Chapter 11 - The Real Father
Elisa agreed to meet in a church parking lot after dark.
She climbed into my car without makeup, without jewelry, and without the confidence she wore at family dinners.
"How much do you understand?" she asked in German.
"Everything."
She closed her eyes.
"God."
"Why did Ingrid pick Sophia?"
Elisa looked toward the empty church.
"Because of Jonas."
Jonas Richter had spent two years building a wage-theft case against Vance Components.
If he became publicly entangled in a paternity fight involving Lukas, Ingrid believed she could discredit him before the case reached trial.
A scandalous affair.
Conflicting paternity claims.
Questions about his judgment.
"And if Lukas was declared legal father?" I asked.
"Mom gets the trust shares and Jonas gets humiliated."
Two problems solved with one baby.
My hands tightened around the steering wheel.
"How do you know?"
Elisa opened her purse and handed me a flash drive.
"Because Peter made me print the strategy memo."
"Why are you helping me now?"
She laughed once, bitterly.
"Because Mom told me if I kept asking questions, she'd cut me off too."
I almost told her that was not bravery.
Then I remembered how families train people to confuse survival with loyalty.
I took the drive.
Before Elisa left, she grabbed my wrist.
"There is one more thing."
"What?"
"Lukas didn't start seeing Sophia because he wanted her."
I looked at her.
"Mom sent him."
"He still slept with her."
"Yes."
"Then he's responsible."
Elisa nodded.
"I know."
My phone rang.
Jonas Richter.
I answered.
His first words were calm.
"Ms. Vance, I just received a legal notice claiming I am harassing a pregnant woman."
May you like
Then his voice sharpened.
"It was filed by your husband."
