Chapter 6: The Truth Hidden In The Messages
Marcus spent the next morning in his office.
But he wasn’t working.
He was searching.
Every message.
Every document.
Every transaction.
Every conversation connected to Vanessa’s plan.
The person’s name kept appearing.
Ethan Cole.
His business partner.
His closest friend for fifteen years.
Marcus stared at the screen.
“No.””
The word came out quietly.
But deep down, he already knew.
Ethan had access to the legal documents.
Ethan knew Marcus’s schedule.
Ethan knew exactly when he would be away.
That wasn’t a coincidence.
The office door opened.
Caleb walked in.
“Dad?””
Marcus quickly closed the laptop.
Then he stopped himself.
No more hiding things from his children.
“Come here.””
Caleb sat down.
“What did you find?””
Marcus looked at his son.
“I found another person involved.””
Caleb’s face changed.
“Who?””
“Ethan.””
Caleb frowned.
“The guy who always brings us gifts?””
Marcus nodded.
“Yes.””
Caleb looked down.
“I never liked him.””
Marcus almost smiled.
“Why?””
“He was always asking about Nia.””
Marcus looked up.
“What kind of questions?””
Caleb hesitated.
“He asked if she was difficult.””
A cold feeling moved through Marcus.
“What else?””
“He asked if you were planning to send her away.””
Marcus leaned back.
The pieces were connecting.
They weren’t just trying to remove Nia.
They were building a story.
A story where Marcus was an absent father.
A story where Nia was an unwanted child.
A story where Vanessa looked like the victim.
Marcus returned home that evening.
Nia was sitting at the dining table doing homework.
She looked up immediately.
“Daddy?””
Marcus smiled gently.
“I’m here.””
She looked relieved.
That broke his heart.
Because a child shouldn’t look surprised when her parent comes home.
He sat beside her.
“Can I ask you something?””
She nodded.
“Did Ethan ever say anything strange to you?””
Nia became quiet.
Then she slowly closed her notebook.
“Yes.””
Marcus felt his chest tighten.
“What did he say?””
“He asked if I liked living here.””
“And?””
“I said yes.””
“What did he say?””
Nia looked uncomfortable.
“He said sometimes people have to accept when they don’t belong somewhere.””
Marcus closed his eyes.
Another piece.
Another wound.
That night, Marcus confronted Vanessa.
She was packing a suitcase.
Not because she planned to leave.
Because she thought it made her look like the victim.
“You’re really going to pretend you’re the one being hurt?””
She turned.
“I have nowhere to go.””
Marcus stared.
“You planned to take my daughter away.””
“She’s not your only responsibility.””
“She’s my daughter.””
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“And I’m your wife.””
“You stopped acting like family.””
Her face changed.
“You know what your problem is, Marcus?””
He said nothing.
“You think because you earn money, you’re automatically the hero.””
Marcus stepped closer.
“No.””
He pointed toward the hallway.
“I think because I’m her father, I should have protected her.””
Vanessa looked away.
Then she said something unexpected.
“You want the truth?””
Marcus waited.
“I hated that she reminded you of your first wife.””
The room went silent.
Nia’s mother.
The woman Marcus had loved before Vanessa.
Vanessa continued.
“Every time you looked at Nia, you saw her.””
Marcus stared.
“So this was jealousy?””
“No.””
Vanessa’s voice cracked.
“It was feeling like I would always come second.””
Marcus shook his head.
“You punished a child because you were insecure.””
Vanessa wiped her eyes.
But Marcus couldn’t tell if the tears were real.
Then his phone rang.
The caller ID appeared.
Ethan.
Marcus answered.
“What do you want?””
A pause.
Then Ethan spoke.
“You found out.””
Marcus’s eyes narrowed.
“You knew I would.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Ethan sighed.
“Because you left me no choice.””
Marcus stood still.
“No choice?””
“You built everything. The company. The reputation. The perfect family image.””
Ethan’s voice became colder.
“But everyone knows the truth.””
“What truth?””
“That you’re not as perfect as everyone thinks.””
Marcus looked toward Nia’s room.
His daughter.
His reason to keep fighting.
Ethan continued.
“You should have taken care of your family.””
Marcus gripped the phone.
“You helped my wife remove my daughter.””
“I helped expose your failure.””
Marcus’s voice lowered.
“If you come near my children—”
Ethan interrupted.
“Your children?””
A pause.
Then:
“Are you sure Nia is the only secret Vanessa kept from you?””
Marcus froze.
The room suddenly went silent.
“What are you talking about?””
Ethan laughed softly.
“You really don’t know.””
Marcus’s heart started racing.
“What secret?””
But Ethan had already ended the call.
Marcus stood there holding the phone.
Then he heard something behind him.
A quiet voice.
“Daddy?””
He turned.
Nia was standing in the hallway.
Her face was pale.
“I think…”
May you like
She swallowed.
“I know what he’s talking about.””
