Chapter 2 - The Truth Behind the Exile
Ethan sank into a simple wooden chair at Rosa’s dining table, his head in his hands.
"He told me it was a temporary arrangement because of staffing issues," Ethan murmured.
"Mr. Daniel brought them to my house four weeks ago," Rosa said calmly, sitting across from him. "He dropped two suitcases on my porch and handed me a check for five hundred dollars. He told me if I didn't take care of them, he’d report me to immigration for harboring unregistered workers and make sure I never worked in Charlotte again."
Ethan’s eyes snapped open, blazing with sudden, dangerous fury. "He threatened you?"
"He didn't care about the children, Mr. Caldwell," Rosa continued. "He wanted them out of the house so he could host prospective investors for his own private business venture—a venture he’s funding using Caldwell Freight’s credit lines."
Ethan took a ragged breath. For months, he had trusted Daniel to manage domestic affairs while he focused on expanding the shipping empire to save the family business after Claire's passing. He thought he was building a legacy for Noah and Lily.
Instead, he had handed his children over to a predator in a tailored suit.
"Why didn't Noah want to see me?" Ethan asked, his voice breaking.
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"Because when Daniel dropped them off, he told Noah that you were the one who ordered them to be removed," Rosa revealed softly. "He told Noah that you were tired of dealing with a sad, anxious boy and that you were starting a new life overseas."
Ethan felt as if his heart had been ripped from his chest.
