Chapter 8: The Family That Wanted Him Gone
Marcus stared at the document until the words blurred.
His father’s signature.
His father’s plan.
His father’s betrayal.
For years, Marcus had believed his father was proud of him.
That everything he built had been a continuation of the family legacy.
But now, he was discovering that the people closest to him had been preparing his downfall.
“Why?””
The question was barely audible.
Vanessa looked away.
“Because he thought you were weak.””
Marcus laughed quietly.
“My father thought I was weak?””
“He thought you let emotions control you.””
Marcus looked at Nia.
He understood.
His love for his daughter had always been seen as a flaw by people who valued power more than family.
Daniel sat down.
“I didn’t know about your father’s part.””
Marcus looked at him.
“But you knew about everything else.””
Daniel lowered his head.
“Yes.””
For the first time, Daniel looked ashamed.
“I thought I was helping stabilize things.””
Marcus shook his head.
“You helped hurt a child.””
Daniel nodded.
“I know.””
Nia sat beside Caleb.
The two children looked exhausted.
They had spent days carrying secrets adults should have carried.
Marcus walked to the window.
Outside, the rain had stopped.
But he could still remember Nia standing there.
Cold.
Alone.
Waiting for someone to choose her.
He turned around.
“I want everyone to tell the truth.””
Nobody spoke.
“No more secrets.””
Vanessa looked nervous.
Marcus continued.
“Why did my father want control of the company?””
Daniel answered.
“Because he believed you would destroy it.””
Marcus frowned.
“Why?””
Daniel looked at him.
“Because you wanted to change everything.””
Marcus remembered.
Years earlier, he had promised employees better treatment.
More benefits.
A different company culture.
His father hated that.
“He called it weakness.””
Daniel nodded.
“He believed fear created loyalty.””
Marcus looked at Vanessa.
“And you agreed?””
She didn’t answer.
That was the answer.
Marcus walked away.
Then his phone buzzed.
A message.
From an unknown number.
He opened it.
A picture appeared.
It was Nia.
Taken from outside the house.
His blood went cold.
Another message followed.
*You should have left the past alone.*
Marcus immediately locked the phone.
“Dad?””
Caleb noticed his face.
“What happened?””
Marcus forced himself to stay calm.
“Nothing.””
But everyone knew it wasn’t true.
Daniel stood.
“Let me see.””
Marcus handed him the phone.
Daniel looked at the picture.
His expression changed.
“This isn’t good.””
Marcus stared.
“Who sent it?””
Daniel didn’t answer.
“Daniel.””
Finally, he said:
“I recognize the number.””
“Who?””
Daniel looked toward Vanessa.
Then whispered:
“Someone who should be impossible.””
Marcus felt a chill.
“Who?””
Daniel handed the phone back.
“It’s your father’s old number.””
Nobody moved.
Marcus looked at the screen.
Impossible.
His father had been dead for five years.
But the message was real.
And someone was using that number.
Then another message arrived.
This time, there was no picture.
Only words.
*Ask Vanessa what happened the night your father died.*
Marcus slowly looked up.
Vanessa’s face had gone completely white.
“You know.””
Marcus’s voice was quiet.
“What happened that night?””
Vanessa didn’t answer.
“Nobody leaves this room until I know the truth.””
Her eyes filled with fear.
Because whatever secret she had hidden…
It was bigger than the custody papers.
Bigger than the company.
Bigger than the betrayal.
Finally, Vanessa whispered:
“Your father didn’t die the way you think he did.””
Marcus felt the ground disappear beneath him.
May you like
And then she said the one sentence that changed everything.
“I was there when it happened.””
