Day Seventy-One…
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[ At Vincent's Villa… ]
Monica, Ethan, and Mia arrived at the mansion, where Vincent had been patiently awaiting their arrival in his luxurious study.
Upon their arrival, Monica turned to Mia with a request, "Mia, would you mind lending a hand to our Chef in preparing some snacks for our guest?" This was her way of separating the two children, as she and Vincent had matters to discuss privately with Ethan.
"Of course, Aunt," Mia replied obediently, eager to assist and genuinely excited to prepare a special snack for Ethan. It was, after all, his first visit to their home.
As soon as Mia left to assist in the kitchen, Monica turned her attention to Ethan. She spoke softly, her voice carrying an air of reassurance, "Your guards and nanny can make themselves comfortable here in the living room. But you and I should head upstairs to meet Mia's Uncle."
Ethan nodded in agreement, his gaze wandering appreciatively around the lavish surroundings of the mansion.
In a short while, Monica guided Ethan up the grand staircase, leading him to Vincent's stately study. Upon entering the room, they found Vincent seated leisurely on a plush sofa, engrossed in his reading. His face lit up with a warm and welcoming smile as soon as he noticed Ethan standing beside Monica.
"Ethan, you've made it!" Vincent exclaimed joyfully, setting aside his book and crossing the room with eager steps. As he reached the young boy, he enveloped him in a warm and heartfelt hug, his embrace radiating a sense of familiarity and genuine affection.
Ethan experienced a moment of discomfort as Vincent's arms closed around him in a sudden and unfamiliar embrace. It wasn't a sensation he was accustomed to, and he gently but firmly pushed Vincent away, creating a bit of space between them.
"I'm here because Miss Carlsen mentioned something crucial," Ethan began, explaining the reason for his presence in the mansion. His tone was measured, and his eyes were fixed on Vincent. "She said there's something important to discuss regarding my mother and my parents." Ethan's guarded demeanor revealed his determination to get to the bottom of the matter while maintaining a cautious distance.
Vincent and Monica exchanged significant glances, a silent understanding passing between them. It was at this precise moment that their strategic plan fell into place, a meticulously crafted precautionary measure put into action well before Jane could unveil the truth to the world that Monica was indeed alive.
They knew Ethan's important role in their schemes. They were the ones who sent him to the Sparks so that they could use him when the right time came.
Vincent courteously gestured for Ethan to take a seat, and they settled on sofas positioned across from each other. With a solemn and earnest expression, Vincent embarked on the conversation, emphasizing its gravity.
"Ethan, what we're about to share with you is of the utmost importance, and I hope you can handle the truth," Vincent began, his tone laced with seriousness as he looked directly into Ethan's eyes.
Ethan's patience was wearing thin, and he had little appetite for unnecessary suspense. His response was direct and to the point. "Please, don't beat around the bush. Just tell me everything."
"Why don't you go ahead and tell him?" Monica's supportive stance indicated that she believed Vincent should be the one to deliver the revelation.
Vincent simply nodded his head before shifting his gaze back to Ethan. He cleared his throat, the weight of the revelation evident in his expression as he began to unravel the first layer of truth for Ethan.
"Ethan," he began, his voice steady but filled with gravity, "the initial truth you need to understand is that the woman you believed to be your biological mother, the one who passed away, is not, in fact, your birth mother. Your biological mother is very much alive."
The words hung in the air, heavy with the magnitude of their meaning, as Ethan processed this startling revelation. Ethan's disbelief was evident as he struggled to process the staggering revelation. His eyes widened, and his voice quivered with shock as he sought confirmation.
"My biological mother is alive?" he repeated, the words escaping his lips with a mixture of astonishment and uncertainty. It was a moment that shook the very foundation of his understanding of his own life and family.
Vincent continued to divulge the intricate web of deception that had entangled Ethan's life. His voice carried a mix of sympathy and indignation as he unveiled the grim truth.
"Yes, Ethan," he affirmed solemnly. "Your mother is indeed alive. The woman who passed away, the one you believed to be your real mother, is the very reason behind your separation from your true birth mother. She not only took you away but also assumed your mother's identity, using it to get close to Nathan Sparks. Her actions were driven by a disturbing obsession and a consuming love for him." Vincent's words painted a picture of betrayal and manipulation that was difficult for Ethan to fathom.
Ethan's skepticism was entirely understandable in the face of such a shocking revelation. He leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Vincent, his voice trembling with a mixture of confusion and doubt.
"What evidence do you have? How can I trust what you're saying?" Ethan inquired, his words laced with a need for concrete proof to support this earth-shattering revelation.
Vincent, in response to Ethan's doubts, offered a reassuring smile, exuding a sense of sincerity and compassion. He spoke with a calm resolve, aiming to quell Ethan's uncertainty.
"You can believe me because I know your real parents," Vincent affirmed with a steady tone. "Nathan is not your biological father," he added.
With measured movements, Vincent rose from his seat and drew closer to Ethan. He knelt down to meet Ethan at eye level, ensuring an intimate connection as he unveiled the ultimate truth.
His voice was filled with paternal tenderness as he disclosed the revelation that would forever alter Ethan's perception of his family.
"Ethan," he said softly, "the truth is... I am your father. And your mother is here. She's your real mother." The profound revelation settled over them like a profound, life-altering realization.
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