Chapter 17 - Ethan’s Father
Ethan’s biological father was named Daniel Mercer.
And according to records, he had paid child support for six years.
Valentina told him Ethan lived with her in Italy.
She told Ethan his father abandoned him.
Daniel arrived with an attorney and photographs.
Baby Ethan.
Toddler Ethan.
Birthday cards returned unopened.
Money transfers.
Emails from Valentina saying contact would “confuse the child.”
The child advocate said, “He thinks you left.”
Daniel looked like he had been struck.
I understood that kind of theft.
Ethan was introduced slowly.
Daniel sat across from him with a box of old cards.
Ethan asked, “Are you my dad?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you come?”
“I tried.”
Ethan looked at the advocate.
Then at me.
Then back at Daniel.
“My mom lies.”
Daniel’s eyes filled.
“Sometimes.”
Ethan did not hug him.
Not that day.
He asked if Daniel liked baseball.
Daniel said yes.
Loving Ethan did not mean owning him.
That distinction mattered.
Valentina’s sentencing came before Marcus’s.
She received prison time for the fraud conspiracy, forged documents, child-related scheme, and her participation in the broader plan.
Her cooperation reduced the sentence.
It did not erase it.
At sentencing, she asked to speak.
She apologized to me.
Then to Ruby.
Then to Ethan.
Her voice broke on his name.
I believed she was sorry.
I also believed sorry arrived after damage.
She surrendered her claim to the Falcone marital estate and agreed that traced fraud proceeds would go to restitution.
After court, Daniel asked me a question.
“Do you want me to take Ethan immediately?”
“No.”
He looked surprised.
“I want him to know you. I want him safe. I don’t want another adult deciding his whole life in one afternoon.”
Daniel nodded.
“Thank you.”
That night, Ethan sat beside Ruby at dinner.
Ruby pushed a bread roll onto his plate.
“You stay tomorrow?”
He looked at me.
“For now,” I said.
He smiled.
Then Luca arrived with a sealed envelope.
“Domenico, this came from Isabella’s attorney.”
“What is it?”
“A codicil to her trust.”
I opened it.
May you like
The first line mentioned Ethan by name.
Isabella had written it before Ethan was even born.
