Chapter 8: The Man Who Had Been Watching Us
Rebecca called me at 9:30 the following morning.
"Daniel, I need you to come into my office.""
"Is Amara's case that serious?""
"It's more complicated than I expected.""
I looked toward the living room.
Amara was sitting beside Simone, reading through the documents Rebecca had sent the previous evening.
"Can she come?""
"Absolutely.""
We arrived twenty minutes later.
Rebecca had three files spread across her desk.
She motioned for us to sit.
"First, I've confirmed that the personal guarantee hasn't been registered as a completed loan obligation. That's good news.""
Amara exhaled.
"Does that mean I'm safe?""
"It means we have time to investigate. It doesn't mean the document is harmless.""
Rebecca opened the second file.
"Your father's company applied for a business credit facility several months ago.""
Amara frowned.
"Why?""
"According to the application, the company needed capital for expansion.""
"Marcus never told me that.""
Rebecca continued.
"Your name appears as a proposed guarantor.""
She turned the page.
"But the bank's internal notes raise a concern.""
I leaned forward.
"What concern?""
"The lender questioned the company's financial position. There were outstanding obligations that needed clarification.""
Amara stared at her.
"What kind of obligations?""
"Unpaid invoices, a previous business loan, and a tax-related balance.""
Simone shook her head.
"Why would he involve Amara in that?""
Rebecca didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she opened the third file.
"Because Marcus appears to have been looking for additional financial support before he returned to your life.""
Amara went completely still.
Rebecca slid a printed email across the desk.
It was dated eight months earlier.
The sender was Marcus.
The recipient was a business associate named Leonard Price.
I read the message.
My daughter is graduating soon. I'm rebuilding the relationship, and I expect to have access to a more favorable financial arrangement once the family situation is settled.
I looked up.
"What does that mean?""
Rebecca tapped the screen.
"Keep reading.""
The next paragraph was worse.
She has a stable employment history, good credit, and no existing major debt. If I can get her involved in the family property arrangement, it should help us secure the facility.
Amara covered her mouth.
I felt anger rising in my chest.
But I kept quiet.
Rebecca continued.
"This email doesn't prove every part of the arrangement was fraudulent. But it suggests that Marcus was considering your financial profile before he re-established regular contact.""
Amara stared at the paper.
"Before he even called me?""
"Yes.""
She shook her head.
"That can't be true.""
I reached for her hand.
She pulled away.
Not angrily.
She simply needed space.
"Why would he do that?""
Rebecca answered carefully.
"I don't know his intentions. But the timing is concerning.""
Amara stood and walked to the window.
For several seconds, she stared outside.
Then she turned.
"I need to call him.""
Rebecca shook her head.
"I strongly recommend that you don't discuss the documents with him until we understand the full situation.""
"But he's my father.""
"I understand.""
"No, you don't.""
Amara's voice broke.
"He disappeared when I was little. Then he came back, and I thought maybe he finally wanted me.""
Nobody spoke.
She looked at me.
"Do you know what it's like to spend years wondering why someone doesn't want to see you?""
I swallowed.
"Yes, sweetheart.""
She looked away.
"I kept thinking maybe if I was older, or more successful, or easier to love, he'd come back.""
Simone started crying.
Amara continued.
"When he finally did, he said he was proud of me. He said he wanted to be part of my life. I didn't want to question him because I was afraid he'd disappear again.""
I stood.
"Amara...""
She raised her hand.
"Please. I need a minute.""
I sat back down.
Rebecca waited until Amara had settled before speaking again.
"There's another issue.""
She removed a document from the bottom of the file.
"This concerns the Charlotte property.""
Amara turned.
"What about it?""
"The property Marcus offered you and Ethan isn't owned by Marcus personally.""
"Okay.""
"It's owned by Reed Property Holdings.""
Amara nodded.
"That's his company.""
"Correct. But the company has an existing mortgage and a recorded financial dispute.""
Rebecca showed her a public property record.
The listed owner was a business entity.
The lender was a regional investment firm.
The outstanding mortgage was significantly higher than the property's estimated market value.
Amara stared.
"So he doesn't actually own the house?""
"He controls the company that owns it. That's different.""
I looked at the document.
"Could he give it to her?""
"Not without dealing with the existing obligations and obtaining the necessary approvals.""
Amara sat down slowly.
"He told me it was a wedding gift.""
Rebecca nodded.
"I suspect he wanted you to believe that.""
I looked at the loan agreement.
"Could this explain why he needs her signature?""
"Possibly. We need the full banking records and corporate filings.""
Amara picked up her phone.
"I'm calling him.""
Rebecca stood.
"Amara, please.""
"I need to hear it from him.""
Rebecca considered that.
"Then don't discuss the legal documents. Ask him simple questions. Don't agree to anything, and don't sign anything.""
Amara nodded.
She dialed.
Marcus answered after two rings.
"Princess! I've been trying to reach you.""
"I have a question about the Charlotte house.""
"What about it?""
"Is it yours?""
A pause.
"Of course it is.""
"Personally?""
Another pause.
"Why are you asking?""
"Because the lawyer says it's owned by Reed Property Holdings.""
Marcus laughed.
"That's just how I structure my assets.""
"Is there a mortgage?""
"Every property has financing.""
"How much?""
His tone changed.
"Amara, what is this? An interrogation?""
"I just want to understand.""
"Daniel has been filling your head with nonsense.""
She looked at me.
I remained silent.
Marcus continued.
"Listen. I'm trying to give you a future. Most fathers would be proud to do this for their daughters.""
Amara closed her eyes.
"Did you contact Leonard Price before you started calling me again?""
Silence.
Then Marcus said:
"Who told you about Leonard?""
She swallowed.
"I saw the email.""
His voice dropped.
"That was business.""
"Did you plan to use my credit?""
"Don't be ridiculous.""
"Then why did you write that I had a good credit profile?""
Marcus exhaled sharply.
"Because you're my daughter. I was planning to help you.""
"By making me responsible for your company's debt?""
"You're misunderstanding the arrangement.""
Amara's voice cracked.
"Did you come back because you missed me?""
There was a long silence.
For a moment, nobody in the office moved.
Then Marcus answered.
"Of course I missed you.""
"That's not what I asked.""
He sighed.
"Amara, don't make this emotional.""
Her face crumpled.
I wanted to take the phone from her.
I didn't.
She asked one final question.
"Did you know I was going to get married before you contacted me?""
Marcus was quiet.
Then he said:
"I knew you were becoming an adult. I knew it was time to repair things.""
Amara ended the call.
She placed the phone on Rebecca's desk.
Then she began to cry.
I moved toward her.
This time, she didn't pull away.
She leaned into me, pressing her face against my shoulder.
"I'm so stupid," she whispered.
I held her.
"No, sweetheart.""
"I believed him.""
"You wanted your father.""
She cried harder.
I rubbed her back.
"There's nothing stupid about that.""
Rebecca gave us a few minutes.
Then she cleared her throat.
"Amara, I want to make one thing clear. You're not obligated to finance your father's business to prove that you love him.""
Amara wiped her cheeks.
"I know.""
"Do you?""
She nodded.
Rebecca continued.
"Good. Because the next step is to obtain the original records, notify the lender that you dispute the circumstances surrounding the guarantee, and make sure no further documents are signed.""
I looked at Amara.
"What do you want to do about the wedding?""
She stared at the floor.
"I don't know.""
Her phone vibrated.
A message from Marcus.
Your mother has always hated me. Don't let her destroy the first good thing I've tried to do for you.
Then another.
If you cancel the wedding arrangements, I will withdraw every dollar.
And a third.
You need to decide whether you want a father or another man telling you what to do.
Amara showed Rebecca.
The lawyer read the messages.
"Save everything.""
Amara nodded.
Then she looked at me.
"Daniel, can I stay with you and Mom tonight?""
I smiled sadly.
"Your room is still there.""
She looked toward Simone.
"Thank you.""
Simone hugged her.
For the first time since Marcus returned, Amara seemed to understand that she didn't have to earn her place in our home.
But the day wasn't over.
At 6:40 p.m., Ethan called.
His voice was urgent.
"Mr. Hayes, I think Marcus is at our apartment.""
"Why?""
"He wants Amara to sign something.""
I stood.
"Don't let him.""
"I tried. He's saying the bank will take legal action if she doesn't sign tonight.""
"Put him on the phone.""
Ethan hesitated.
Then I heard Marcus's voice.
"Daniel. There you are.""
"What are you doing at their apartment?""
"Trying to save my daughter's future.""
"Leave her alone until she gets legal advice.""
Marcus laughed.
"You really think you can tell me what to do?""
I gripped the phone.
"No. But I can tell you that Rebecca Collins is reviewing every document.""
The laughter stopped.
Then Marcus said quietly:
"Be careful, Daniel. You have no idea what I know about your family.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What is that supposed to mean?""
He ended the call.
A minute later, Ethan sent me a photograph.
It showed Marcus standing in their apartment doorway, holding a thick envelope.
May you like
On the front was a label.
*DANIEL HAYES — PROPERTY RECORDS.*
