The Mystery of Chad Harris: Fate Delivers Us, Chapter 35
 
 

" The Russell Family to see Julian Crane.", TC said to the maid.

TC stood at the door, steely in his eyes, so cold, scaring the maid, who didn’t know what to do, until Pilar came to the door. " Sally, what is…. Why TC, Sam? What are you all doing here?"

" We’re here to see Julian.", TC replied.

" Come in.", Pilar motioned. " Follow me." Pilar entered the Crane living room, where they were all assembled: Julian – reading the paper, Ivy – looking through society invitations over morning coffee, Ethan and Gwen with Sheridan – looking over the final plans for the wedding.

" Mr. Crane, you have guests."

Julian looked up to see TC’s cold eyes, full of fury, trained upon him. He paled and swallowed hard. Then, he looked at the rest of the group standing on the edge of the living room.

" What the hell is going on here? Why are you people here?"

Before TC could take the step forward, towards Julian, Sam put his arm out to hold him back, and Eve stepped away from the group, in the direction of the library.

" Julian, I need to talk to you.", she said in a soft, but, determined voice.

Julian looked at his former lover. He could tell by her appearance that whatever had brought her here was serious, and that he was in the middle of it.

" Well, why don’t we take it to the library?", he said, as she already walked in that direction.

Once Julian and Eve were out of the living room, there was a deep awkward silence until Ivy spoke up. " Pilar, why don’t we see if our guests need anything?"

While Pilar went over to the guests, Ivy made her way over to Gwen, Ethan and Sheridan.

" Mother, do you know why these people are here?"

" No, Ethan. I have no idea."

" TC Russell looks like he could kill Julian.", Sheridan commented.

" Yes, that look wasn’t lost on me.", Ivy replied.

" Well, I guess we’ll just have to wait until Julian and Dr. Russell return from the library.", Gwen commented.

While everyone turned Pilar down for refreshment, Madelaine was making sure that everyone was getting in their proper place. She sat Simone and Whitney on the far edge of the room together. Chad chose the other chair in the corner. Maggie and Sam chose near the fireplace, while Madelaine sat down in a chair across from the remaining Cranes, holding a standing TC’s hand.

Eve walked into the library, and Julian followed, closing the door hurriedly behind him.

" Eve, what’s going on."

" TC knows, Julian."

" Knows? Knows what? ….ABOUT US?", Julian said in a panic. " Your husband found out about US? HOW?"

" Doesn’t matter. He knows."

Julian rushed to the bar and poured himself a drink. After taking a big gulp, he looked at Eve. " Wait…..if TC knows about us, then why didn’t he try and kill me on sight?"

" Because…"

" Because, WHAT?"

" Because, he found out something even larger than us being lovers."

" Eve, WHAT could be larger than you being my lover………our son?", Julian asks.

Eve nods.

" That doesn’t make sense, Eve. Now, I’m really confused. If he knows about our son, too, why hasn’t he killed me."

" Because…he wants answers."

" WHAT answers?"

" What happened to our son."

" Our son died, Eve. That’s what happened to him."

" No, Julian."

" No, what?"

" Our son isn’t dead. Our son is alive, well and standing in your living room."

With that, Julian’s entire bottle of brandy crashed to the floor.

<hr>

" Did you hear that?", Simone asked.

" What?", Whitney responded.

" Sounded like a crash."

" I didn’t hear anything."

" Whitney, this is…..so…."

" Unreal."

" Yeah."

" Look at Chad, Whitney. He looks so…."

" Devastated."

" Yeah, that’s the word. He’s our brother, Whitney. Our brother. Do you know what that means?"

" Yes, Simone. I think I know.", Whitney said viciously.

" Whit….I’m not trying to be cruel to you. I know you have…had feelings for him. But, this is so unreal. So out there. I….I can’t believe Mom lied to us all those years. All of our lives. What else has she lied about, Whitney?"

" I don’t know, Simone. But, I have no sympathy for that liar. I only feel bad for Daddy."

" Whitney!"

" It’s true. Her lies are her own fault. All of us are her victim.", Whitney said bitterly. " She’s nothing but a lying, deceitful bitch!"

Just then, Eve came into the room. Whitney didn’t know if her mother had heard her comments, but the look on her face was of pure defiance: she didn’t care. Eve and Julian made their way over to Chad, who could only stare back blankly at the faces that looked at him with such intensity. Across the room, those in the know, looked at this scene with curiousity, and those not in the know wondered what was going on.

Julian outstretched his hand to Chad, and he would not accept it. He didn’t move. Julian nodded, and then made his way to the front of the room. Eve stayed near Chad.

" Well, I guess people are here wondering what’s going on this morning. To say that these are extraordinary circumstances would be understating things. It appears that a part of my past has arisen most fortuitously. "

" What are you speaking of, Father?", Ethan asked.

" Father is the optional word here. It seems as if I have another son."

" Of course you do. My younger brother.", Ethan said.

" No, Ethan. I have a third son. Born of my relationship with Eve Russell. Chad Harris is my son."

It was the Cranes turn to turn and stare at Chad.

" It’s impossible.", Ethan says.

" Not impossible.", Julian contradicts.

" Chad…is my nephew?", Sheridan says with a confused smile on her face.

Julian nods to her.

" Wow.", Gwen comments to noone in general.

" So, Julian, you finally brought one back to the Cranes. You finally brought home a bastard.", Ivy comments.

" Mother!", Ethan admonishes.

" Shut up, Ivy."

" Oh, I’m sure Alistair is going to be pleased.", Ivy returns.

" I don’t care what Father thinks."

Ivy laughs. " Not care? It’s all you DO care about?"

" Wait…I don’t understand. Chad’s been looking for his parents since he came to town. Why is it just now that you know the truth?", Ethan asks.

" Yeah, Julian. Why is it that Chad had to find his parents at all?", TC growls, staring daggers into Julian.

" I think I have the person to answer you, TC."

Everyone turns to find George Alexopoulos standing in the Crane living room with Orville Perkins.