Chapter 6: The Evidence Hidden For Years
Darkness swallowed the room.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
The only sound was the rain hitting the glass walls.
Then my mother's voice broke through.
"Nathaniel?""
"I'm here.""
I reached for her hand.
She grabbed mine immediately.
The emergency lights flickered on.
But something had changed.
Victoria was gone.
The front door was open.
And the envelope containing my father's note had disappeared.
I ran toward the door.
Empty hallway.
No footsteps.
No elevator sound.
Nothing.
She had vanished.
Daniel stood behind me.
"She's faster than she looks.""
I turned.
"How did she get inside?""
Nobody answered.
That was the problem.
My penthouse had security systems.
Private elevators.
Biometric access.
Nobody entered without permission.
Then I looked at Isabella.
She looked away.
And I understood.
"You gave her access.""
She didn't deny it.
"Yes.""
The betrayal felt almost worse because it wasn't surprising anymore.
"How long?""
"Since before we met.""
I stared at her.
"Why?""
She looked down.
"Because she needed someone close to you.""
My voice became quiet.
"So that's what I was.""
Isabella looked at me.
"Nathaniel—"
"No.""
I shook my head.
"Don't say my name like you still know me.""
She swallowed.
For once, she had no perfect response.
The next morning, Daniel helped us search through old records.
He explained that Victoria had spent decades controlling information.
She didn't just destroy my father's reputation.
She destroyed anyone who got close to the truth.
"Your father was going to expose her," Daniel said.
We sat in my office.
The same room where I had once planned wedding details.
Now it was filled with evidence of betrayal.
"Why didn't he?""
I asked.
Daniel looked at my mother.
"Because he loved Evelyn.""
My mother looked down.
"He wanted to protect me.""
"From what?""
She answered quietly.
"From becoming a target.""
I felt anger rising.
"You should have told me.""
"I know.""
"No, Mom.""
I stood.
"You don't know.""
My voice cracked.
"I spent years believing everything was normal.""
She looked at me.
"I watched you build a life with a woman who wanted to destroy us.""
The words hurt.
Because they were true.
My mother cried silently.
And I hated that part of me still wanted to comfort her.
Even after everything.
Daniel placed another file on the desk.
"There is something else.""
I opened it.
Inside was a report.
A private investigation.
The subject:
Isabella Reeves.
My stomach dropped.
"You investigated her?""
Daniel nodded.
"After her mother disappeared from the company records, I spent years trying to prove what happened.""
I read the pages.
Isabella had followed my family for years.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
She knew where I went.
Who I trusted.
What I valued.
The final page contained a note.
*Target: Nathaniel Carter.*
I closed the folder.
"I was a target.""
Daniel didn't answer.
Because he didn't need to.
Later that afternoon, I found Isabella alone on the balcony.
The same balcony where my mother almost died.
She stood looking over the city.
"You shouldn't be out here.""
She didn't turn.
"I know.""
I stayed near the door.
"Why did you really choose me?""
A long silence.
Then:
"Because you were kind.""
I almost laughed.
"That's your answer?""
"No.""
She turned.
Her eyes were red.
"Because you were the only person in your family who didn't know what happened.""
I said nothing.
"I hated your last name.""
Her voice shook.
"But then I met you.""
She looked away.
"And you ruined my plan.""
"How?""
"Because you weren't like them.""
The honesty made it worse.
"You still tried to hurt my mother.""
"I know.""
"Why?""
She whispered:
"Because Victoria had something over me.""
"What?""
She looked toward the door.
Then back at me.
"My mother didn't just ruin your family.""
A cold feeling returned.
"What did she do?""
Isabella took a breath.
"She killed someone.""
The world stopped.
"Who?""
Isabella's eyes filled with tears.
"My father.""
Before I could respond, my phone rang.
Marcus.
I answered.
His voice was urgent.
"Nathaniel, you need to come to the office.""
"Why?""
"I found the original company records.""
"About my father?""
"No.""
A pause.
"About your mother.""
I looked at Evelyn through the glass.
Marcus continued.
"And Nathaniel... there's something strange.""
"What?""
"The documents prove your mother was innocent.""
I exhaled.
"Then what's wrong?""
His voice lowered.
"Someone altered the documents after your father died.""
I frowned.
"Who?""
Another pause.
Then:
"The person who changed them was someone who had access to your family home.""
My eyes moved toward Isabella.
Then toward my mother.
May you like
Marcus whispered:
"Nathaniel, the signature belongs to you.""
