury. "You don't belong here."
The man smirked. "I'm not here for you. I'm here for her." His eyes flicked to Becky.
Becky's heart pounded. "Me? What do you want from me?"
"You're leverage," the man said simply.
Her father stepped in front of her. "You'll have to get through me first."
The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Becky's mind raced. She needed to get out of there, but she wasn't about to leave her father behind.
Before anyone could make a move, the door burst open. Ben stormed in, his expression a mix of rage and determination.
"Get away from her," he commanded, his voice ice-cold.
The man laughed. "Ah, the prodigal son returns. How noble."
"I'm not playing games, Daniel," Ben said, his gaze locked on the man.
Becky's breath caught. Daniel?
The man's smirk widened. "So you've finally decided to face me, brother."
Becky's world tilted. This was Daniel? The brother Ben had claimed was dead? The man her father had warned her about?
"You have no idea what you've done, Daniel," Ben said, his voice low and dangerous. "You're putting her and the child at risk."
Daniel's eyes flicked to Becky, then back to Ben. "I didn't come here to hurt her. I came to make a deal."
"What kind of deal?" Becky demanded, finding her voice.
Daniel's expression softened slightly. "A deal to protect you and your child. But it means walking away from Ben."
Becky's head spun. Everything was happening too fast. She looked at Ben, whose icy façade had cracked to reveal genuine fear and desperation.
"Don't listen to him, Becky," Ben said. "He's lying. He's manipulating you."
Daniel held up his hands. "I've made mistakes, but I'm not lying. Ben's world is dangerous. If you stay with him, you'll never be safe."
"Enough!" Becky shouted, her voice trembling. "I don't know who to trust anymore. Both of you claim to want what's best for me, but all you do is lie and keep secrets."
Her father stepped forward, his voice firm. "Becky, listen to Ben. He may not be perfect, but he's the only one who can keep you safe."
Becky looked at the three men surrounding her...her father, Ben, and Daniel. Each one claimed to know what was best for her and her child. But she was tired of being a pawn in their games.
"I'm done," she said, her voice cold. "I'm done with all of you. I'll protect my child on my own."
As Becky turned to leave, Daniel spoke again, his tone laced with urgency.
"Becky, wait. There's something you don't know about your child."
She froze, her hand on the doorknob. "What are you talking about?"
Daniel hesitated, his usual confidence faltering. "That child isn't Ben's."
The room went silent, the air thick with shock.
"What?" Becky whispered, her voice barely audible.
"I don't know how it's possible," Daniel continued, "but I've done my research. The timelines don't match up. Ben can't be the father."
Becky's heart thundered in her chest. She turned to Ben, whose face had gone pale.
"Is this true?" she demanded.
Ben opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Before anyone could say more, the sound of police sirens filled the air. The room erupted into chaos as Daniel slipped out through the broken window, disappearing into the night.
Becky stood frozen, her world crumbling around her once again.
What had she just uncovered? And what would it mean for her future?