Chapter 83 – Secrets and Ultimatums

POV 1: Sarah

The café was quiet in the morning light, the usual comfort of the soft clinking of dishes and low jazz music replaced by silence. Sarah stood behind the counter, gripping a coffee mug tighter than she should've.

Ryan sat across from her, arms folded, eyes cold. Defensive. Just like his father.

Jack stood by the doorway, hands in his pockets, the air between them heavy. He was here because she had asked him to be—because she needed someone to stop this from spiraling.

"You're not being fair," Ryan said finally, voice low but angry. "You don't even know Anna like I do."

Sarah's heart ached at his words. "Ryan, this isn't about Anna being a bad person. I like her. That's what makes this harder."

"Then why are you trying to pull us apart?" he snapped.

Jack shifted but stayed silent. He knew it wasn't his place to speak—yet.

Sarah exhaled slowly. "Because it's not right."

"That's not a reason."

She walked around the counter, sat beside her son, and placed a hand over his. "It's because... Ryan, she's your sister."

His breath caught.

"What?"

"Half-sister," she said, voice barely a whisper. "Richard is your father."

Ryan jerked back in his chair like she'd slapped him. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"I didn't mean for this to happen," she said. "I didn't even want to come back here. I tried to protect you—"

"By hiding my identity? By lying?"

"I was scared!" she cried. "I was young, and Richard... he told me to get rid of you. Jack is the only one who knew. I had no one else."

Ryan looked at Jack, betrayal painting his face. "You knew?"

Jack finally spoke. "She told me years ago. I begged her to tell you. She was trying to wait for the right time, but... it got away from her."

Sarah wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "I never wanted to hurt you or Anna. But this relationship—it can't happen, Ryan."

Ryan stood, shaking his head. "You don't get to decide that."

"Please," she said, desperate now. "End it before it gets worse."

He didn't answer. He just walked out.

POV 2: Richard

The front porch creaked beneath his steps as he stood in front of the Morgan house. Evelyn answered the door with a guarded smile.

"Didn't expect to see you," she said. "Anna's not home."

"I'm not here for Anna," Richard said, his voice serious. "Can we talk?"

She frowned, but stepped aside. "Come in."

He sat on the same couch he'd helped pick out years ago, his hands clasped tightly.

"What's going on?" Evelyn asked, crossing her arms.

"I have to tell you something. It's about Ryan Whitmore."

She tilted her head. "Sarah's son?"

He nodded. "He's also my son."

Silence.

Evelyn blinked. "What?"

"I didn't know. Not until recently," Richard said. "Sarah told me after the championship game. She was pregnant back in high school. I told her to get an abortion, and she left. I never saw her again."

"And now you're sure?" Evelyn asked.

"She showed me proof. And... I see it in him. His eyes, his game, his anger—it's all mine."

Evelyn sat down slowly. "So Anna and Ryan…"

He nodded, shame settling over his features. "They're half-siblings. And they're... together."

Evelyn's eyes filled with tears. "Oh my God."

"I didn't mean for this to happen," he said. "I just want to do the right thing now. Be there for him. Make up for what I didn't do."

Evelyn stared into space. "This is going to break her."

"I know," he whispered.