Chapter 6: The Enemy Who Knew Too Much
Daniel looked exactly the same.
That was the strangest part.
I expected him to look different.
Dangerous.
Changed.
But when I saw him sitting across from Detective Harris in the interview room, he looked like the same man who once brought me flowers after a bad day.
The same man who knew how to smile at exactly the right moment.
The same man everyone trusted.
That was what made him terrifying.
Some monsters don't look like monsters.
They look familiar.
Rachel sat in another room with her attorney.
She refused to look at me.
Maybe she was ashamed.
Maybe she was afraid.
Maybe both.
Marcus sat beside me.
His hand held mine.
But I could feel the distance between us.
Not because I didn't love him.
Because there were still secrets between us.
Detective Harris came out.
“He wants to speak with you.””
Marcus immediately shook his head.
“No.””
Daniel's voice came from behind the glass.
“He deserves to know.””
I froze.
Deserves to know what?
Detective Harris looked at me.
“Your choice.””
I looked at Marcus.
He looked uncertain.
But he nodded.
“Whatever happens, we face it together.””
I walked into the room.
Daniel smiled.
Not warmly.
Like he had been waiting.
“Claire.””
I hated how familiar my name sounded coming from him.
“Why did you do this?””
He leaned back.
“I didn't hurt you.””
“You helped Rachel.””
“I showed her the truth.””
“You manipulated her.””
Daniel smiled.
“Did I?””
I stared at him.
“Yes.””
He shook his head.
“Your sister already hated you.””
My jaw tightened.
“Don't talk about her.””
“Why? Because it's uncomfortable?””
I said nothing.
Daniel leaned forward.
“You always believed Rachel was jealous because she wanted your life.””
“Isn't she?””
“No.””
His eyes sharpened.
“She was jealous because she knew something you didn't.””
A chill moved through me.
“What?””
Daniel looked toward Marcus through the glass.
“She knew your husband wasn't honest.””
My heart pounded.
“You're still doing this.””
“Am I?””
He pushed a paper across the table.
I didn't touch it.
“What is that?””
“Proof.””
I stared at it.
“What proof?””
“Proof that Marcus didn't just hide a car accident.””
My breathing stopped.
“He hid the person who was in the other car.””
I looked at him.
“What are you talking about?””
Daniel whispered:
“The victim was Thomas Reed.””
I frowned.
“That doesn't make sense.””
“It does.””
My mind raced.
Thomas was the friend.
The person Marcus paid.
The person involved.
Daniel continued.
“Thomas wasn't driving the other car.””
I felt sick.
“Then who was?””
Daniel smiled.
“Your sister.””
Everything stopped.
No.
Impossible.
“That’s a lie.””
“Ask Marcus.””
I stood up.
“You're lying.””
Daniel didn't move.
“You really think Rachel attacked you because she was jealous?””
I didn't answer.
“Your sister has spent years protecting one secret.””
My hands shook.
“What secret?””
Daniel leaned back.
“The night your husband changed his life…”
He paused.
“Rachel was there.””
The door opened.
Detective Harris stepped inside.
“Claire.””
I turned.
His expression told me something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Because behind him stood Marcus.
And he wasn't looking at Daniel.
May you like
He was looking at me.
Like he knew the truth had finally arrived.
