Chapter 71 THE Father Who Chose Wrong
Saturday Evening - 6:45 PM
Viviana's House
Christopher arrived exactly on time. Flowers in one hand, briefcase in the other.
Felicia opened the door. Smiled the way she'd practiced. "Christopher. Come in."
"You look beautiful." He handed her the flowers. "As always."
"You're sweet."
Viviana appeared from the kitchen. "Christopher! So glad you could join us. Dinner's almost ready."
They sat in the living room. Christopher set his briefcase beside his chair.
"I found some interesting information. About Thorne Empire."
Felicia leaned forward. "And?"
"They're struggling. More than anyone realizes." He pulled out a folder. "The Singapore deal Victoria was handling? Stalled completely. The new VP can't close it. They're asking for concessions Thorne already refused."
"How bad?" Viviana asked.
"Bad enough that Singapore is considering walking away entirely. That's a forty-million-dollar contract."
"What else?"
"Morrison Global. Alexander had them ready to sign. Now they're months behind schedule. The replacement director keeps missing deadlines." Christopher flipped through papers. "And there are others. Smaller deals. All delayed. All because the people who knew how to handle them are gone."
Felicia took the folder. Scanned it. "This is—"
"Damaging. If it became public knowledge, investors would start questioning Thorne's stability."
Viviana smiled. Cold and satisfied. "How did you get this?"
"I have access to Sterling's files. We do business with most of these companies. They talk to us when deals fall through." He looked at Felicia. "I told you I'd help."
"You did. Thank you."
"Anything for you."
Viviana stood. "Let's eat. We can discuss this more over dinner."
In the dining room, Christopher talked while they ate. More details about Thorne's struggles. More evidence of chaos.
Felicia nodded in the right places. Touched his hand occasionally. Played the part.
"The real question is what to do with this information," Viviana said.
"What do you mean?" Christopher asked.
"Well, the Thornes are suffering because Alexander and Victoria left. But the public doesn't know why they left. They don't know about that woman. About her child."
"I'm not sure I follow—"
"If people knew the truth. That Alexander abandoned his family, his company, his responsibilities—all for some assistant with a questionable past. That might change how people see him."
Christopher frowned. "I don't know if that's—"
"She trapped him, you know." Felicia's voice was soft. Hurt. "Got pregnant and conveniently 'remembered' who the father was three years later. Right when it would be most profitable."
"The DNA test confirmed—"
"Tests can be questioned." Viviana sipped her wine. "Especially when the circumstances are suspicious. A poor girl. A one-night stand three years ago. Suddenly claiming the Thorne heir is her child's father."
"Are you saying the child isn't his?"
"I'm saying the optics are interesting. And if those optics became public—if people started asking questions about her credibility, her motives—"
"It would make Alexander look foolish," Felicia finished. "Like he was manipulated. Used."
Christopher set down his fork. "You want to go public with this."
"Not us, obviously. But information has a way of spreading. Photos. Stories. Questions about who this woman really is."
"That seems—"
"Like protecting the truth?" Viviana's smile was sharp. "The Thornes are destroying their own company over a woman who may or may not be telling the truth about that child. People deserve to know."
"I don't know—"
Felicia touched his hand. "You're right. We shouldn't involve you. You've already done so much. This is between our family and theirs."
"What are you going to do?"
"Just make sure people understand the full story. That's all."
Christopher looked uncomfortable but didn't argue.
They finished dinner. Moved back to the living room.
"We'd need photos," Viviana said quietly. "Of her. Of the child. Something that shows who they really are."
"I have some," Felicia said. "From the office. And there might be others—"
Neither of them noticed Marcus standing in the hallway.
He'd come home five minutes ago. Heard voices. Stopped to listen.
Now he stood frozen.
"We could reach out to a few bloggers," Viviana continued. "The ones who cover high society. Plant some questions. Let the story grow organically."
"What kind of questions?" Christopher asked.
"About her background. Her employment history. Why she hid the child for three years. Whether the DNA test was legitimate or if Thorne money influenced the results."
"That's—that's pretty aggressive."
"It's the truth. Or close enough to it."
Marcus's hands clenched.
"When?" Felicia asked.
"Soon. Before the Thornes reconcile with Alexander. Once this is public, once everyone knows what kind of woman she is—he'll have no choice but to distance himself."
"And if he doesn't?"
"Then he destroys his reputation along with hers. Either way, she loses."
Marcus backed away quietly. Grabbed his keys from the entry table.
Left the house without being noticed.
He sat in his car for a long moment.
Then started the engine.
He knew where Elena lived.
Had driven past her grandmother's house a dozen times over the years.
Never stopped. Never knocked.
Too ashamed. Too weak.
But this— He could do.
This one thing.
He could warn her.
Elena's House - 7:30 PM
Elena tucked Leo into bed. He was already half-asleep, exhausted from exploring Alexander's apartment.
"Dad's house is too big," he mumbled.
"I know, baby."
"I like our house better."
"Me too."
"Love you, Mama."
"Love you too."
She kissed his forehead. Left the door cracked.
In the living room, Alexander was making tea.
"He's out?"
"Completely. Today exhausted him."
"All that exploring."
"All those questions." She smiled. "The bathroom one was my favorite."
"Mine too."
A knock on the door.
Elena frowned. "It's late. Who—"
She looked through the peephole.
Her entire body went rigid.
"Who is it?" Alexander asked.
"My father."
He appeared beside her. "Want me to talk with him?"
"I—" She didn't know what she wanted.
Another knock. "Elena. Please. I need to talk to you."
Alexander touched her arm. "Your call."
She took a breath. Opened the door.
Marcus Moreno stood on her porch. Fifty-three. Graying hair. Tired eyes.
A stranger who used to be her father.
"What do you want?"
"Elena. Can I come in?"
"No."
"Elena, please—"
"Say what you need to say from there."
He glanced at Alexander. "Who's this?"
"None of your business."
"I'm Alexander," Alexander said quietly. "Leo's father."
Marcus's expression shifted. "I see."
"You don't see anything. You don't know anything about my life." Elena's voice was ice. "You lost that right three years ago."
"I know. I know I did. But I need to tell you—Viviana and Felicia are planning something. Against you."
"Of course they are."
"No, you don't understand. They have information. Photos. They're going to make you look bad publicly. Question Leo's paternity. Imply you trapped Alexander for money."
Elena's jaw tightened. "How do you know this?"
"I heard them. Tonight. Planning it with some man from Sterling & Associates."
Alexander stepped forward. "Sterling?"
"I don't know his first name. But yes, Sterling. He gave them information about Thorne Empire struggling. About deals falling through. They're going to use it. Make it look like Alexander destroyed his family's company for a woman who's lying about having his child."
"The DNA test confirmed—"
"I know. But they're going to plant doubt anyway. Get people asking questions. Destroy your reputation."
Elena stared at him. "And you came here to warn me."
"Yes."
"Why? You've never cared before."
"That's not true—"
"Isn't it? Where were you when Viviana kicked me out? When I was pregnant and alone and terrified?"
Marcus's face crumpled. "I was—"
"You were what? Too busy? Too controlled? Too weak to stand up to your wife?"
"Elena—"
"You chose her. Over and over. You chose her daughter over yours. Her comfort over my safety. Her opinion over my existence."
"I made mistakes—"
"Mistakes?" Her voice rose. "I called you. Do you remember? I called you from Mrs. Chen's apartment. Begging you to help. And you said you couldn't go against Viviana. That I'd made my choice and you'd made yours."
Alexander's hand found her back. Steadying her.
"I was scared—" Marcus started.
"I was pregnant! I was your daughter and I was pregnant and homeless and you did NOTHING!"
"I know—"
"You sent money. Twice. Like that made up for abandoning me. Like cash could replace a father who actually showed up."
Marcus's shoulders sagged. "You're right. About all of it."
"I don't need you to agree with me. I needed you three years ago. I needed you when I gave birth alone. When I was up all night with a screaming baby. When I didn't know how I'd pay for diapers."
"I'm sorry—"
"Sorry doesn't change anything. Sorry doesn't give Leo a grandfather. It doesn't undo you choosing your wife's daughter over your own child."
Silence fell.
Marcus wiped his eyes. "I can't fix what I did. Can't take back those years. But I can do this. I can warn you about what's coming."
"Why now? Guilt? Conscience? Or is Viviana finally going too far even for you?"
"All of it. Maybe. I don't know." He looked at her directly. "But you're my daughter. And that boy in there is my grandson. And I won't let them destroy you without fighting back. Even if it's the only thing I ever do right."
Elena's eyes burned. "You don't get to be the hero now. You don't get to show up with a warning and expect forgiveness."
"I'm not expecting forgiveness."
"Good. Because you'll never have it."
The words hung between them.
Marcus nodded slowly. "Okay. But you needed to know. They're planning to go public next week. Blogs, social media, maybe tabloids. Whatever gets people talking."
"We'll handle it."
"If you need—"
"I don't need anything from you. Not anymore."
"Elena—"
"Leave. Now."
He hesitated. Then stepped back.
"I'm proud of you. Of the mother you became. The life you built."
"It's worth nothing." Her voice cracked. "You weren't there to see any of it."
Marcus nodded. Turned to go.
Paused at the stairs.
"If they come after you. If you need someone to testify about Viviana, about what she did—I'll do it. I'll tell the truth."
"Why should I believe you?"
"Because I'm tired of being a coward. And if standing up to her costs me everything—" He looked back. "It's less than what I've already lost."
He left.
Elena stood in the doorway until his car disappeared.
Then she closed the door.
Locked it.
Turned to find Alexander watching her.
"I'm okay," she said.
"You're shaking."
"I'm furious."
"That's fair."
She moved to the couch. Sat. Pressed her hands to her face.
"He thinks one warning makes up for three years of nothing."
Alexander sat beside her. "He's wrong."
"He chose her. Every single time. And now he wants credit for doing the bare minimum."
"Do you believe him? About Viviana and Felicia?"
"Yes. They've wanted revenge since the dinner. This sounds exactly like something they'd do."
"So what do we do?"
Elena lowered her hands. "We prepare. Make sure the truth is clear. We protect Leo."
"And your father?"
"Is not my father anymore. He's just the man who was supposed to be." Her jaw set. "I'll use his information. But I won't forgive him. Won't let him back in. Won't give him the absolution he's looking for."
"Okay."
"Is that terrible?"
"No. It's human." Alexander pulled her close. "You don't owe him forgiveness. Especially not after what he did."
She leaned against him. "When does it stop hurting? Being abandoned by the people who should love you most?"
"I don't know. Maybe never."
"That's not comforting."
"I know."
They sat in the quiet house.
Leo sleeping down the hall. Unaware of the storm gathering.
Unaware that his mother's family was trying to destroy her.
That his grandfather had finally shown up—too late, too weak, too useless.
"We need a plan," Elena said finally. "For when they go public. For when people start asking questions."
"We will. Tomorrow. Tonight—" Alexander kissed her temple. "Tonight we just breathe."
"Breathing sounds good."
"It's underrated."
Despite everything, she almost smiled.
They stayed on the couch. Holding each other.
While outside, Marcus drove away with the weight of three years of cowardice on his shoulders.
And across town, Viviana and Felicia finalized their plan.
And in a mansion on the hill, Catherine Thorne sat alone, wondering how to fix what pride had broken.
And at Thorne Empire, Richard worked late, refusing to admit he might be wrong.
And Victoria prepared to meet her daughter, terrified and hopeful.
The pieces moving. Converging.
Toward something that would change everything.
Or destroy it completely.
Either way, there was no going back.
Only forward.
Into whatever came next.
Together.
Or not at all.