My Fiancée Tried to Push Me Down the Stairs—But She Didn't Know I Could Walk

I read Vanessa's handwriting three times.

He knows about us.

Four simple words.

But they changed everything.

My father had known something about Vanessa long before I proposed to her. And judging by the photograph, whatever he discovered had been serious enough to frighten her.

“Amara,” I said, keeping my voice steady, “why didn't your mother give me this photograph earlier?””

Amara twisted her fingers together.

“She wanted to. But your father made her promise to wait.””

“Wait for what?””

“She said he told her that if you ever became engaged to Miss Vanessa, she should give you the photograph immediately.””

I stared at her.

My father had anticipated this.

He had known I might fall in love with Vanessa.

Perhaps he had even suspected that I would marry her.

Daniel took the photograph carefully.

“Marcus, we need to establish when this was taken.””

“The date is written on the back.””

“I mean the original photograph. The paper, the print, everything. If we can authenticate it, it may help establish a timeline.””

I nodded.

Then I asked Amara the question that had been bothering me.

“Did your mother ever tell you what Vanessa and my father were involved in?””

Amara shook her head.

“No. But she told me something strange.””

“What?””

“The night your father died, Miss Vanessa came downstairs carrying a small leather bag. She was crying, but she wasn't looking at anyone. She went straight to the garage.””

Daniel stopped examining the photograph.

“Did your mother see her leave?””

“Yes.””

“Was anyone else there?””

Amara hesitated.

“Mr. Julian.””

I closed my eyes.

The pieces were beginning to fit together, but I didn't yet understand the picture.

Daniel placed the photograph inside a protective sleeve.

“I'm taking this to an independent examiner. Marcus, I strongly recommend that you don't speak to Vanessa or Julian without recording the conversation and having legal protection.””

“I agree.””

But I knew Vanessa.

If she suspected I was investigating her, she would destroy anything that could connect her to my father's death.

And she had already shown that she was willing to hurt me physically.

“Daniel, can you arrange a discreet security team?””

“Already thinking about it.””

He collected the documents and left to make several calls.

Amara remained beside my wheelchair.

“Mr. Marcus, I think you should leave this house.””

I looked around the study.

My father's books still lined the shelves. His old leather chair sat beside the fireplace. A framed photograph of the three of us stood on the desk.

I had grown up in this house.

I had believed it was the safest place in the world.

“Not yet,” I said.

Amara looked worried.

“Why?””

“Because Vanessa believes she still has control over me. I want her to keep believing that.””

At nine that evening, Vanessa returned.

She walked into the study wearing a cream silk blouse and carrying two cups of tea.

Her expression was soft.

Almost affectionate.

“Marcus, darling. I've been looking everywhere for you.””

I looked at the cup she placed beside me.

“Have you?””

She bent down and kissed my forehead.

“I was worried.””

“About what?””

“About you. About last night. About everything.””

She sat on the arm of my chair.

“I spoke to the wedding planner. We should postpone the ceremony for a few weeks. You need rest.””

I watched her fingers move over the diamond ring.

“You seemed very concerned about the wedding earlier.””

“Of course. But your health comes first.””

“That's sweet.””

She smiled.

“I'm glad you understand.””

I picked up the tea but didn't drink it.

“Vanessa, can I ask you something?””

“Anything.””

“Did my father ever tell you he was worried about Julian?””

Her fingers stopped moving.

Only for a second.

Then she laughed.

“Your father worried about everyone. He was always overprotective.””

“Did he ever accuse Julian of stealing from the company?””

Her smile faded.

“Why would you ask that?””

“I'm going through some old documents.””

“You shouldn't be doing that while you're recovering.””

“I've had a lot of time to think.””

She stood and walked toward the window.

“Marcus, your father made mistakes. He wasn't always fair to Julian.””

“Did he make mistakes with you too?””

Vanessa turned.

“What does that mean?””

I looked directly at her.

“I found an old photograph.””

Her face changed.

“What photograph?””

“One of you and my father.””

She took a step closer.

“Where?””

“Why?””

“Because I don't understand why you're asking me these questions.””

I waited.

Then I asked quietly, “What did my father know about you?””

Vanessa's hand tightened around her cup.

For a moment, I thought she might confess.

Instead, she placed the cup on the desk.

“Your father was a difficult man, Marcus. He never liked me.””

“He seemed to like you in the photograph.””

“That was before.””

“Before what?””

She looked toward the door.

“Before he started accusing me of things.””

“What things?””

“Things that weren't true.””

I leaned forward.

“Such as?””

Vanessa's voice rose.

“Your father thought I was sleeping with Julian!””

The words exploded through the room.

Neither of us moved.

Then she covered her mouth.

I slowly lowered my hands.

“Were you?””

Her eyes filled with tears.

“Marcus, I was young. Julian was lonely. Your father misunderstood everything.””

I felt as though someone had poured ice down my spine.

“How long?””

She shook her head.

“It's over.””

“How long, Vanessa?””

“Before you and I became serious.””

“That wasn't my question.””

She began crying.

“I made a mistake. One mistake. Your father found out, and he threatened to destroy my life.””

I looked at her engagement ring.

“Did Julian know my father had discovered the affair?””

“Yes.””

“And what did he do?””

Vanessa said nothing.

I waited.

Finally, she whispered, “He said your father would never get the chance to expose us.””

My heart hammered.

“What did that mean?””

“I don't know.””

“You expect me to believe that?””

She suddenly grabbed my hand.

“Marcus, listen to me. I loved you. I still love you. Whatever happened between Julian and me was over before our relationship began.””

I pulled my hand away.

“You lied to me for three years.””

“I was afraid!””

“Of what?””

She looked at me with desperate eyes.

“Of losing everything.””

The admission hung between us.

I pointed toward the door.

“Leave.””

“Marcus—”

“Get out.””

She picked up her handbag.

At the doorway, she stopped.

“You don't understand what Julian is capable of.””

I stared at her.

“Then perhaps you should have told me before he tried to kill me.””

Her face went white.

She left without another word.

Twenty minutes later, Daniel called.

“Marcus, the photograph has been examined preliminarily.””

“And?””

“The print is genuine. More importantly, the date is consistent with the period your father was investigating financial irregularities.””

“What about the writing?””

“We're arranging a handwriting comparison.””

I rubbed my forehead.

“Daniel, Vanessa admitted she had an affair with Julian.””

He went quiet.

“That's not all,” I continued.

“She said my father discovered it. She also said Julian made a comment suggesting my father wouldn't live long enough to expose them.””

Daniel exhaled slowly.

“Marcus, don't confront either of them again.””

“I won't.””

“There is something else. I checked the old estate records. Your father had a private safe deposit box that was never included in the inventory after his death.””

“Where?””

“First National Bank. Downtown.””

I sat straighter.

“What's inside?””

“I don't know. But your father's instructions say you are the only person authorized to open it.””

“When can we go?””

“Tomorrow morning.””

I ended the call and looked toward the hallway.

Vanessa's bedroom door was closed.

A moment later, I heard her speaking on the phone.

Her voice was low, but one sentence carried through the corridor.

“He knows about Dad's box. We need to get there before he does.””