Chapter 4: The Truth My Mother Hid
My mother sat down slowly.
Like her legs could no longer support her.
I looked between them.
"What happened?""
Neither woman spoke.
The silence was worse than any answer.
"Mom.""
Evelyn closed her eyes.
"I wanted to protect you.""
"From what?""
She looked at Isabella.
"From the truth.""
Isabella crossed her arms.
For the first time, she looked less like a victim and more like someone waiting for revenge.
"Tell him.""
My mother swallowed.
"Isabella's father worked for your father.""
I frowned.
"I know that.""
"No.""
Her voice shook.
"You don't know everything.""
She looked at me.
"Twenty-five years ago, your father discovered someone was stealing money from the company.""
I waited.
"Isabella's father was blamed.""
I looked at Isabella.
Her expression didn't change.
"He lost everything," my mother continued.
"He lost his job. His reputation. His home.""
I whispered:
"And then?""
My mother looked down.
"He died two years later.""
The room became heavy.
Isabella stepped forward.
"Your father destroyed my family.""
I looked at her.
"And you decided to destroy mine?""
Her eyes flashed.
"I wanted justice.""
"Justice?""
I pointed toward the terrace.
"You almost killed my mother.""
She didn't deny it.
That scared me more.
"I needed her afraid.""
My mother stared at her.
"Why?""
"Because she knows what really happened.""
I turned.
"What does that mean?""
My mother's hands trembled.
"Nathaniel...""
"No.""
My voice cracked.
"No more secrets.""
For years, my mother had been the person who taught me honesty.
Now I was discovering she had hidden the biggest truth of my life.
"What happened twenty-five years ago?""
She looked at Isabella.
Then at me.
"Your father didn't steal from anyone.""
I waited.
"He was framed.""
I felt dizzy.
"What?""
My mother continued.
"Someone inside the company created fake records. They made it look like Isabella's father was responsible.""
"Who?""
She didn't answer.
Because she didn't need to.
Her eyes moved toward Isabella.
And Isabella smiled.
Not happily.
Sadly.
"You see?""
She whispered.
"Even now, she can't say it.""
My phone rang.
Marcus.
I answered.
His voice was urgent.
"Nathaniel, where are you?""
"At home.""
"Listen carefully. I found something in your father's old files.""
I stood.
"What?""
A pause.
Then:
"There was another person involved in the fraud.""
My heart raced.
"Who?""
Marcus lowered his voice.
"The documents were signed by someone with authority over the company.""
I looked at my mother.
Then Isabella.
"Who?""
Marcus answered.
And the name he said made the entire room freeze.
"Your mother, Evelyn Carter.""
The call ended.
Nobody moved.
My mother covered her mouth.
Isabella stared at me.
And for the first time all night, she looked afraid.
Not because she had been exposed.
Because something had happened that even she didn't expect.
I slowly lowered the phone.
"Mom...""
She looked at me with tears in her eyes.
"Nathaniel, I can explain.""
But before I could speak, the front door opened.
A man walked into the penthouse.
A man I had never seen before.
He placed a folder on the table.
Then he looked directly at Isabella.
"You're too late.""
Isabella's face went pale.
"Daniel...""
May you like
The man smiled.
"The truth is finally coming out.""
