Page 121 of What Comes Around

A few days later, my family drama had turned into a full-blown internet obsession. And it wasn’t slowing down.

My mother’s murder was dragged back into the light, picked apart piece by piece by strangers who spoke about her like she was a character, not a person. True crime channels jumped on it, posting timelines, theories, dramatic voiceovers. I had no idea how they were pulling everything together so quickly.

Police records. Old articles. Court filings. Photos.

Nothing stayed buried anymore.

Then the focus shifted to my father.

Brandon’s past was laid out just as brutally. The affair. The remarriage. The woman accused of killing his wife. The life he had built on top of that mess. And now, another scandal layered on top of it all. Another child. Another woman. Another story that didn’t quite make sense.

Comment sections tore him apart.

His company had already been struggling, but once the attention hit, the damage multiplied. Stocks dropped. The last investors started pulling out.

And right in the middle of it, like she had been waiting for her moment, Apple stepped into the spotlight.

By coincidence or not, she ended up in front of a paparazzo’s camera.

I had my suspicions.

She stood outside some boutique, perfectly put together, one hand resting lightly on the curve of her stomach. Like she had practiced the pose.

One of the photographers asked the question everyone had been circling.

“Is Knox Sinclair the father of your baby?”

She hesitated.

Just long enough to make it feel real.

Then she nodded.

“Yes.”

The video spread faster than anything else had. Within hours, it was everywhere.

Daughter of suspected killer linked to CEO Knox Sinclair.

Was Chicago’s most eligible bachelor about to become a father?

Knox released a statement to shut it down.

Official Statement from Sinclair Enterprises

Sinclair Enterprises and its CEO, Mr. Knox Sinclair, have become aware of recent public claims made by Ms. Apple Richards regarding the paternity of her unborn child. We wish to clarify unequivocally that these claims are false.

Mr. Sinclair is not, and has never been, in a committed romantic relationship with Ms. Richards. Any implication to the contrary is inaccurate and misleading.

Mr. Sinclair categorically denies any possibility of paternity. In the interest of complete transparency, he is fully willing to undergo a paternity test to conclusively resolve this matter.

Mr. Sinclair is currently in a private, committed relationship. These allegations appear to be an attempt to exploit his public position and reputation for personal attention and gain.

We ask that the public and media respect the privacy of all parties involved and refrain from amplifying unverified claims. Sinclair Enterprises remains focused on its ongoing operations and its commitment to clients, partners, and stakeholders.

Sinclair Enterprises will not be providing further comment at this time.

I was at my desk when I read the statement and the line about Knox being in a “private and committed relationship.” I actually had to blink at it. We had never talked about what we were, not once. No labels, no definitions, no late‑night conversations about feelings. We just… did whatever we were doing. And now, apparently, we were committed.