Chapter 8: The Lake House
The lake house looked exactly as Marcus remembered it.
Gray siding.
Black shutters.
A wooden dock stretching into dark water.
His father had brought him there every summer when he was a child.
Marcus parked at the end of the gravel road.
Evelyn remained in the passenger seat.
“You said you'd come alone,” she whispered.
“I brought you because you're part of this.””
“I shouldn't have come.””
Marcus looked at her.
“Neither should Vanessa.””
The house was dark.
No cars.
No lights.
No movement.
Marcus stepped out.
Evelyn followed.
“Marcus.””
He stopped.
“If you see Derrick, don't confront him.””
“He has Vanessa.””
“And Isaiah.””
Marcus turned.
“What?””
Evelyn nodded.
“Derrick took the baby.””
Marcus's face hardened.
“Then we're going inside.””
They approached the front door.
It was unlocked.
Marcus pushed it open.
The smell hit him first.
Old wood.
Dust.
And something faintly metallic.
Blood.
His breathing changed.
“Vanessa?””
Nothing.
They entered the living room.
A chair had been overturned.
A lamp lay broken on the floor.
There were marks on the wall.
Marcus followed them toward the kitchen.
Then he heard crying.
A baby.
“Isaiah.””
He ran.
The sound came from upstairs.
Marcus climbed the stairs two at a time.
At the end of the hallway, a bedroom door stood open.
Inside was a crib.
Empty.
The crying had stopped.
Marcus froze.
A voice came from behind him.
“You shouldn't have come.””
He turned.
Derrick stood at the opposite end of the hallway.
Marcus's fists tightened.
“Where's Vanessa?””
Derrick smiled without warmth.
“Still asking the wrong questions.””
“Where is my wife?””
“She isn't your wife.””
Marcus stepped forward.
“You've lied to me.””
“So has everyone else.””
“Where's the baby?””
Derrick's expression hardened.
“Safe.””
“Give him to me.””
“You don't understand what you're involved in.””
Marcus laughed bitterly.
“My father. Vanessa. You.
The trust. My daughter. The fake pregnancy.””
He pointed at Derrick.
“I'm done being the last person to know.””
Derrick stared at him.
“You want the truth?””
“Yes.””
“Then ask your aunt about Rachel.””
Marcus glanced toward Evelyn.
She stood frozen on the stairs.
Derrick looked at her.
“You never told him.””
Evelyn whispered, “I tried.””
“No.””
Derrick's voice became sharper.
“You protected Robert.””
Marcus turned to Evelyn.
“What happened?””
She closed her eyes.
“Rachel was driving.””
“Driving where?””
“To meet your father.””
“Why?””
“She had evidence.””
“Evidence of what?””
“Derrick.””
Marcus looked at him.
Derrick said nothing.
Evelyn continued.
“She knew Derrick had been stealing from Robert.””
Derrick laughed.
“That's not what she knew.””
Evelyn looked terrified.
“She knew about the trust.””
Marcus frowned.
“What trust?””
“The original family trust.””
Derrick stepped closer.
“Your father didn't create it.””
Marcus stared.
“What?””
“The Carter family had money before Robert.””
Derrick's voice was low.
“There was a private trust worth millions.””
Marcus shook his head.
“Why didn't I know about it?””
“Because your father hid it.””
“From me?””
“From everyone.””
Evelyn interrupted.
“Robert was afraid Derrick would inherit it.””
Marcus looked confused.
“Why would Derrick inherit anything?””
Derrick's eyes hardened.
“Because I was the firstborn.””
Marcus went still.
Evelyn nodded.
“Robert's father created the trust for his first son.””
Marcus stared at Derrick.
“So the money belongs to you?””
“No.””
Derrick shook his head.
“Not anymore.””
“Why?””
“Because Robert changed the documents.””
“To give it to me?””
Derrick looked at him.
“To give it to Lily.””
Marcus's mouth fell open.
“Lily?””
“Your father believed Lily was the only person in the family he could trust.””
Marcus's eyes filled with tears.
“She was six.””
“She was the reason he kept fighting.””
Derrick's expression changed.
“And Vanessa knew.””
Marcus looked toward the hallway.
“Where is she?””
A woman's voice answered from downstairs.
“I'm here.””
Marcus turned.
Vanessa stood at the bottom of the stairs.
Her wedding dress was torn.
Her veil was gone.
One cheek was bruised.
She was holding Isaiah.
The baby was wrapped in a blue blanket.
Marcus rushed toward her.
“Vanessa.””
She backed away.
“Don't come closer.””
“Are you hurt?””
“I'm fine.””
“Where was he?””
“With me.””
Marcus looked at Derrick.
Derrick said nothing.
Vanessa climbed one step.
“Marcus, listen.””
“I've been listening all day.””
She looked at him.
“I didn't marry you for your money.””
“You lied about everything.””
“I lied about the pregnancy.””
“You lied about being married.””
“I know.””
“You lied to Lily.””
“I know.””
“You hid Isaiah.””
“I know.””
Marcus's voice cracked.
“What am I supposed to believe?””
Vanessa looked at the baby.
“That I was trying to keep him alive.””
Marcus stared.
“From Derrick?””
Vanessa shook her head.
“From someone worse.””
Derrick's expression changed.
“Vanessa.””
She looked at him.
“You promised.””
“I don't care anymore.””
Marcus stepped closer.
“Who?””
Vanessa whispered, “Your father.””
Marcus froze.
“What?””
“My father?””
“No.””
She shook her head.
“Robert wasn't the man who ordered Rachel killed.””
Derrick's face went rigid.
Vanessa looked at Marcus.
“The person who ordered it was someone Robert was terrified of.””
Marcus stared.
“Who?””
Vanessa looked toward Evelyn.
Evelyn began shaking.
“Don't,” she whispered.
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
“Tell him.””
Evelyn stepped backward.
Marcus turned toward her.
“What is she talking about?””
Evelyn's voice broke.
“I didn't know they were going to kill her.””
Marcus stared.
“Who?””
Evelyn covered her mouth.
“Your mother.””
The house went silent.
Marcus couldn't breathe.
“My mother died when I was twelve.””
Evelyn nodded.
“She didn't die naturally.””
Marcus stared at his aunt.
“What are you saying?””
May you like
Evelyn whispered the words.
“Your mother ordered the accident.””
