Chapter 9: The Truth Marcus Buried
Marcus didn’t move.
For the first time in years, he looked like a man afraid of his own memories.
Maya stood across from him.
Waiting.
She wasn’t angry anymore.
She was tired.
Tired of secrets.
Tired of adults deciding what she could handle.
“Dad.””
Her voice was softer now.
“But I need to know.””
Marcus looked at the envelope.
Then at Maya.
“I was young.””
Maya nodded.
“I know.””
“I made mistakes.””
She swallowed.
“What mistakes?””
Marcus looked down.
“When your mother and I found out we were having you, I thought I could fix everything.””
He gave a small, painful smile.
“I thought money could solve problems. That working harder could protect people.””
Maya listened.
“But your mother knew something I didn’t.””
“What?””
Marcus looked toward Vanessa.
Then away.
“She knew people around us weren’t always honest.””
Vanessa immediately spoke.
“That’s not fair.””
Marcus looked at her.
“You knew.””
The room went silent.
Vanessa’s expression changed.
Maya noticed.
“You did know.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“No.””
Angela interrupted.
“Yes.””
Vanessa looked at her.
“You don’t understand.””
Angela’s voice became cold.
“I understand more than anyone.””
Marcus looked at Vanessa.
“What did you know?””
Vanessa didn’t answer.
“Maya deserves the truth.””
Vanessa looked at Maya.
And for a moment, she looked almost human.
Almost sorry.
“I was scared.””
Maya frowned.
“Scared of what?””
Vanessa looked at Marcus.
“I was scared of losing everything.””
Marcus stared.
“Because of Rachel?””
Vanessa’s silence answered.
Maya felt sick.
All this time, she thought Vanessa hated her because of jealousy.
Because she was a reminder of another woman.
But it was bigger.
It was about something Vanessa wanted.
Something she was willing to hide.
Marcus walked toward the envelope.
“Rachel found out something about my company.””
Maya looked surprised.
“Your company?””
Marcus nodded.
“Before I became successful, before this house, before everything…”
He paused.
“I had a partner.””
Angela crossed her arms.
“Derrick.””
The name made Marcus tense.
Maya noticed.
“Who is Derrick?””
Marcus looked at her.
“Someone I trusted.””
“And?””
“He betrayed me.””
Vanessa looked away.
Marcus continued.
“He tried to take control of everything I built.””
Maya looked at the envelope.
“And my mom knew?””
“Yes.””
“She tried to help you?””
Marcus nodded.
“She found evidence.””
Angela added:
“Evidence that could have destroyed Derrick.””
Maya looked between them.
“Then why didn’t she tell everyone?””
Marcus’s face changed.
“Because she was scared.””
“Of Derrick?””
Marcus didn’t answer.
Angela did.
“Of someone else.””
Everyone turned.
Angela looked directly at Vanessa.
Maya’s heart dropped.
“No.””
Vanessa whispered.
Angela continued.
“Rachel believed someone close to Marcus was helping Derrick.””
Marcus went still.
The kitchen became silent.
Maya looked at Vanessa.
Vanessa shook her head.
“That’s impossible.””
Marcus stared at his wife.
“Is it?””
Vanessa’s face changed.
“Marcus.””
“No.””
His voice was quiet.
“I need you to answer.””
She looked away.
That was enough.
Maya stepped back.
“You helped him?””
Vanessa looked at her.
“No.””
“Then why won’t you say it?””
Vanessa’s eyes filled.
“I was trying to protect myself.””
Marcus stared.
“From what?””
Vanessa didn’t answer.
Angela reached into her purse again.
She pulled out another item.
A photograph.
She placed it on the table.
Marcus looked down.
Then froze.
Maya leaned closer.
The picture showed Vanessa.
Years younger.
Standing beside a man Maya had never seen.
And beside them…
A familiar face.
Derrick.
Marcus slowly picked up the photograph.
His hands began shaking.
“When was this taken?””
Angela answered.
“Two weeks before Rachel died.””
Nobody spoke.
Maya looked at Vanessa.
“Why were you with him?””
Vanessa closed her eyes.
“I can explain.””
Marcus looked at her.
“Then explain.””
She opened her mouth.
But before she could speak, Marcus’s phone rang.
Everyone turned.
The screen showed an unknown number.
Marcus answered.
“Hello?””
A man’s voice came through.
Marcus’s face changed instantly.
Because the voice belonged to someone he thought was gone forever.
“Marcus…”
He stood frozen.
The voice continued.
“You finally found Rachel’s key.””
Marcus couldn’t speak.
Maya looked at him.
“Dad?””
The man on the phone whispered:
“Now you need to know what really happened the night she died.””
Marcus tightened his grip on the phone.
May you like
And then the voice said the one thing that made everyone in the kitchen go silent.
“Because Rachel wasn’t the only person who was supposed to disappear.””
