Chapter 8: The Woman Who Knew Too Much
I spent the entire night replaying Marcus's words.
From the truth.
That phrase haunted me.
Because everyone who lied to me used the same excuse.
They weren't hiding things to hurt me.
They were protecting me.
Marcus.
Evelyn.
Even Natalie, in her own way.
Everyone thought they knew what was best for me.
Nobody asked what I wanted.
Nobody asked if I could handle the truth.
By morning, I had made a decision.
I was done asking people to explain themselves.
I was going to find the answers myself.
The first place I went was Marcus's old company.
I had never visited his office before.
I had no reason to.
Why would I?
I trusted him.
That was the mistake.
The receptionist looked surprised when she saw me.
"Mrs. Johnson?""
I nodded.
"I need to speak with someone about Daniel Carter.""
Her expression changed.
That was enough.
People remembered.
Even after ten years.
Especially after ten years.
A man named Robert came out a few minutes later.
He was probably in his fifties.
Gray hair.
Tired eyes.
"You knew Daniel?""
I asked.
He nodded.
"I worked with him.""
"What happened?""
Robert looked around.
Then lowered his voice.
"Why are you asking now?""
"Because I just found out my husband has spent twelve years hiding his past.""
Robert didn't look surprised.
That hurt.
"You knew?""
He sighed.
"Some of us suspected.""
"Suspected what?""
He hesitated.
"That Marcus wasn't telling the whole story.""
My stomach tightened.
"What story did he tell?""
"That Daniel stole money.""
I stared.
"And did he?""
Robert shook his head.
"No.""
The answer was immediate.
"Daniel was the most honest person in that company.""
"Then why did Marcus say he stole?""
Robert looked uncomfortable.
"Because dead men can't defend themselves.""
The words made me cold.
"Did you know Vanessa?""
Robert nodded.
"She came around after Daniel died.""
"Why?""
"Because she was looking for answers.""
"What answers?""
Robert looked at me.
"The same ones you're looking for.""
I felt my phone vibrate.
A message.
Unknown number.
I opened it.
A photo.
My blood froze.
It was Marcus.
Standing outside a warehouse.
The date was ten years earlier.
The same night Daniel died.
Under the picture was a message:
Ask him what happened after this photo was taken.
I looked at Robert.
"Who sent this?""
He didn't answer.
Because he knew.
"Who?""
Robert whispered:
"Vanessa.""
I met Vanessa in a parking garage that evening.
She insisted.
"No public places.""
Her voice sounded exhausted.
When I saw her, I understood why.
She looked nothing like the confident woman from my imagination.
She looked scared.
"I thought you were missing.""
"I needed Marcus to think I was.""
"Why?""
She looked around.
"Because he gets dangerous when he feels cornered.""
The words made my stomach tighten.
"Are you saying Marcus hurt you?""
Vanessa looked down.
"Not physically.""
A pause.
"But emotionally? Mentally?""
She laughed bitterly.
"Marcus Johnson is an expert at making people question themselves.""
I knew exactly what she meant.
"He told me you were unstable.""
Vanessa smiled sadly.
"He told me you were perfect.""
I frowned.
"What?""
"He said you were everything I wasn't.""
The words hurt even though they shouldn't.
Because Marcus had done the same thing to both of us.
Created comparisons.
Created competition.
Created confusion.
"Why did you contact Natalie?""
"Because I needed someone close to him to listen.""
"Why not me?""
Vanessa looked at me.
"Because I knew he would convince you I was crazy.""
I didn't respond.
Because she was right.
"Tell me what happened that night.""
Vanessa became quiet.
"The night Daniel died?""
I nodded.
She took a deep breath.
"Daniel discovered Marcus was covering up his father's crimes.""
"What crimes?""
"Fraud. Bribery. Illegal contracts.""
"And Marcus?""
"He was involved.""
I felt sick.
"No.""
Vanessa looked at me.
"You still want to defend him.""
I looked away.
Maybe I did.
Because accepting the truth meant accepting twelve years had been built on a lie.
"What happened at the warehouse?""
Vanessa's voice lowered.
"Daniel confronted Marcus.""
"And?""
"They fought.""
"Marcus pushed him?""
She didn't answer.
That scared me.
"Vanessa.""
Her eyes filled with tears.
"I saw Daniel fall.""
My heart stopped.
"Did Marcus push him?""
She whispered:
"I don't know.""
I exhaled.
The uncertainty was unbearable.
"But I know one thing.""
"What?""
"Marcus lied about what happened afterward.""
My phone buzzed.
Another message.
This time from Marcus.
We need to talk. Now.
I looked at Vanessa.
She saw the name.
"Don't go alone.""
I looked at her.
"Why?""
Her answer was quiet.
"Because I spent ten years believing I could fix him.""
May you like
She stepped back.
"And I learned too late that some people don't want to be fixed.""
