Chapter 11: The Woman Behind the Memory
Nobody needed Nia to say the name.
They saw it on her face.
The fear.
The realization.
Evelyn stood slowly.
“Nia.””
But Nia backed away.
“No.””
The older woman stopped.
“You remembered.””
Nia looked at her.
“You were there.””
A painful silence followed.
Daniel looked confused.
“Who?””
Nia couldn’t breathe properly.
“The night Marcus died…”
Her eyes stayed on Evelyn.
“She was there.””
The room erupted.
“No.””
“I don’t understand.””
“Mrs. Reed?””
Evelyn shook her head.
“Nia, listen to me.””
“No.””
The word came out stronger.
“You told me you didn’t know.””
“I didn’t want you to remember that way.””
“What way?””
Evelyn’s face collapsed.
“The way it happened.””
Nia’s hands trembled.
“Then tell me.””
Evelyn looked at the coffin.
“He called me because he was afraid.””
“Of what?””
“Of losing you.””
Nia frowned.
“That doesn’t explain anything.””
Evelyn nodded.
“I know.””
She took a deep breath.
“So I need to tell you everything.””
Nobody moved.
“The night Marcus died, he came to me with evidence.””
“Evidence against who?””
Evelyn looked down.
“Against someone who had been controlling his business.””
The detective crossed her arms.
“Who?””
Evelyn looked at her.
“You know who.””
The detective’s face hardened.
“Say the name.””
A pause.
Then Evelyn whispered:
“Calvin.””
Terrence’s expression changed.
Nia noticed.
“Who is Calvin?””
Nobody answered immediately.
That frightened her.
Finally, Terrence spoke.
“Marcus’s business partner.””
Nia looked confused.
“I thought Marcus didn’t have a business.””
“He didn’t want you involved.””
“Why?””
Terrence looked guilty.
“Because the business was failing.””
Nia stared.
“What?””
Detective Brooks stepped in.
“Marcus discovered money was being moved from company accounts.””
“To where?””
The detective looked at Evelyn.
“That’s what he was trying to find out.””
Nia looked at the phone.
“And Calvin killed him?””
Evelyn shook her head.
“I don’t know.””
The familiar answer.
The one that made Nia angry.
“You don’t know anything.””
Evelyn accepted the accusation.
“You’re right.””
A tear fell.
“I knew Marcus was in danger.””
The room went silent.
“I knew he was investigating.””
Nia stared.
“And you didn’t stop him?””
“I tried.””
“No.””
Nia shook her head.
“You protected yourself.””
Evelyn looked wounded.
“I protected you.””
Nia almost screamed.
“Everyone says that!””
Her voice broke.
“Everyone keeps saying they were protecting me while they let me live inside a lie.””
No one responded.
Because it was true.
Detective Brooks looked at the phone.
“There’s something else.””
Nia turned.
“What?””
“The message you received.””
She pointed.
“The one telling you to remember.””
Nia looked down.
“Yes.””
“That message was sent automatically.””
“What?””
Marcus programmed it.
“Before he died.””
The detective nodded.
“He knew your memory might be affected.””
Nia felt sick.
“He planned for me to forget?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Detective Brooks looked at her.
“Because he believed the person who hurt him was someone you trusted.””
Nia looked around.
The message.
The warning.
The photo.
Everything pointed to one thing.
Someone close.
Someone trusted.
Then the chapel doors opened.
Everyone turned.
A man stood outside.
Older.
Expensive suit.
Calm expression.
Too calm.
Evelyn immediately went pale.
“Calvin.””
The man smiled.
“Nobody invited me.””
Nobody answered.
Calvin walked inside.
His eyes went directly to Nia.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t have to find out this way.””
Nia stepped back.
“You knew Marcus.””
Calvin smiled sadly.
“I knew him better than anyone.””
Detective Brooks moved forward.
“You need to leave.””
Calvin ignored her.
Instead, he looked at Nia.
“Marcus loved you.””
A pause.
“But he also lied to you.””
Nia’s stomach tightened.
“What are you talking about?””
Calvin reached into his jacket.
Pulled out a small envelope.
“I think you deserve to see what he was hiding.””
Detective Brooks raised her voice.
“Don’t give her anything.””
Calvin smiled.
“Why?””
He looked around.
“Because everyone else has been giving her half the truth.””
He held the envelope toward Nia.
“This is the other half.””
Nia stared.
Then noticed something written on the front.
Not her name.
Not Marcus’s handwriting.
May you like
Three words.
*YOUR REAL MEMORY.*
