Chapter 8: The Woman He Married
We drove straight to the old church.
It had been abandoned for years.
The roof was partially collapsed.
The windows were boarded.
But Michael knew exactly where to go.
Behind the altar was a narrow wooden panel.
He pried it open.
Inside was a metal box.
I felt my pulse hammering.
Michael pulled it free.
Before he could open it, headlights swept across the broken windows.
Cars.
Three of them.
Michael swore.
“They followed us.””
Laura stepped back.
“How?””
Michael looked at me.
“Your phone.””
I pulled it out.
“Tracking?””
“Probably.””
Laura's face went pale.
“Jason.””
I nodded.
The cars stopped outside.
Doors opened.
Voices echoed through the darkness.
Michael opened the box.
Inside were contracts.
Photographs.
Birth records.
And one marriage certificate.
I picked it up.
My father's name.
Then the bride's name.
*Rebecca Parker.*
I stared.
“Parker?””
Michael nodded.
“My mother.””
I looked at the photograph attached to the certificate.
It was the same woman from the picture beside my father.
“You said my father had another family.””
“He did.””
I looked at the date.
The marriage had taken place two years before my parents married.
Before I was born.
I stared at Michael.
“Then why did everyone say my mother was his first wife?””
“Because he never told you about Rebecca.””
Laura whispered,
“Why?””
Michael's expression hardened.
“Because Rebecca knew about the money.””
A crash sounded outside.
Someone had broken a window.
We didn't have much time.
Michael grabbed the documents.
“We leave now.””
We ran through the side door.
A man shouted behind us.
“Mark!””
Jason.
I stopped.
Michael grabbed me.
“Keep moving.””
Jason appeared in the doorway.
He looked almost calm.
“Mark, this is getting ridiculous.””
I turned.
“You forged my signature.””
He spread his hands.
“No.””
I held up the trust papers.
“You stole from my father.””
“No.””
“You used my wife.””
He smiled.
“That part is true.””
Laura flinched.
Jason looked at her.
“You were supposed to keep him calm.””
“I trusted you.””
“That was your mistake.””
He stepped forward.
I wanted to hit him.
Every muscle in my body tightened.
But Michael moved between us.
“You don't get to touch him.””
Jason laughed.
“Michael Parker.””
He said the name like he had been waiting years to say it.
“You finally crawled out.””
Michael's face changed.
“You knew where I was.””
“Of course.””
“Then why wait?””
“Because I needed Mark.””
Jason pointed at me.
“He owns the last piece.””
“What piece?””
“The controlling interest.””
I looked at the documents.
“The trust?””
Jason nodded.
“Your father split the assets.””
Michael frowned.
“Fifty percent to me.””
“Thirty-eight.””
Michael stared.
Jason smiled.
“You thought your father was generous.””
He pulled a folded document from his coat.
“He wasn't.””
He held it up.
“There's another amendment.””
I stepped closer.
“Let me see it.””
Jason shook his head.
“You'll see it tomorrow.””
“Why?””
“Because tomorrow, you will sign over everything.””
I laughed.
“You already forged my signature.””
“This time, you'll do it willingly.””
I stared at him.
“Why would I?””
He looked toward Laura.
Then toward the road.
A black SUV was approaching.
Jason smiled.
“Because your mother is inside.””
My blood turned cold.
The SUV stopped.
The rear door opened.
Two men stepped out.
Then my mother appeared.
Her hands were tied.
“Mark!””
I started forward.
Michael grabbed me.
“No.””
Jason raised a finger.
“Exactly.””
My mother looked at me.
“Don't sign anything.””
Jason pulled a gun from inside his jacket.
Everything stopped.
Laura screamed.
Michael stepped in front of me.
Jason shook his head.
“One wrong move and she dies.””
My mother stared at me.
Tears streamed down her face.
“Mark, don't—”
Jason pressed the weapon against her.
“You have until sunrise.””
Then he looked at me.
“Bring the original trust.””
May you like
His eyes moved to the box in Michael's hands.
“Or your mother pays for your father's secrets.””
