Twisted Web of Truths

Chapter Three

Maybe this time, his father could answer some of his questions. Though Ethan could feel doubt creeping into him, knowing the last time he asked a question, Levi shut him down.

Gently, he raps on the door. "Dad?"

"Come in." Levi's voice sounded so far away, strained.

He steps into the room, bewildered at the mess his father had managed to do. The entire office, smaller than the room he shares with his brother by a half, seems small with things all over the floor and table.

Ethan puts the mug onto the table and continued watching his father tear his hair out of frustration, a milestone every second.

"Quill sued us. Especially you." His father starts. "The police department chose to undergo the investigation. That's our advantage. If only I could find..."

"I'm pretty sure Quill had already bribed them," Ethan adds.

"That's the point." Levi stares right into his eyes. "Even if one of them took the bribe, there's still enough time for us to clear this mess. He's got a lawyer at the ready. We only need to wait for the trial and at the moment, time is our advantage."

Confused, Ethan tilts his head. "To do what?"

"That," Levi smiles a strange smile. "It's a complicated thing to explain, son. Your curiosity is high and I can't answer all of your questions at once."

Ethan froze. Only her father could guess something as close as that.

Chuckling softly, Levi motions the door. "Go get ready for school. I need to think."

Ethan rolls his eyes at his father's words. School is the last thing he thought of. Today, that word made him shiver in dread, heavy in the bottom of his stomach. A weight that was carried on his family members.

All just because he declined Bianca's gift.

Cursing mentally, he stomps towards the kitchen. A smell of scrambled eggs in the morning woke his already hungry stomach. His mother's dark hair is visible as he walked across the hallway. He was surprised to see Cole sitting with his head on the counter.

"Wow," Ethan exclaims as a greeting at the sight of his brother.

Cole glances at him sleepily, discreetly showing him the finger before shutting his eyes again. His mother slides a plate full of eggs onto him, which immediately woke him. Nothing could beat her mother's food, not even sleep.

"Toast or eggs?" Mara offers.

"Both." Ethan sheepishly grin. He takes a seat next to his brother.

Cole blinks at a blank space on the counter. "Do we have to go to school?"

Ethan doesn't. He can already picture how today will go. He'd go to school, arrive with millions of phone cameras pointed at him, whispers following him for the rest of the day. Teachers would narrowly feel disappointed because as their A star pupil, this kind of behavior is never tolerated.

And then he'd have to go through it again the next day. And the next until the Quills withdraw their charges.

Which might be never.

He showered soon after he ate his breakfast, grabbing his mother's car keys, dragging Cole behind him. The only cars they have are their father's and their mother's. Ethan usually takes Mara's car, a blue Ford Fiesta which is the hard work of her job.