Married to my Ex's Billionaire Father のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 71 - チャプター 80

Rachel wiped her face.“Celeste was the only person who eventually believed me.”My stomach tightened.“What happened when Ethan was eight?”Rachel looked at him.“You came to my apartment.”Ethan’s expression hardened.“With Charles?”“No.”“Celeste?”“Yes.”“Why?”“She wanted us to spend time together.”“You and me?”“Yes.”“Did I know who you were?”“No.”“What did you tell me?”“That I was an old friend of your father.”Ethan stared at her.“Did I like you?”Rachel smiled through tears.“You asked too many questions.”Despite everything, Ethan’s mouth twitched.“That sounds right.”“You wanted to know why I had a picture of you as a baby.”His smile disappeared.“What did you say?”“I told you Damon had given it to me.”“Had he?”“No.”Rachel looked down.“You started asking questions about Celeste.”“And?”“I told you I knew her.”Ethan frowned.“Then you told me I was your aunt.”Rachel nodded.“Aunt Rachel.”“So that’s where that came from.”“Yes.”Ethan rubbed his face.“What

Damon hung up.Just like that.I stared at my phone.“Damon?”Nothing.The call had ended.Ethan immediately took out his phone.“What are you doing?”“Calling him.”“He’s probably calling Celeste.”“Exactly.”Rachel stood.“I should go.”Ethan looked at her.“No.”“I’ve told you enough.”“You’ve told me pieces.”“I told you what I know.”“And every ten minutes, something else appears.”Rachel looked exhausted.“I’m sorry.”“I’m beginning to hate that phrase.”Her face crumpled.Ethan saw it.His expression softened slightly.Barely.But enough.He sat again.“Did you love him?”Rachel blinked.“Who?”“Dad.”Silence.I had not expected that question.Neither had Rachel.“We were sixteen.”“That doesn’t answer me.”She smiled sadly.“Yes.”Damon’s first love.Perhaps.Ethan nodded.“Did he love you?”Rachel looked down.“I think he did.”Something about the answer made my stomach twist.Not jealousy.At least I refused to call it jealousy.The woman had been seventeen.Twenty-eight yea

Ethan spoke.“Is that the big secret?”Rachel looked at Celeste.Celeste looked at Rachel.There.Again.“No,” Ethan said.Both women froze.He laughed without humor.“There’s more.”Celeste closed her eyes.“Mom.”“I’m sorry.”“What else?”Damon turned.“Celeste.”She looked at him.“You might want to sit down.”His expression hardened.“I’m fine.”“Please.”“No.”She swallowed.“Fine.”Then she looked at Ethan.“I need you to understand something first.”“Stop preparing me and say it.”Celeste nodded.“When you were eight and Charles prepared the guardianship petition, he needed evidence against Damon.”“We know.”“He had the work records. Travel schedules. Statements from staff.”Damon’s jaw tightened.“But none of it was enough.”“Why?”“Because Damon had never abandoned you.”Silence.“He always provided for you. He came home. He attended school meetings when he was in town. There was no abuse. No neglect serious enough to remove you.”Damon looked confused.“Then what was the pe

“Yes.”“How old is she exactly?”“Twenty-six.”“When is her birthday?”“October seventeenth.”Ethan nodded slowly, as though storing every piece.“Where does she live?”“Chicago.”“What does she do?”Rachel hesitated.“She’s a pediatric nurse.”Ethan smiled.A tiny, involuntary smile.“A nurse?”“Yes.”“She likes children?”“Loves them.”“Is she married?”“No.”“Kids?”“No.”“Does she look like me?”Rachel’s face broke.“A little.”Ethan looked away.I wanted to hug him.This was too much for one day.He had arrived expecting answers about his mother.Instead, he had acquired a sister-cousin.Bennett family tree indeed.Damon finally spoke.“Does Arthur know where she is?”“No.”“Does he know her name?”“No.”“Has he ever met her?”“No.”Damon’s jaw tightened.“Does he know she exists?”Rachel looked at him.“Yes.”“Then why has he never looked for her?”“I don’t know.”Damon laughed bitterly.“I do.”“Dad.”Ethan’s voice stopped him.Damon looked at his son.“Don’t.”“What?”“Don’t d

Nobody in the room moved.Arthur still held the phone.Rachel stood beside him, one hand trembling.Ethan watched her closely.Damon had gone completely still.Then Lily spoke again.“Are you still there?”Arthur swallowed.“Yes. I’m here.”“I’m sorry. This is strange.”“No. Please don’t apologize.”“I wasn’t sure whether I should call.”“How did you get my number?”A pause.“My mother gave it to me.”Rachel’s eyes widened.Arthur looked directly at her.“Your mother?”“Yes. My mom, Susan.”Rachel sat down.Her sister had told her.Arthur looked shaken.“What did Susan tell you?”“That she adopted me.”Silence.“And?”“That my biological mother is her sister.”Rachel covered her face.Ethan moved toward her, then sat beside her.He said nothing.He simply stayed.Arthur tightened his grip on the phone.“Did she tell you Rachel’s name?”“Yes.”“And me?”“She told me your name yesterday.”Arthur closed his eyes.“Why now?”“I asked.”“Why?”Lily h