Chapter 24 - THE HUSBAND BEFORE BRADLEY
Ethan did not deny meeting Samuel.
He waited until we returned home.
Then he placed his military identification, service records, and a sealed letter on the kitchen table.
“Samuel approached me after Daniel died.”
Daniel had been Ethan’s younger brother—the man our baby was named for.
Ethan once told me Daniel died during deployment.
That was true.
But not complete.
Daniel had been one of the early Carter Protocol children.
CP-17.
Samuel monitored him through military medical programs. When Daniel developed neurological symptoms, Ethan began asking questions.
Samuel offered answers in exchange for one assignment.
Meet Sarah Bennett.
Watch her.
Report whether she remembered Grace.
My mouth went dry.
“You came into my life because of him.”
“At first.”
“How long?”
“Six weeks.”
We had dated for nearly a year before Ethan deployed.
He had lied during the beginning.
Then stopped reporting.
Samuel retaliated by sending him into a compromised operation and arranging the medical treatment that erased Grace from his memory.
Ethan returned changed.
Our relationship collapsed.
Years later, Bradley entered my life.
“Did you know Bradley?” I asked.
“No.”
“Did you know I had been pregnant?”
“No.”
“Did you know Matthew existed?”
His eyes filled.
“No.”
I wanted to believe him.
That was not the same as trusting him.
Matthew left the kitchen.
Ethan followed, but I stopped him.
“Give him space.”
“He thinks I’m another man assigned to him.”
“So do I.”
The words hurt him.
I did not take them back.
Grace read Samuel’s sealed letter.
It was addressed to Ethan.
If you remain attached to Sarah, the protocol will correct both of you.
The threat proved Samuel viewed their relationship as a problem, not a plan.
But Ethan had still entered my life under false pretenses.
He moved out that evening.
Not because I demanded it.
Because he refused to make me choose while he remained inside the house.
Matthew went with him for three days, then returned.
“Are you angry at me?” I asked.
“No.”
“At Ethan?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want him gone?”
Matthew looked toward the guest room.
“I want one adult to tell me the truth before I discover it in a file.”
I had no defense.
Emily visited Grace at the hospital every day. Tiffany returned to her apartment with Hope. William’s clinic remained closed during the investigation.
Our family separated into pieces.
That was when Bradley called from prison.
I almost refused.
Then the recorded message said he had information about Ethan’s brother.
Bradley appeared behind reinforced glass.
He looked older, but his smile remained the same.
“Daniel Walker did not die overseas,” he said.
“Federal records confirmed it.”
“Federal records confirmed Dr. Vale was alive too.”
I stayed silent.
Bradley leaned closer.
“Daniel was transferred to CP-31 development.”
CP-31 was my unborn son’s original trial code.
Bradley smiled.
“Your baby was not named after a dead man.”
May you like
He lifted a photograph.
“He was named after the donor.”
