Chapter 11: The Truth She Buried
The investigator’s words stayed in the air.
“You reported yourself.””
Simone looked like she wanted to disappear.
Marcus slowly turned toward her.
“Explain.””
She didn’t.
“Simone.””
“I was scared.””
“That’s not an explanation.””
She looked at Rebecca.
“Can you leave us alone?””
Rebecca shook her head.
“I can answer questions, but I cannot leave until I complete the process.””
Marcus looked confused.
“What process?””
Rebecca opened the folder.
“The account review.””
She looked at Simone.
“You requested an emergency freeze this morning.””
Simone looked down.
“Yes.””
“Why?””
No answer.
Rebecca waited.
Finally, Simone whispered:
“Because I knew something was wrong.””
Marcus laughed softly.
Not because it was funny.
Because he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“You knew?””
She looked at him.
“Yes.””
“And you still walked into this wedding?””
Her eyes filled.
“I thought I could fix it.””
There it was again.
The same sentence.
But now it sounded different.
Not like an excuse.
Like a confession.
Marcus stepped away.
“You knew the money was gone.””
Simone nodded.
“I thought I could recover it.””
“How?””
She looked down.
“I invested it.””
“You already said that.””
“No.””
She shook her head.
“There’s more.””
Everyone waited.
Even Rebecca stopped writing.
Simone took a breath.
“I didn’t invest it myself.””
Marcus frowned.
“What does that mean?””
She looked at him.
“I gave it to someone.””
The room changed.
I felt it immediately.
Because the problem wasn’t only money.
It was trust.
“Who?”” Marcus asked.
Simone hesitated.
Then whispered:
“My friend.””
Marcus stared.
“Which friend?””
She didn’t answer.
“Simone.””
“The one who helped me plan everything.””
Evelyn’s face changed.
“Who?””
Simone closed her eyes.
“Vanessa.””
I didn’t know Vanessa well.
But I had heard the name.
The person who always seemed to have advice.
The person who told Simone how to save money.
How to negotiate.
How to make things look expensive without spending as much.
Marcus looked at Rebecca.
“Is that name connected to the account?””
Rebecca checked the file.
“Yes.””
Everyone went silent.
“How?””
Rebecca turned a page.
“The account received multiple transfers from an individual named Vanessa Brooks.””
Simone looked down.
Marcus stared at her.
“You gave wedding money to your friend?””
“I trusted her.””
“And I trusted you.””
The difference in his voice was painful.
Because he wasn’t angry anymore.
He was grieving.
Simone stepped closer.
“Marcus, please.””
He moved back.
“No.””
“Listen to me.””
“I have listened all night.””
She stopped.
“I listened when you said Darius was responsible.””
Her face fell.
“I listened when you said the catering was handled.””
He continued.
“I listened when you said the venue was paid.””
His voice cracked.
“I listened every time you gave me a version of the truth.””
Nobody spoke.
Then Rebecca looked at Simone.
“There is one more thing.””
Simone looked up.
“What?””
Rebecca hesitated.
“The investigation found that the transfers were made shortly after the wedding payments arrived.””
Marcus frowned.
“What does that mean?””
Rebecca answered:
“It means the money was moved almost immediately after Simone received access.””
The room became silent.
Because that wasn’t a desperate mistake.
That was a decision.
Simone covered her face.
“I was going to put it back.””
Marcus shook his head.
“You keep saying that.””
“Because I was.””
“But you never told anyone.””
She cried quietly.
“I was embarrassed.””
I looked at her.
And for a moment, I saw the person beneath everything.
Not the bride.
Not the image.
Just Simone.
Someone who had been so afraid of looking unsuccessful that she destroyed the very things she was trying to protect.
Marcus looked at her for a long time.
Then he said something none of us expected.
“I don’t know if I can forgive this.””
Simone looked up.
That hurt her more than anything.
Not anger.
Not rejection.
Uncertainty.
Because forgiveness was something she could ask for.
But trust?
Trust had to be rebuilt.
Rebecca closed the folder.
“I need to contact Vanessa Brooks.””
Simone immediately stood.
“No.””
Everyone looked at her.
She realized what she had done.
Again.
Marcus noticed.
“Why not?””
She looked terrified.
Rebecca asked:
“Is there something I should know about Vanessa?””
Simone didn’t answer.
Marcus stepped closer.
“Simone.””
Her breathing became uneven.
Then her phone rang.
Everyone looked.
Another call.
Another person.
Another secret.
The name appeared on the screen.
Vanessa.
Simone stared at it.
And nobody needed an explanation.
May you like
Because the person they had been talking about…
Was calling her.
