Chapter 65: Chapter 14

MANDY

I send Nate a quick text to let him know we’re on our way. Then, I find myself just staring at the papers in my hand. I don’t even know how to explain this to the judge, especially since we don’t even know their names. I can’t help but think about how my parents are going to pay for this when it’s all over.

I want to hurt them, make them feel the pain they’ve caused. But that would be too easy.

“Mandy, are you okay?”

“Yeah, Kyle. I’m just…shocked. I don’t know what to think. There are so many questions and no answers yet.”

“Hopefully, you’ll get some answers from the boys and the hospital.”

“I hope so.”

After what feels like an eternity in the car, we finally arrive at the hospital. I practically leap out of the car and rush inside. I spot Nate and Jessie almost immediately and ask a nurse to let Doctor Yu know we’ve arrived. We wait, and wait, and wait some more until finally, he comes out to meet us.

“Do we have the paperwork? Nothing personal, just following protocol.”

“I didn’t know what to put for their names since we don’t know them.”

“That’s okay. We’ll fill everyone in. Let’s go to a private room and we’ll let you know what we’ve found out. We have some more paperwork for you to fill out.”

We follow him through a set of doors and down a hallway to a small sitting room. We all take a seat and wait for him to fill us in.

“Here’s what we know so far, based on what the boys have told us and our own records. Their names are Anthony and Marcus Ortiz. Their mother is Toni Conner and their father is Angelo Ortiz.

“They were born on August 25th and are currently ten years old. They’ll be turning eleven soon. They’re awake now and starting to experience withdrawal symptoms from the drugs. They’ll likely be dealing with that for the next few days to a week. It will get better with time.

“We’ve cleaned them up—they were covered in their own waste. They’re not malnourished, but they are underweight. We can give you some temporary documents for now, and tell you where to get official ones. I can take you to see them now. We’ve put them in the same room.”

I can’t believe they have the same last name as us—Ortiz. We all exchange glances before standing up to follow the doctor to their room. When we walk in, we see the boys looking at us. We can’t help but stare back—they look just like Rico Ortiz. I’m sure we must look intimidating to them, especially when two large men walk in with us.

“So, the doctor says you’re our older sister?”

“Anthony, right? Yes, I am. And you have another sister, but she’s currently in the hospital recovering from being beaten by our parents.”

“You mean our mom and stepdad.”

“Yeah, Marcus. We didn’t know he wasn’t our real dad until recently. Mom didn’t tell us until then. She said we couldn’t talk about it. I guess it was because he didn’t know.”

“So, who are they?”

“Oh, I’m sorry boys. This is Nate Maxwell, my husband, and Jessie Maxwell, my sister-in-law’s husband.”

Anthony looks at Marcus and they both shrug.

“When can we leave here?”

“Soon, Marcus. We’re just waiting for some paperwork from the doctor. Then we’ll be going to our house in Arlton.”

Nate turns to me, “Mandy, I’m going to step out with Jessie to make a phone call to my dad.”

CADEN

Once we get our new guests settled in the basement, my phone starts ringing. I see it’s Nate calling and quickly excuse myself to take the call upstairs.

“Nate, how are things?”

“Good, we’re just waiting on some paperwork. But Dad, I don’t know how to say this…”

“Nate, just fucking say it, son!”

“Mike isn’t their father, and I’m not sure he’s even aware of it.”

“Then who the hell is their dad?”

“Their father’s name is Angelo Ortiz.”

“Don’t you dare mess with me, Nate!”

“Dad, I saw the birth certificates! Angelo Ortiz is listed as the father! The boys confirmed that Mike isn’t their dad, but they weren’t allowed to talk about it. I wonder if there’s a picture of him somewhere in that house. Dad, they look exactly like Rico and Ricardo! We didn’t even check the bedrooms.”

“Get your ass over to that house and find a picture. I need to know!”

“We will, as soon as we leave here. Maybe the boys know if there are any pictures.”

I end the call and just when I think I’m finally done with this mess. Who the hell is this Angelo Ortiz? I swear, if there’s any connection, I’ll find him and kill him. I’m not taking any chances! I quickly dial Leon because I need some answers!

“Caden, how’s it going? What can I do for you?”

“I’ve got a serious situation and I need answers fast! I need to know if Rico had any siblings. Especially an Angelo Ortiz! Just find the information!”

“Caden, calm down. Let me pull up the file. I never thought I’d be looking at this again. I’m checking, and here’s his family info. Caden, I don’t see any siblings listed, but we never really checked.”

“Well, check! I need to find him! Call me when you find something!”

When I turn around to check on the guys, I see Tank and Frankie heading up the stairs. They see my face and instantly tense up.

“What’s happening?”

“They’ve found out who the boys’ father is, and it’s not Mike.”

“Then who is it?”

“Angelo Ortiz. It’s been confirmed by records and the boys. Nate says they look just like Rico and Ricardo. I have Leon searching for any siblings of Rico. I thought we were done with this mess! Nate is going to go to the house with the boys and see if there’s a picture somewhere before they head back to the estate. Let’s go there for now. Have guards watch the trash in shifts. We need answers.”

We all pile into the car and head back to the estate, anxiously waiting for some information from anyone! Just something. We pull up to the estate and as I walk in, I see Cami resting with her cast on the couch, Jace bundled up in blankets watching TV. Eva runs up to me, sensing something is wrong.

“Caden, what’s wrong?”

“The boys’ mother is the same as the girls’, Toni Conner, but they have a different father.”

“That’s okay, we’ll still love them the same. So what’s the big deal?”

“Eva, you don’t understand. Their last name is Ortiz.”

Her face pales as Jessie and Jocelyn run in from the other room. Everyone freezes, waiting for me to continue.

“The boys’ father is Angelo Ortiz. We have Leon working on it, and Nate is going back to the house to see if they have a picture. Nate says they look just like Rico and Ricardo.”

Tears start to fall down Eva’s face. She walks over and grabs Jocelyn, and I run my hand down my face. I walk over, pour myself a glass of whiskey, and sit down to wait for something to happen. After a couple of hours, my phone rings. It’s Leon.

“Leon, what do you have?”

“Caden, I did some digging and found your answer! He has a younger brother, Angelo Ortiz. He was in contact with Ricardo until he was killed. Then he just disappeared. Somehow, Toni found him because she had some kids with him. I think she’ll have your answers.”

“Thanks, Leon. See if you can find anything else on him.”

Just as I hang up, the front doors open and I see Nate standing there. I quickly stand up as he hands me some photos. I look at them and it’s confirmed. This Angelo looks just like Rico.

I then look at the boys walking in. It’s like the past has come back to haunt us. I hear two thuds and see that both Eva and Jocelyn have fainted. The boys just stare, wide-eyed. They have no idea what we’ve been through with that family.