Ethan didn't return to either house for days.
Instead, he rented a studio apartment downtown—small, quiet, anonymous. It was the first space that truly felt like his. No maids, no legacy, no echoes of someone else's dream. Just him, a desk, a laptop, and a view of the city that never asked for permission to be loud and alive.
For days, he said nothing.
But he wrote.
And when he was ready, he posted.
A single video. No music. No edits. Just Ethan—raw, direct, and unfiltered.
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"Hi. My name is Ethan.
Some of you know me as Ethan Blake. Some of you, now, as Ethan Neal.
I was born into one family. Raised by another. Neither of them perfect. Both of them broken.
I've spent my whole life being told who I am—heir to a fortune, tech prodigy, someone else's miracle. But no one ever asked me what I wanted. What I believed about myself.
So here it is:
I believe family is more than blood. It's also more than time.
It's about truth.
And the truth is, I love the people who raised me. Even if they were wrong. Even if it started with a lie.
But I also want to know the people who made me. Even if it hurts.
So I'm not choosing between them.
I'm choosing me.
I'm keeping the name Ethan Blake—not because I reject the Neals, but because that's the name I grew up with. That's the name that built me.
But I'll carry the truth with me. All of it.
This is my life now.
I won't be anyone's revenge, or redemption, or product.
I'll be something better.
Just… Ethan."
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The video went viral within hours.
Not because of scandal, but because of honesty.
People saw in Ethan what they often feared to admit about themselves: that identity isn't given. It's earned. Built. Forged in fire.
He received thousands of messages—support, questions, pain, and praise.
But only two that mattered.
From Russell: I'm proud of you. Always was.
From Jonah: Thank you for your courage. We're here when you're ready.
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That night, Ethan slept like he hadn't in years.
Because he was finally done running.
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End of Chapter 8
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