Chapter 14: The Last Message From Elena
The person standing in the doorway didn’t look like a villain.
That was the worst part.
They looked ordinary.
Calm.
Almost sympathetic.
A woman in a gray coat holding a small folder.
Dr. Elaine Brooks.
My mind rejected it before my heart could.
“No.””
The word escaped before I could stop it.
Dr. Brooks looked at me sadly.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t find out this way.””
Detective Harris immediately moved.
“Dr. Brooks, don’t move.””
She stopped.
But she didn’t look afraid.
She looked tired.
Like someone who had been carrying a burden for years.
“Why?””
I asked.
My voice was barely there.
“Why would you?””
She looked at Elena’s photo on the table.
“I didn’t want this.””
Nobody answered.
Because that was what everyone said.
I didn’t want this.
I didn’t mean to.
I was trying to help.
But every terrible thing in my life had arrived wrapped in those words.
Detective Harris stepped forward.
“Dr. Brooks, we need answers.””
She nodded.
“I know.””
She looked at me.
“Your wife figured it out before I could stop it.””
My chest tightened.
“Stop what?””
She looked down.
“The truth.””
The room froze.
I stepped closer.
“You altered her medical records.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Yes.””
Ava moved behind me.
I felt her small hand grab mine.
“Why?””
Dr. Brooks closed her eyes.
“Because I was trying to protect my son.””
That answer made no sense.
“What does your son have to do with Elena?””
She looked at Simone’s empty chair.
Then at Terrence.
Then back at me.
“Everything.””
She opened the folder.
Inside were photographs.
Documents.
Bank records.
She placed them on the table.
“Your wife discovered Simone wasn’t just stealing from Ava’s account.””
I looked down.
“She was working with someone.””
My stomach dropped.
“Who?””
Dr. Brooks looked at me.
“My son.””
Silence.
Then the pieces connected.
The insurance company.
The medical records.
The prescriptions.
The access.
“You helped them.””
She nodded.
“I made mistakes.””
“Mistakes?””
My voice rose.
“You almost made me believe my wife was losing her mind.””
Tears fell down her face.
“I know.””
“You almost made my daughter lose her mother’s truth.””
“I know.””
“And why?””
She looked at Ava.
“Because my son threatened to expose something.””
“What?””
She took a breath.
“He caused the accident that led to Elena’s death.””
The room stopped.
No one moved.
My knees nearly gave out.
Accident.
A word I had lived with for two years.
A word that had never felt right.
Detective Harris immediately stepped forward.
“Who is your son?””
Dr. Brooks hesitated.
Then answered.
“Marcus.””
The room went silent.
I turned.
Slowly.
Marcus.
My best friend.
The man who stood beside me.
The man who told me something was wrong.
The man who had been the first person to support me.
“No.””
Dr. Brooks nodded.
“I’m sorry.””
My memories crashed together.
Marcus at the table.
Marcus telling me to trust my instincts.
Marcus standing beside Ava.
Marcus knowing every detail of my life.
Because he had been there.
All along.
Detective Harris received another message.
He checked his phone.
Then looked at me.
“We need to find him.””
I looked around.
“Where is he?””
Nobody knew.
Then Ava spoke.
“Daddy.””
I looked down.
She was holding something.
A folded piece of paper.
“Where did you get that?””
“Uncle Terrence gave it to me.””
Terrence looked confused.
“I didn’t.””
Ava unfolded it.
“It was inside Mommy’s box.””
I took it.
Three words.
Elena’s handwriting.
*He will return.*
Underneath was an address.
Detective Harris read it.
His face changed.
“That’s Marcus’ house.””
My phone suddenly rang.
Unknown number.
Again.
Everyone froze.
I answered.
A voice came through.
Marcus.
“Darius.””
My blood went cold.
“Where are you?””
A pause.
Then:
“Looking at the place where Elena should have been safe.””
I tightened my grip.
“Why did you do this?””
Silence.
Then his voice cracked.
“Because she found out what I did.””
My heart stopped.
“What did you do?””
Another pause.
“I didn’t mean for her to die.””
The room went silent.
Marcus continued.
“But after it happened…”
A shaky breath.
“I realized I had one chance to protect myself.””
My hand trembled.
“You framed me.””
“Yes.””
The honesty hurt more than a lie.
“Why?””
His voice became quieter.
“Because Elena was going to tell you the truth.””
I closed my eyes.
“What truth?””
The line went silent.
Then Marcus whispered:
May you like
“That I wasn’t the only person involved.””
The call ended.
