Day Seventy-One...
~~*****~~
[ 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," 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.