Chapter 5: The Cousin Who Came Too Late
Nobody spoke.
Terrence stood in the doorway like he owned the room.
The bright daylight behind him made his figure look almost unreal.
Nia immediately stepped backward.
The phone remained in her hand.
“No.””
Terrence removed his sunglasses.
“Nia, listen to me.””
“No.””
Her voice was stronger this time.
“You don’t get to walk in here and tell me what to do.””
Terrence looked frustrated.
Not angry.
That almost scared her more.
Because anger was easy to understand.
Desperation was not.
“I know what Marcus was trying to do.””
Nia’s eyes narrowed.
“Then why didn’t you stop him?””
The question hit harder than she expected.
Terrence looked away.
For a second, guilt crossed his face.
“I tried.””
Daniel moved closer.
“You knew something was happening?””
Terrence didn’t answer.
That was an answer.
The mourners began whispering again.
Evelyn stood completely still.
Nia looked between them.
“How many people knew?””
Nobody responded.
Her fingers wrapped around the phone.
“My fiancé died, and everyone around him knew there was something wrong.””
Terrence looked at her.
“Nia—”
“No.””
She shook her head.
“I want the truth.””
Terrence stepped inside.
The funeral doors closed behind him.
“I know you do.””
“Then start talking.””
Terrence glanced at Evelyn.
She immediately shook her head.
A silent warning.
Nia saw it.
“You’re all doing it again.””
Terrence frowned.
“Doing what?””
“Talking without words.””
She pointed at both of them.
“You’ve been protecting secrets while Marcus is lying here.””
Terrence looked at the coffin.
His expression softened.
“He didn’t deserve this.””
Nia’s eyes burned.
“Then tell me who did it.””
Terrence stayed silent.
The silence was unbearable.
Finally, he said:
“I don’t know.””
Nia laughed once.
A broken sound.
“You expect me to believe that?””
“It’s the truth.””
“Then why are you afraid of that phone?””
Terrence looked at the device.
“Because Marcus wasn’t supposed to leave it behind.””
Everyone froze.
Nia felt her heartbeat change.
“What do you mean?””
Terrence looked at Evelyn.
Then back at Nia.
“He planned everything.””
The room went quiet.
“Marcus knew something was going to happen.””
Nia stared at him.
“No.””
Terrence’s face softened.
“I’m sorry.””
“No.””
She shook her head.
“Marcus wouldn’t do that.””
But a memory came back.
The late nights.
The hidden papers.
The strange questions.
The way he kept checking his phone whenever Evelyn called.
Terrence lowered his voice.
“Marcus didn’t trust anyone anymore.””
Nia looked at the coffin.
“Not even me?””
Terrence immediately answered.
“Especially not because of you.””
She looked confused.
“What does that mean?””
Before Terrence could explain, Evelyn spoke.
“Marcus was trying to keep her safe.””
Nia turned toward her.
“Safe from what?””
No answer.
Again.
Always no answer.
Nia looked down at the phone.
Another notification appeared.
Everyone saw it.
A new message.
*Do not believe Terrence.*
Nia’s blood turned cold.
Terrence saw the screen.
His face changed.
Not surprise.
Pain.
Because he recognized those words.
“You knew.””
Nia whispered.
Terrence slowly looked up.
“Nia…”
“You knew he sent this.””
“I knew he was planning something.””
“You knew!””
Her voice echoed through the chapel.
Terrence closed his eyes.
“I didn’t know he would die.””
The words stopped everyone.
Nia stared at him.
“What did you just say?””
Terrence looked at Marcus.
“I thought I had more time.””
The funeral director quietly stepped away.
Several mourners began leaving.
But Nia couldn’t.
She couldn’t stop looking at Terrence.
Because now there were too many questions.
Too many people with secrets.
Too many people who claimed they were protecting her.
And Marcus had warned her about all of them.
The phone vibrated again.
One final message appeared.
Nia looked down.
This one was different.
Not from Marcus.
From the unknown number.
*Ask Evelyn why she was the last person to see Marcus alive.*
Nia slowly lifted her eyes.
Evelyn went completely still.
May you like
Because she knew.
The message was true.
