The Robber Didn't Know the Boy Was His Son
CHAPTER 2 - The Letters His Mother Buried
Ethan forced the other robbers to continue without harming Sarah or Oliver.
His mind was no longer on the money.
Nine years earlier, Ethan had planned to marry Sarah.
Then his mother, Diane Cole, became involved.
Diane came from a wealthy family and believed Sarah was too poor and uneducated for her son. When Ethan accepted a year-long construction contract overseas, Diane promised to help Sarah while he was gone.
Two weeks later, Sarah learned she was pregnant.
She wrote to Ethan repeatedly.
Every letter was returned.
Then Diane visited her.
"Ethan is engaged to someone else," she said. "He wants nothing to do with you or the baby."
Sarah refused to believe her.
Diane showed her a letter carrying Ethan's signature. It said their relationship had been a mistake.
The signature was forged.
Diane offered Sarah money to leave the city.
Sarah rejected it.
Soon afterward, she lost her apartment when the building owner suddenly canceled her lease. She moved in with an elderly aunt and raised Oliver alone.
Meanwhile, Ethan received letters supposedly written by Sarah.
They claimed she had met another man and never wanted to see him again.
He returned home heartbroken.
Years later, he married Grace, a kind schoolteacher who knew Sarah had been his first love but never knew Sarah had been pregnant.
Their daughter Lily was born with a serious heart defect.
Now Ethan looked at Oliver across the bank lobby.
"Did my mother know about you?"
Sarah nodded.
"She held you once."
The answer shattered him.
Diane had met newborn Oliver in the hospital. Sarah begged her to tell Ethan the truth.
Instead, Diane threatened to use her money and lawyers to take the baby if Sarah contacted him again.
Oliver watched his father's expression.
"You really didn't know?"
"No," Ethan whispered. "I swear to you."
The other robbers began emptying the cash drawers. Ethan had joined them only because the leader, Victor, promised there would be no violence.
Ethan's weapon was unloaded.
Victor's was not.
Police surrounded the building and ordered the robbers to surrender.
Victor seized Sarah and dragged her toward the vault corridor.
"We need hostages."
Ethan raised his weapon.
"Let her go."
Victor laughed.
"You need this money for Lily. Don't become honorable now."
Oliver heard the name.
"Who is Lily?"
Ethan looked at the son he had just discovered.
"She's my daughter. She's very sick."
"My sister?"
The simple question broke through Ethan's remaining defenses.
He had entered the bank believing he had only one child to save.
Now his unknown son was trapped inside because of him.
Victor tightened his hold on Sarah.
"Choose, Ethan. The money for your daughter or the woman who hid your son."
Ethan removed his mask.
Sarah saw the grief and shame on his face.
"Sarah did not hide him," Ethan said. "My mother hid the truth from both of us."
He lowered his weapon to the floor.
Then he looked at Victor.
"I came here for Lily, but I will not save one child by destroying the other."
