Chapter 7 - The Truth About the Night I Lost Her
My mother finally confessed.
Not everything.
But enough.
She had been terrified of Marcus.
Three years before my father died, Marcus had begun blackmailing her.
He had evidence of financial crimes.
He threatened to expose her.
My mother panicked.
When my father discovered the truth, he confronted Marcus.
The argument led to the night of my father's death.
“He had a heart attack,” my mother said.
“Because of Marcus?”
She looked at me.
“Because of me.”
I stared.
“What did you do?”
“I gave your father the wrong medication.”
Silence.
Clara covered her mouth.
My mother began crying.
“I didn't know it would kill him.”
“You knew he was sick.”
“Yes.”
“You knew the medication was dangerous.”
“I thought it would make him unconscious.”
My stomach turned.
“And Marcus?”
“He told me what to give him.”
I couldn't speak.
My mother looked broken.
“I never meant for him to die.”
“But he did.”
“Yes.”
“And then you helped Marcus destroy my marriage.”
“I thought if I controlled your life, I could protect you.”
“You didn't protect me.”
“I know.”
“You took Clara from me.”
“I know.”
“You took my son.”
“I know.”
Her voice broke.
“I was afraid.”
I stared at her.
“You were afraid for three years.”
“Yes.”
“And Clara?”
“She was afraid too.”
That was the difference.
Clara had been afraid and still protected our child.
My mother had been afraid and destroyed everyone around her.
I turned away.
“Where is Marcus?”
“I don't know.”
“Don't lie.”
“I swear.”
She reached into a drawer.
“I kept this.”
A key.
“What does it open?”
“My husband's private vault.”
We found the vault beneath the old estate.
Inside were documents proving Marcus's crimes.
There was also a list of names.
People he had paid.
Judges.
Accountants.
Business executives.
Security personnel.
And one name I recognized.
My own attorney.
He had been working for Marcus.
I called Victor.
“Find him.”
We found him two hours later.
He confessed immediately.
Marcus had been planning to force me into bankruptcy.
Then, once I was financially vulnerable, he intended to seize my company through a series of fraudulent legal claims.
The final step was Clara.
“She was supposed to disappear,” my attorney said.
I felt cold.
“Forever?”
He nodded.
“Marcus said if she disappeared, the child would become vulnerable.”
My fists tightened.
“Where is Marcus now?”
The attorney looked terrified.
“I don't know.”
Victor entered.
“Boss.”
I turned.
“What?”
“We found his location.”
My heart stopped.
“Where?”
Victor hesitated.
“Your warehouse.”
I understood immediately.
Marcus wasn't trying to escape.
He was coming for the company.
And perhaps more importantly, he knew Clara was there.
I called her.
May you like
No answer.
I ran.
