— Where is that good-for-nothing?” Don’t you dare lie to me, it’ll cost you dearly! — an enraged Stephen Alexander shouted into the phone at his assistant, who was supposed to report when his son, Arthur, showed up.
The assistant tried to defend himself weakly:
— Mr. Alexander, I saw his car near his apartment. He probably came back late last night after I’d already left my post.
— You’re going to go right now and find out what that insolent brat is up to! — the man hissed.
He was deeply frustrated that his son had no interest in taking part in the family business. After Arthur’s mother passed away, he was left to his own devices, which shaped his subsequent upbringing. Arthur adamantly refused to do anything productive, hiding behind vague excuses like a psychological trauma from his youth. His treatment for this so-called trauma was rather peculiar: reckless relationships with countless women, wild parties at exclusive venues, and racing on high-speed highways.
Arthur had narrowly escaped death several times, but his constant indulgence in alcohol and drugs had turned the once-vibrant young man into a wreck, incapable of making independent decisions. Yet he never forgot about his carnal pleasures, regularly spending time with one long-legged beauty after another. This time, Stephen’s assistant found Arthur in the arms of his latest fling, a certain Alice, who looked at the man with displeasure.
— What do you want? Can’t you at least let me get dressed? — she snapped.
— You’d better leave, — the assistant said firmly, glancing at the watch on his tanned wrist. — The boss will be here soon. I’d rather you didn’t run into him face-to-face.
— What if I need to meet him? — the girl shot back, staring at him defiantly.
— Why? — the assistant asked, surprised.
— Something’s come up, — Alice said cryptically, — but I need to discuss it with Arthur’s father.
— I don’t think that’s a good idea or the right time, — the assistant replied sternly. — I’m asking you again to leave Arthur. His father will be here soon.
The girl shrugged and slipped out from under the blanket, completely unbothered by the presence of a stranger seeing her practically naked. Soon, Arthur’s swollen face appeared from the bathroom.
— Hey, what’s going on? Oh, it’s you, Simon, — he said to Stephen’s assistant. — What the hell are you doing here? Where’d you get a key?
— Doesn’t matter, — Simon replied evasively. — Your father’s on his way, and he’s very curious about what you’re up to. I had to send your girlfriend away.
— Good riddance, she was getting on my nerves anyway, — Arthur replied, collapsing into a chair and lighting a cigarette. — When’s my dad showing up?
— He’s already here.
The assistant glanced out the window, where a large SUV stood in the courtyard, driven by Stephen’s personal driver. After meeting with his son, Stephen was in a foul mood, unable to understand where he had gone wrong with his only child.
— Other people’s sons bust their backs to build and grow the family business, but my idiot son can’t grasp that. He’s come up with some excuse about a trauma, of all things. Everyone’s got trauma, damn it! His mother’s been gone for nearly twenty years—it’s time to let go, but he clings to her ghost. I never remarried because of him, though I could have. I was always thinking about Arthur, not wanting him to clash with another woman after his late mother, but it was all for nothing.
Through Simon, Stephen learned that Alice, Arthur’s girlfriend at the time, had become pregnant. However, his son refused to acknowledge paternity, and the girl left for parts unknown.
“Now I need to find out what happened to her child,” — the worried father thought. — “I don’t want my grandson falling into the wrong hands.”
Simon, in his usual impassive tone, reported that Arthur had suggested Alice get an abortion, but she refused and left without leaving an address. Stephen looked at his assistant.
— How much time has passed since then? A year? Two?
— Going on three, Mr. Alexander. Arthur hasn’t even asked about Alice. He’s too busy with other young women, — Simon replied disapprovingly.
— So she must have given birth by now, and I don’t even know who my grandson is… Listen up, — Stephen said to his assistant. — Here’s your new task. Find Alice and figure out what’s going on with her and her child. I can’t rely on Arthur anymore. He’s practically a vegetable because of his habits. Is this what I built my life and business for, just to have my only son not give a damn about it? Find her and report back! Then we’ll see what to do next…
Stephen had to wait over a month for news from his assistant. Simon couldn’t pick up Alice’s trail. He even began to wonder if she had left the country under a different name or if something bad had happened to her. But one day, luck struck when he ran into Alice’s former friend, who was skeptical about her future.
— Where’s she gonna go with two boys? Probably holed up with some aunt in the middle of nowhere, where she came from five years ago.
— Do you know where she’s from? Who’s this aunt? — Simon listened carefully to every word the woman said.
— Yeah, I know she’s from somewhere like Omaha or Toledo. Midwest, basically. Straightforward and stubborn as hell. She got it in her head that she had to conquer the big city, but it didn’t quite work out, — the woman snickered. — You know she got knocked up by some rich guy, right?
— You just said it yourself, — Simon replied.
He realized the woman likely had a grudge against Alice, and he was right.
— If that rich guy was with me, he wouldn’t have gotten off so easily, — she said with a laugh. — I’d have made him pay for those kids, so life wouldn’t seem like a walk in the park.
It took Simon considerable effort to find out which hospital Alice had given birth in. It turned out to be a regular public hospital where she had delivered two boys.
— Yeah, we had a patient like that, — the hospital director said. — Her boys were so sturdy and cute. She wanted to give one up, and another family took him right away after she signed the papers. They adopted him as their own, so one of the twins is with that family now.
Simon had to pay a hefty sum for that information, but he knew it was critical.
A couple of weeks later, he unexpectedly ran into Alice in a city park, where she was walking with a boy about a year and a half old, the spitting image of his grandfather, Stephen. Simon followed them and discovered that Alice and her son were living in a rented room. Noting the apartment number, he returned to his boss.
— I’ve got two pieces of news, Mr. Alexander, — he reported. — The good news: I found where Alice and the child are living. The bad news: I couldn’t trace her second child. The boy was adopted by another family and taken to a different state.
— Are you saying I have two grandsons? — Stephen said, incredulous. Two boys, my heirs, and my junkie son doesn’t even know they exist. Oh, Arthur, just you wait!
— What do you plan to do with him? — Simon asked calmly. — No offense, but he hasn’t been capable of taking responsibility for his actions or foreseeing their consequences for a long time.
— You’re right about that, I won’t argue, — Stephen replied after a brief pause. — Give me Alice’s address. I need to meet her. And get my lawyer here. I have a delicate matter to discuss with him.
Alice was surprised when she saw a distinguished man in his fifties standing at her door, staring intently at her son’s face. From his expression, it was clear he hadn’t come on a whim.
— Are you Alice? — Stephen began without preamble.
— I am. And? — the young woman replied cautiously.
She couldn’t figure out what this unexpected visitor wanted.
— I have a business proposition for you, but it’s not just about business. — The man walked into the kitchen and sat down confidently on a chair. — My name is Stephen Alexander. I’m Arthur’s father. Yes, the same Arthur you were involved with a few years ago. — Stephen closely watched the woman’s expression. — I also know that you gave birth to two boys, twins, from my son. One is with you, and the other is being raised by an adoptive family. Correct me if I’ve got anything wrong.
— You’re right so far, — Alice said, not taking her eyes off him. — What do you want from me?
— I want you to give me my grandson. Not for free, of course, and not just for the sake of it. But first, I need to confirm that he’s my blood.
— And what happens if that’s confirmed? — Alice asked cautiously.
— I’ll adopt him or take him under my guardianship as a blood relative. I think you know what Arthur’s like. I have no hope for him, and I want to raise a new heir while I still have the strength and health. You’ll get your reward for this child—whatever you want.
— Are you saying you’re ready to provide me with housing and a job?
— I don’t know about a job. I have no idea about your professional qualifications. But with your own place, life will be much easier. You’ll be able to build your personal life without the burden of caring for a son. Don’t worry about him—I won’t abandon the boy. Your son will get a proper education and can build a career in any field he chooses. All I need is your consent to hand him over to me.
— I can’t just give up my own child, — Alice replied, lifting her chin proudly.
— I understand, — Stephen nodded. — It’s not easy to let go of a child, but believe me, this will be better for everyone.
Alice asked for time to think, though she already knew what she would decide. Little David was a burden to her, though she couldn’t admit it to herself. But if Arthur’s father was offering such compensation, why not take the chance? When Stephen called two days later about David, Alice nearly blurted out that she was ready to part with her son.
Two months later, the boy became a full-fledged member of the family. Stephen observed his new heir closely and was pleased. The boy was sharp and incredibly curious. Watching his grandfather pore over reports, David would sit across from him, mimic his serious expression, and spout wisdom that left the seasoned businessman nearly falling out of his chair.
— Can you believe it? This kid’s gonna outdo me in business one day, — Stephen laughed, listening to his young charge’s pearls of wisdom.
The man seemed to grow younger and more energetic. Where his head was once consumed with business troubles or Arthur’s antics, the arrival of his precocious grandson shifted his focus to new challenges and solutions. He took genuine pleasure in spending hours playing complex construction games with the boy, assembling puzzles, riding bikes in the yard, and teaching him to swim.
David’s successes thrilled him. The boy absorbed information from the first try and could recall it at just the right moment.
— My boy’s a real genius in the making. He’ll outshine anyone when he grows up, — Stephen proudly told his acquaintances.
He abandoned all attempts to introduce Arthur to his own son. Drugged up on his latest dose, Arthur showed no interest in anything, and from his reaction, it was clear he didn’t even realize he was a father, let alone that his son was growing up in his father’s house.
… David graduated high school and university with honors, after which his grandfather offered him an internship at his company. The young man eagerly accepted the challenge and developed a new cybersecurity product that was well-received by small and medium-sized businesses. Now David was working on adapting it for larger corporations.
Stephen offered him the position of head of the IT department. After brief consideration, David agreed.
One evening, David overheard Stephen talking on the phone.
— You found him? I’d like to meet him while I’m still alive. Yes, I understand, but I can’t just abandon my own grandson, you know?
— Grandpa, what’s this about? What grandson can’t you abandon? — David asked, puzzled, standing in the doorway.
Stephen realized it was time to come clean. Sitting his grandson down, he briefly recounted their family’s story. David listened, eyes wide.
— So I have a twin brother? Why didn’t you tell me?
— Because I had no idea where to find him. My assistant just called and said he knows where your other grandson is. His name is James, and he grew up in an adoptive family with much humbler circumstances than ours. He has no education beyond high school because he didn’t want to study. He fell in with a bad crowd and dropped out, though they say he’s not a fool.
— You want to meet him? Will you introduce me?
— I’m not sure yet, — Stephen replied. — I need to learn more about him before claiming him as family.
— But he’s my only brother! — David protested.
— My boy, you’ve got a stellar education and you’re ready to work hard. From what I’ve heard, he’s not quite like that.
David retreated to his room and mulled over the news for a long time. He was thrilled to learn he had a brother, but he had no idea what getting close to him might entail. Stephen couldn’t bring himself to tell David that his beloved grandson’s twin, whose successes he was prouder of than his own, had already been in and out of jail multiple times for petty theft, fighting, and minor vandalism.
The last thing Stephen wanted was for his worthy heir to get mixed up with someone like James, who could easily lead him astray. Better to keep his distance.
But soon, David, as an IT specialist, managed to track down his brother behind his grandfather’s back. He started talking to James, who quickly realized how he could profit from their familial connection.
— You know, I always felt like I wasn’t alone, — David confided one day. — I kept getting this feeling that something was happening, but not to me.
— Same here, — James nodded along.
He used his striking resemblance to his brother for his own ends, with David serving merely as a tool to achieve them.
— Let’s hit the road for the weekend. I know a great spot—pure adrenaline, — James said conspiratorially.
David, who had never been into such things, eagerly accepted the offer. When he drove up to the meeting point in his car, James looked very pleased with himself.
— Good thinking bringing the car. Getting there on foot would’ve been a nightmare.
James unfolded a map and pointed to a spot in the woods.
— There’s a job here. I don’t know what it was, but it looks like some kind of strategic complex—tons of pipes and metal. Usually, urban explorers hold competitions here, but this week it’s empty. They’re all at another site. Let’s check it out…
— Urban explorers? — David asked, surprised.
When he was a teenager, his grandfather had strictly forbidden him from visiting such places, saying they often ended badly, especially if you went alone. “If you fall into a hole, who’s gonna pull you out? You’ll rot before anyone finds you.”
But curiosity got the better of him, and David went without hesitation. He trusted his newfound brother completely, who kept saying real men needed adventure and mocked David’s office job. They arrived at the location, got out of the car, and headed toward an abandoned building in the middle of a forested area. Everything seemed novel to David, and he walked, looking around in all directions.
Finally, they stood before a massive hangar, its appearance evoking thoughts of a recent apocalypse.
— This place is unreal, — David said, awestruck, following his twin deeper inside.
Suddenly, James vanished, and David realized something was wrong.
— Jimmy, where are you? Where’d you go?
Something heavy crashed down on him, and as David lost consciousness, he saw himself falling into a hole. James’s face appeared above him, and after ensuring David was out, he methodically removed his jacket, shoes, phone, and car keys.
— Sorry, little brother, — James said mockingly, seeing David struggle to open his eyes. — Time for you to learn what it’s like to just survive, not live it up. Don’t hold it against me. — He struck David in the jaw, knocking him out again.
James slipped through a gap in the wall and was gone. He walked with a light, springy step, like someone who’d just solved a complex puzzle.
— Serves him right, the bastard. While you were living large, I had nothing to eat! Take that… — James muttered to himself as he got into his brother’s car, started it, and sped off.
He decided to show up at Stephen’s house later to avoid questions, but to his horror, he saw his grandfather sitting in the spacious hall, reading a newspaper. Seeing his grandson, Stephen set the paper aside.
— Where’ve you been, you adventure seeker? Couldn’t you at least call Simon so I wouldn’t worry?
— Why worry? I’m not a kid, — James smirked.
Stephen suddenly pressed a button on his desk, and two burly men appeared, grabbing James by the arms and restraining him.
— Grandpa, what the hell? — James struggled.
The man approached and looked at him mockingly.
— Did you really think you could fool me, you dog? I know my David inside and out! He’d never act like this. Where is he?!
— I’m David, — James rasped.
The old man slapped him hard across the face.
— I know exactly who you are. You’re my grandson too, but I didn’t raise you! You reek of prison from a mile away! Since you understand what I’m talking about, here’s my final word. I’ll let you live, but you will bring me my grandson! My real grandson, not a filthy fake like you, or you’ll regret it! Got it?!
— Crystal clear, — James rasped again, and Stephen signaled to release him.
— It’s dark now, but tomorrow morning, you’re going out and bringing me David, or you’ll be sorry!
James lay awake in his small room, wondering how Stephen had known instantly who he was. After much thought, he concluded that the old man must have been a crook himself to amass such wealth.
“And he’s turning David into some saintly goody-two-shoes. What a holy family,” he thought bitterly.
The next morning, under the watch of two bodyguards, James returned to the forest to search for the abandoned building. To his surprise, David wasn’t there.
— He couldn’t have gotten out, — James muttered, puzzled, wondering how his brother had escaped.
… The day had been chosen specifically because no one was supposed to be there. But three days later, a phone call came, and Stephen personally set out with all his bodyguards. From his confinement, James watched through a window as several cars lined up outside the mansion three hours later.
— What the hell’s going on?
David was carried out on a stretcher, accompanied by a young man and a girl who looked no older than twenty. The girl glanced around nervously.
That evening, Stephen looked into James’s room.
— Take the money and get lost, you scum!
— What happened?
— The world’s not without good people. That guy carried David out on his back. And that girl, his sister, nursed my grandson while he was unconscious. He had a serious wound that nearly led to sepsis, but that young lady saved him. David will recover at home—I’m not risking his health. And you, take the money you pulled this stunt for and disappear from our lives! — Stephen tossed a small envelope onto the table, gave James a contemptuous look, and left.
James didn’t waste time. He grabbed the envelope and bolted. He knew that if he crossed paths with his grandfather’s or brother’s bodyguards again, he’d be in deep trouble.
— I think you should stay and work for me, — Stephen offered the young man and his sister. — Thanks to you, my grandson is alive and well, and I’d like to have people I can trust around him.
The siblings exchanged glances and nodded.
— Alright, we’ll think about it…
— And you, my boy, get better soon, — Stephen said to his grandson. — I was so lonely while you were gone. You’re supposed to see me off when my time comes, not the other way around, got it?
— Why the rush, Grandpa? You’ve got plenty of time left! — David hugged the old man and rested his head on his shoulder.
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