Chapter 2: The Secret in the Guest Bedroom
Marcus stared at his son.
"You installed a camera in your mother's old bedroom?""
Ethan nodded.
"Yes.""
"Without telling me?""
"I tried to tell you.""
"When?""
"Last Tuesday. You were on a conference call, and Vanessa told me to stop bothering you.""
I turned sharply.
"That's not true.""
Ethan ignored me.
"She said I was becoming obsessed with watching her.""
Marcus looked confused.
"Why would you put a camera there in the first place?""
Ethan hesitated.
Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
"Because I found something in that room.""
"What?""
"A document.""
I felt a cold sensation spread through my chest.
Ethan unlocked his phone.
"Three months ago, I went looking for Mom's old jewelry box. Dad had asked me to find her wedding ring because he wanted to give it to my grandmother.""
Marcus nodded slowly.
"I remember.""
"The box was inside the wardrobe. But there was another envelope behind it.""
"What kind of envelope?""
"An envelope from a law firm.""
I forced a laugh.
"Lots of people receive letters from law firms, Ethan.""
He glanced at me.
"This one had Dad's name on it.""
Marcus's expression changed.
"What did it say?""
Ethan looked down at his phone.
"I didn't read the whole thing at first. I thought it was some old business document. But then I saw the words 'marital property' and 'beneficiary designation.''"
Marcus took a step closer.
"Why didn't you bring it to me?""
"I tried. You told me to stop going through your private things.""
Marcus looked uncomfortable.
Ethan continued.
"So I made a copy. And I started paying attention.""
I shook my head.
"This is ridiculous. He's been spying on me because he can't accept that you remarried.""
Marcus raised a hand.
"Vanessa, let him finish.""
I pressed my lips together.
Ethan opened a photograph.
It showed a document with Marcus's signature at the bottom.
"What is this?"" Marcus asked.
"A draft of a new estate agreement.""
Marcus stared at the image.
"I've never seen this.""
"Look at the date.""
Marcus leaned closer.
The document was dated six months earlier.
His signature appeared on the final page.
But the most important part was the beneficiary section.
It named me as the primary beneficiary of nearly everything Marcus owned.
His house.
His investment accounts.
His private company shares.
And a life insurance policy worth several million dollars.
Marcus's face lost its color.
"Where did you get this?""
"From the envelope in Mom's room.""
I laughed nervously.
"Marcus, this could be a draft from your attorney. It's normal to review these things.""
"Why is my signature on it?""
"You sign hundreds of documents.""
"Not documents I haven't read.""
I stepped toward him.
"Darling, maybe your office sent it for review.""
He didn't answer.
Instead, he examined the photograph.
Then he looked at Ethan.
"Is this why you installed the camera?""
Ethan nodded.
"Not exactly.""
He opened another recording.
The screen showed the empty guest bedroom.
A few seconds passed.
Then I appeared.
I was wearing a cream-colored blouse and holding a black leather folder.
Marcus leaned closer.
"That's Vanessa.""
The recording showed me walking toward the wardrobe.
I opened the bottom drawer, removed the jewelry box, and placed it on the bed.
Then I pulled out the envelope.
Marcus's breathing changed.
I remembered that afternoon.
I had believed the room was empty.
I had checked the hallway twice.
Apparently, I hadn't checked the ceiling.
On the screen, I removed several papers from the envelope.
I photographed them.
Then I took out my phone and made a call.
Marcus increased the volume.
My recorded voice filled the dining room.
"Yes, I found it.""
A pause.
"No, he hasn't seen it.""
Another pause.
"I know what the document says. That's why I need you to hurry.""
Marcus's head turned slowly toward me.
"Who were you talking to?""
I felt my heart pounding against my ribs.
"That recording is private.""
"Who were you talking to?""
"I don't remember.""
Ethan laughed.
"Of course you don't.""
On the video, I continued speaking.
"I don't care what the attorney says. If Marcus changes his mind, we lose everything.""
A pause.
"Then we'll make sure he doesn't change his mind.""
The recording ended.
Nobody moved.
Marcus's face had become frighteningly still.
"What does that mean?""
I shook my head.
"I was talking about something else.""
"What?""
"My divorce settlement.""
"You're married to me.""
"I know!""
My voice cracked.
I immediately lowered it.
"I meant my previous marriage. You know how complicated everything was.""
Marcus stared at me.
"Your previous marriage ended six years ago.""
"I was discussing an old legal matter.""
"Then why were you hiding my estate documents?""
I took a step toward him.
"Because Ethan was going through your private belongings!""
Ethan raised his phone.
"She was the one in Mom's room.""
Marcus looked between us.
Then he turned back to me.
"Who were you speaking to?""
I shook my head.
"Please don't do this.""
"Who?""
"Marcus, I love you.""
He didn't move.
"I asked you a question.""
I started crying again.
But this time, the tears didn't seem to change anything.
"His name is Daniel.""
Marcus frowned.
"Daniel who?""
"Daniel Reed. He's a lawyer.""
"What lawyer?""
"He helped me with some paperwork.""
"What paperwork?""
I looked down.
"I can't explain everything right now.""
Marcus let out a quiet breath.
"Then maybe I should call him.""
"No!""
The word escaped too quickly.
Marcus looked at me.
I tried to recover.
"I mean, it's late. He won't appreciate being disturbed.""
Marcus checked his watch.
"It's 9:17.""
"He has a family.""
"Vanessa, I own the firm that employs him.""
The room went silent.
I had forgotten that detail.
Daniel Reed was a junior attorney at Marcus's company law firm.
He had been recommended to me by a mutual acquaintance.
Or so I had told Marcus.
In reality, Daniel and I had met long before my marriage.
He had helped me understand Marcus's financial structure, his assets, and the complicated estate arrangements left behind by his first wife.
I had promised him a substantial payment when everything was finished.
And everything was supposed to be finished tonight.
Marcus picked up his phone.
I reached for his wrist.
"Don't call him.""
He looked at my hand.
"Move.""
I released him.
He dialed.
The phone rang twice.
Then a man's voice answered.
"Mr. Cole?""
"Daniel, I need you at my house.""
A pause.
"Is something wrong?""
"Yes. I want to discuss a document you prepared six months ago.""
Another pause.
"What document?""
Marcus glanced at the photograph on Ethan's phone.
"The revised estate agreement.""
The silence on the other end lasted several seconds.
Then Daniel spoke.
"Mr. Cole, I think we should discuss this in person.""
Marcus's expression hardened.
"That's exactly what I'm asking you to do.""
"Of course.""
"And bring every version of the document.""
"Every version?""
"Yes.""
Another pause.
Then Daniel asked quietly:
"Is Vanessa there?""
My stomach dropped.
Marcus looked directly at me.
"Yes. She's standing right beside me.""
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
Then he said something that made my blood turn to ice.
"Mr. Cole, don't let her leave the house.""
Marcus straightened.
"Why?""
Daniel's voice became urgent.
"Because if she's already discovered what was in the original file, you need to know what she was planning to do next.""
The call disconnected.
Marcus slowly lowered his phone.
I couldn't breathe.
Ethan looked at me.
And for the first time that night, he smiled.
May you like
Not because he was happy.
Because he finally knew his father was listening.
