Chapter 2 - The Ghost in the Driveway
The after-party was at our cramped apartment above the auto shop. It smelled like motor oil and cheap pepperoni pizza, but to us, it was a palace. The girls were laughing, showing off their diplomas to my coworkers and our neighbors.
I walked downstairs to take out the trash, wiping a stray tear of joy from my cheek.
When I pushed open the alley door, a sleek, black Mercedes Maybach was idling in my driveway.
A man stepped out. He had silver hair at his temples, an expensive tan, and a gold watch that cost more than the auto shop I worked in. But beneath the wealth, I recognized the jawline. I recognized the eyes.
It was Liam. My brother.
The man who had left three babies on my porch and vanished into the night.
"Hello, Elias," Liam said smoothly, buttoning his suit jacket. "It’s been a while."
I dropped the trash bags. My blood turned to ice, and then immediately boiled into pure, primal rage. "Get out of here," I growled, taking a step toward him. "Get back in that car and drive away before I kill you."
Liam held up his hands defensively, though he smirked. "Calm down, little brother. I saw the ceremony. It was beautiful. Very touching. You did a great job babysitting."
Babysitting. The word made me see red. I lunged at him, grabbing him by his expensive lapels and slamming him against the side of the Maybach.
"You don't get to come here," I hissed, my forearm pressed against his throat. "You are a ghost. You died twenty-three years ago."
"I was broken!" Liam choked out. "But I rebuilt myself. I own a real estate empire in California now, Elias. I'm a millionaire ten times over. And I’ve come to make things right. I want to meet my daughters."
May you like
"They aren't your daughters," I said, shoving him away. "They're mine."
"We'll see about that," Liam straightened his jacket. He reached into his pocket, pulled out an envelope, and tossed it onto the hood of his car. "There’s a cashier's check in there for one million dollars. Back pay, Elias. Take it, and let me talk to them. Or I’ll make your life a living hell."
