Chapter 4: The Man Outside the House
Marcus drove home so fast that he barely remembered the traffic lights.
Rachel remained on the phone with him.
"He's still outside," she said.
"A black SUV. The man is sitting behind the wheel.""
"Don't let Vanessa take Maya anywhere.""
"I won't. But Marcus, she's acting strangely.""
"What do you mean?""
"She keeps telling Maya that you're going to send her away.""
Marcus tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
"Put Maya on the phone.""
A moment later, he heard his daughter's small voice.
"Daddy?""
"I'm coming, sweetheart.""
"Are you angry with me?""
His heart broke.
"Why would you think that?""
"Vanessa said you found something Mommy didn't want you to see. She said you'll blame me.""
Marcus nearly missed the turn into their neighborhood.
"Listen carefully, Maya. You have done absolutely nothing wrong. Nothing. Do you understand?""
"Yes, Daddy.""
"I love you more than anything. I'll be home in a few minutes.""
There was a pause.
Then Maya whispered, "Daddy, please don't let her take Mommy's things again.""
"I won't.""
He ended the call.
When Marcus pulled into the driveway, the black SUV was gone.
Vanessa stood on the front porch wearing sunglasses, holding a designer handbag. A large suitcase rested beside her.
She looked almost amused when she saw him.
"Well, look who's back.""
Marcus got out of the car.
"Where is Maya?""
"Inside with your sister.""
"Good.""
He walked past Vanessa.
She stepped in front of him.
"You're not going anywhere until we talk.""
"Move.""
"Don't speak to me like that.""
"Then don't stand between me and my daughter.""
Vanessa's face tightened.
"You've changed since yesterday.""
Marcus looked at the suitcase.
"Where are you going?""
"To my sister's.""
"With Daniel?""
Her expression changed so quickly that he knew he had hit something important.
"Who told you that name?""
Marcus took the photograph from his jacket pocket and held it up.
Vanessa stared at it.
For a few seconds, she said nothing.
Then she laughed.
"That's old. You're going to accuse me of something because of a photograph?""
"How long?""
"How long what?""
"How long were you involved with Daniel?""
Vanessa took off her sunglasses.
"That's none of your business.""
"You're my wife. You had access to my daughter's inheritance. You were involved with the man who stole from her. It became my business a long time ago.""
Vanessa stepped closer.
"Elena was obsessed with money. She thought everyone wanted to steal from her.""
Marcus's jaw tightened.
"She knew about the transfers.""
"She was dying. She was confused.""
"She recorded you.""
Vanessa went completely still.
Marcus watched the color drain from her face.
"What recording?"" she asked.
"Your conversation with Daniel.""
Vanessa looked toward the front gate.
For the first time, she seemed to understand that the situation had changed.
"Marcus, you need to listen to me.""
"I've listened enough.""
"You don't know what Daniel did.""
"I know what you did.""
She grabbed his arm.
"Please. Don't destroy our marriage over this.""
Marcus pulled away.
"Our marriage?""
He glanced toward the living-room window, where Maya's small silhouette appeared behind the curtain.
"You stood beside my daughter and told her that her mother's belongings were worthless. You destroyed something Elena left for her. You stole money from a child.""
Vanessa's eyes flashed.
"That girl has everything! A father who worships her, a house, a trust fund. What about me?""
Marcus stared at her.
"You're a grown woman. She's eight years old.""
"I gave up years of my life taking care of this family!""
"You were paid for it. With my trust, my home, and my money.""
Vanessa slapped him.
The sound echoed across the driveway.
Marcus didn't move.
He simply looked at her.
"Pack your things. You're leaving today.""
Vanessa's expression shifted from anger to disbelief.
"You can't throw me out.""
"I'm not discussing this on the porch.""
She lowered her voice.
"Daniel has connections, Marcus. He knows people. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into.""
Marcus stepped closer.
"Then tell him I'm ready.""
Inside, Rachel was sitting on the sofa with Maya.
Maya ran toward her father the moment she saw him.
He lifted her into his arms.
"You're home," she whispered.
"I'm home.""
Rachel stood.
"Marcus, we need to talk.""
He noticed the concern in her eyes.
"What happened?""
Rachel glanced toward the staircase.
"Maya found something in Vanessa's bedroom.""
Marcus looked down at his daughter.
"What did you find, sweetheart?""
Maya reached into her pocket and pulled out a small folded photograph.
It showed Elena standing in the garden, holding baby Maya.
On the back, someone had written:
*For my little sunshine. Never let anyone convince you that you are not loved.*
Marcus recognized it immediately.
"Where did you find this?""
"In Vanessa's drawer.""
Rachel nodded.
"There was an envelope with it. Maya found it when Vanessa was packing.""
Marcus unfolded the paper.
It was a handwritten note from Elena.
But it wasn't addressed to him.
It was addressed to Vanessa.
I know you don't like me, and I know you don't agree with the decisions I've made for Maya.
But I'm asking you, woman to woman, please don't punish my daughter for something she cannot control.
If I don't survive, I hope you can find enough kindness in your heart to let her remember me.
She needs love, not competition.
Marcus read the words twice.
Rachel covered her mouth.
Maya looked up.
"Why did Vanessa keep that?""
Marcus couldn't answer.
Then he noticed something written in blue ink at the bottom.
A date.
And beneath it, four words.
*She knows about Daniel.*
Marcus looked at Rachel.
"Vanessa wrote this?""
Rachel shook her head.
"No. That's Elena's handwriting.""
He turned the paper over.
There was a second message, almost hidden beneath the photograph.
If Daniel comes back, don't trust the woman who brings him.
Marcus felt a chill move through his body.
Vanessa had not simply met Daniel after Elena died.
Elena had known something was happening before her death.
And she had tried to warn them.
Suddenly, the front door slammed.
Vanessa was gone.
Marcus looked through the window.
Her car was pulling out of the driveway.
His phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
A message appeared.
*You should have left Unit 417 alone. Now everyone is in danger.*
Marcus read it again.
Then another message arrived.
*Ask your sister what happened the night Elena died.*
He slowly turned toward Rachel.
Her face had gone pale.
"Marcus," she whispered.
He held up the phone.
"What happened the night Elena died?""
May you like
Rachel began to cry.
And Marcus realized his sister had been keeping a secret, too.
