Chapter 2: The Question My Fiancée Couldn't Answer
Nobody spoke for almost ten seconds.
The ballroom, which had been filled with wedding planners, hotel employees, and people discussing flower arrangements, suddenly felt like a courtroom.
Nia was still holding my arm.
But her fingers were no longer gripping it affectionately.
They were gripping it desperately.
"Marcus, don't listen to her," she said.
I looked at her.
"Then answer the question.""
She swallowed.
"What question?""
I laughed once, without humor.
"Don't do that, Nia.""
Her mother stepped closer.
"Tell him.""
Nia turned toward Evelyn.
"Mom, you promised.""
The words escaped before she could stop them.
My stomach tightened.
"What did she promise?""
Evelyn's expression crumpled.
The older businessman, Richard, cleared his throat.
"Perhaps this conversation should take place somewhere more private.""
My father stood slowly, using his cane.
"There's nothing private about the truth, Richard.""
He looked at me.
"Come sit down, son.""
We moved to a small private lounge beside the ballroom.
Nia followed.
Evelyn followed her.
The two businessmen remained near the entrance, exchanging uncomfortable glances.
My father sat in an armchair and placed his leather folder on the table.
I sat opposite him.
Nia remained standing.
"Marcus, you're letting my mother destroy our relationship," she said.
I looked up.
"Your mother didn't mention the land. The businessman did. Your mother didn't bring up the envelope.
Dad did. And your mother didn't ask me to investigate your behavior.""
I paused.
"She asked me to ask you a question.""
Nia folded her arms.
"You're being ridiculous.""
"Then answer it.""
She looked toward the windows.
I had seen that expression before.
It was the expression she wore whenever she wanted time to construct an answer.
Finally, she said, "I knew your father owned some property.""
"How?""
"Your family has been connected to the area for decades. It's not exactly a secret.""
"That's not what I asked.""
She sighed.
"My company did some research.""
"What research?""
"Real estate research, Marcus. It's my job.""
I leaned forward.
"Did you know the property was worth eight million dollars before we started dating?""
She didn't answer.
That was enough.
Evelyn sat down heavily.
"Marcus, I need to explain.""
Nia turned toward her.
"No, you don't.""
Evelyn ignored her.
"Three years ago, my family business was struggling. Your father's land was identified as one of the most important parcels in a development proposal.""
I frowned.
"What family business?""
"The Carter Group.""
I knew the name.
It was the company Nia's father had founded before his death. It owned several commercial properties and had invested heavily in residential developments.
Evelyn continued.
"We had an opportunity to purchase surrounding properties and develop a large commercial district. Hotels, office buildings, restaurants, luxury apartments. Everything depended on acquiring one particular piece of land.""
"My father's?""
She nodded.
"Your father refused to sell.""
I looked toward Arthur.
He didn't deny it.
"Why?""
"Because your mother didn't want it sold," he answered quietly.
Evelyn rubbed her forehead.
"Your mother and I knew each other long before you were born.""
I stared at her.
"What?""
Nia looked furious.
"Mom, stop.""
But Evelyn kept going.
"Years ago, your mother helped me when my husband and I were starting our business. We were nearly bankrupt. She introduced us to investors, helped us negotiate with creditors, and even guaranteed part of a loan.""
My father lowered his eyes.
"She was a good woman.""
Evelyn nodded.
"She was more than good. She saved us.""
I glanced at the envelope.
"Then why does everyone look terrified?""
Richard finally spoke from the doorway.
"Because the development project isn't just about acquiring land, Mr. Bennett. Your father's refusal to sell has prevented the project from moving forward for years.""
"That still doesn't explain Nia.""
He looked uncomfortable.
"Your fiancée works for the company responsible for the acquisition.""
I turned slowly toward her.
Nia shook her head.
"That's not what happened.""
"What happened, then?""
She walked toward me.
"Marcus, I love you.""
"Did you know about the land?""
She hesitated.
"Yes.""
"Before our first date?""
Another hesitation.
"Yes.""
I felt something inside me go very quiet.
"How long?""
She rubbed her forehead.
"I found out about your father eleven months before we met.""
Eleven months.
I remembered our first date.
The restaurant where she had laughed at my terrible joke. The evening she told me she wanted a simple life with someone who understood family. The morning she brought coffee to my father's house and insisted on helping him repair a broken kitchen cabinet.
I remembered how happy he had been.
He had called her a blessing.
I looked at her now.
"Did you approach me because of him?""
"No!""
"Then why did you hide this?""
"Because I knew you would react exactly like this!""
I stood up.
"Exactly like what?""
"Like your father is some untouchable saint who can do no wrong!""
My father shifted in his chair.
"Nia, I never asked Marcus to choose between us.""
She turned toward him.
"But you have made everything difficult!""
"What have I made difficult?""
"The land! The negotiations! The project! Everything!""
Richard stepped forward.
"Mrs. Carter, perhaps you should be careful.""
Nia shot him a furious look.
"Don't tell me what to do.""
Then she turned back to me.
"Marcus, listen. My mother told me about the property because the company needed a way to approach your father. I was asked to find out whether he might reconsider selling.""
I stared at her.
"And you thought dating his son was the best way?""
She started crying.
"I didn't plan to fall in love with you.""
I almost laughed.
"That's convenient.""
She reached for my hand.
"Please. I was going to tell you.""
"When?""
"After the wedding.""
The answer landed between us like a brick.
My father closed his eyes.
I turned toward him.
"Dad, did you know?""
He nodded.
"About the property, yes.""
"About Nia?""
"No.""
Evelyn stood.
"Arthur, that's not entirely true.""
My father looked at her.
"Be careful, Evelyn.""
She ignored the warning.
"Your wife and I made an agreement before she died.""
My heart began beating harder.
"What agreement?""
Evelyn glanced at the envelope.
"She told me that if our families ever became connected again, I was to make sure you knew the truth about what happened twenty years ago.""
I looked at my father.
He seemed suddenly older.
His hand trembled as he adjusted his grip on his cane.
"What happened twenty years ago?""
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then he spoke.
"Your mother didn't simply leave you that land, Marcus.""
I frowned.
"What does that mean?""
"She and Evelyn's husband were partners in a business arrangement. They both invested money. They both signed documents. And when your mother discovered that someone had been stealing from the company, she refused to remain silent.""
Evelyn covered her mouth.
Nia looked confused.
"Mom, what is he talking about?""
Arthur continued.
"Your mother discovered that several million dollars had disappeared. She gathered the evidence and confronted the people responsible.""
"Who?""
My father didn't answer.
Instead, he looked at Evelyn.
She was crying now.
"Your father," she whispered.
I stared at her.
"Your husband?""
She nodded.
"Your late husband was accused of fraud?""
"He was never convicted," she replied quickly.
"He died before the investigation was completed.""
Richard stepped into the room.
"That's not accurate, Evelyn.""
She turned sharply.
"Richard, stay out of this.""
But he looked at me.
"Mr. Bennett, there is another reason your father has been asked to sign the development documents. The company discovered irregularities in the original land transfer records.""
I frowned.
"What irregularities?""
He opened his briefcase and removed a thin file.
"Someone attempted to transfer part of the property without Mr. Bennett's knowledge.""
My father looked at the papers.
His expression hardened.
"Who filed this?""
Richard hesitated.
Then he placed the document on the table.
At the bottom was a signature.
A signature I recognized immediately.
It belonged to Evelyn Carter.
I looked at her.
"Why is your name on a document transferring my father's land?""
She shook her head.
"I can explain.""
But before she could continue, Nia suddenly grabbed the papers.
She stared at the signature.
Then she looked at her mother.
"Mom, you told me those documents were only preliminary.""
Evelyn's face went pale.
"Nia, put those down.""
Nia dropped them onto the table.
Then she turned toward me.
"Marcus, I swear I didn't know about this.""
I looked at her.
"How much did you know?""
She began crying harder.
But it was my father who answered.
"Enough to make me worry about you, son.""
I turned toward him.
"What are you saying?""
He reached into his leather folder and removed another envelope.
This one had my name written across the front.
His handwriting.
And beneath it, in smaller letters, were five words.
Read this before you marry.
I looked up.
My father held it toward me.
"Your mother wanted you to have this before you made the biggest decision of your life.""
I took the envelope.
My fingers felt numb.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message appeared from an unknown number.
*Marcus, don't marry Nia. Your father isn't telling you the worst part.*
A second message arrived immediately.
*Ask him what happened the night your mother died.*
May you like
I slowly raised my eyes toward my father.
For the first time in my life, Arthur Bennett looked afraid.
