The Royal Contract

Chapter 657: Claiming a son

“Send him in once he arrives,” Ethan told her secretary as he closed his eyes for just a bit, leaning on his favorite chair.

He hardly had a good night’s sleep after what happened yesterday. He knew it was bound to happen and had prepared for it. But still, it had drained most of his strength by simply confessing all his sins.

Luckily, Laura stood by his side, supporting him through all of this. He recalled the time he told her about his son. She initially suggested looking for him. But he declined.

He had convinced himself that he was doing the right thing for his friends and his son by staying away and giving them the chance to start a family.

“No need to show me in. I am here at your service.” The man stood by the door, announcing his presence.

He continued to move forward inside and sat down on the chair he believed was reserved for him. He knew he did not need an invitation since his presence would always be welcome in this house.

He stared at his friend, who looked like he had aged drastically. He heard he had been sick, but he never had the chance to check on him. Still, he was glad that he was ok.

.....

“It is about time.” Ethan opened his eyes, recognizing his friend. He straightened a bit on his seat, focusing his attention on his guest. His secretary excused herself, leaving them alone to discuss their business in private.

“You can not blame me. I am halfway around the world on vacation, but I came as soon as I received your message.” He explained as he fixed his casual flowery shirt, replacing the usual black coat and white shirt he loved to wear.

“Fine. I am thankful that you are here now, Stockholm.” Ethan replied, shaking his head to clear his mind from drowsiness.

He had called for him yesterday as soon as his daughter and son-in-law had left the premises. He wanted to find his son before the two could uncover his identity.

If someone could determine his son’s whereabouts at the soonest possible time, it would be Detective Stockholm. He was still the best in this business. He had tried to use many investigators, but he still had to find someone as good as him.

“So, what is this all about?” The detective crossed his legs while leaning on his chair, making himself comfortable as he waited for his new assignment. “What is the emergency?”

He could see that this was important for his friend if he had to disturb him and rushed him back to his side. Under normal circumstances, he would not have bothered, but Mr. Hamilton was no ordinary client of his.

“I want you to find my son.” Ethan did not need any introduction to what he wanted. He required results.

He never believed in beating around the bush. If he wanted something done, he would make it happen. He would not wait for it to fall in his lap. He would look for it.

“Wait?” Suddenly, he leaned closer to him, unable to believe what he had just heard. “You have a son.” That was a piece of information he was not expecting. Or would ever expect to hear from him.

In all his years in this business, that was something he had never heard from the grapevine, not gossip nor a whisper. Therefore, hearing that it was a possibility and Ethan had kept it all this time was explosive news.

“Yes, you heard it right. I have a son I had never mentioned to anyone except my wife. But now, Dani and Alex knew about it.” Ethan began to explain to him.

After all, the detective needed all the information before starting his investigation. He needed him to find the woman he had impregnated when he was young. His friend that he had betrayed because of his wrong belief about love.

“Her mother’s name is Marietta Brown.” Remembering the name of the woman he believed he first loved.

He still thought of her quite fondly and his friend, Joaquin. If only he had met Laura during that time, he might have prevented that incident from happening.

But he was obsessed with the idea of loving her, that it should be him and not Joaquin, that he allowed it to cloud his judgment. At the moment, all he could do was regret and hopefully make amends for his sin.

“What else can you tell me about her and your son?” It would be easier if he could get as much information about the case. So it would be easier for him to find them.

However, he still could not get over that a man like him could be keeping such a big secret all these years. But he knew that this was not new. Families tend to have skeletons in their closets.

“I think he is now the one running the underground syndicate in the city.” He offered his guest a drink, taking a small amount for himself.

The doctors did say that he could drink just moderately. Today, he badly needed one. The more he thought of what his son could have ended up within his absence. The more he regretted not being part of his life.

“Hmmm!” Stockholm stared at him as he rummaged his brain for a sudden thought. “Are we talking about the rumored son of Joaquin Augustus?” He scratched his beard with his fingers, trying to piece the puzzle. “Is he your son?”

He had heard of it. A story like that had run for some time during his time, but it quickly died down, having no substantial proof to support the claim.

“Yes. If you have not heard, Joaquin and Marietta were my friends before we had a fallout. It was my fault when I got her pregnant.”

He wondered if Marietta told their son who his father was. Or if Joaquin admitted to him that he was not his father. Now, he could not help but think of what he would tell him once he was face to face with him.

What did he probably look like now? What could he be doing with his life? The real question he would like to ask was if he had followed Joaquin’s footsteps.

“Honestly, I am surprised that you knew them at all. I never heard that you were connected with Joaquin at all.” The detective could not believe he had known and investigated this man before, but he did not have a whiff of his connection to the gang.

“It was easier to erase all traces of my connection to them during that time compared to today.” He told him.

He just paid all the people involved and had burned the solid evidence. Then, distance himself from them. It was like he never knew them at all. It was what money could do.

He had heard about his death. He wanted to visit him, but he was afraid it would open old wounds and unleash their dark secret.

He knew his presence would not be welcome if he started unearthing the past, claiming a son he had not cared to look for in the past.

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