“Eleanor had been involved with him before she started working at Thomas's store.”
I stared.
“Raymond was Julian's father?”
“Eleanor believed so. She never expressed any doubt to me.”
“Then why does the birth certificate name Thomas?”
Mr. Harrison exhaled.
“Raymond refused to acknowledge the pregnancy. When Eleanor said she'd seek legal help to establish paternity, he threatened to use his family's money and influence against her.”
“Thomas's family money?”
“Yes. The Ward family had more resources than Eleanor did, even before Thomas's business became successful.”
I thought about Raymond.
His expensive suits.
His entitlement.
His effortless belief that other people existed to serve him.
Mr. Harrison continued.
“Eleanor was frightened. Thomas stepped forward and signed a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, accepting legal responsibility. It was a deeply questionable way to solve the problem, but he believed it would protect Julian.”
I stared at the letter.
“Did Thomas know for certain Julian wasn't biologically his?”
