Chapter 8: The Woman In The Coffin
Marcus could not move.
The document felt heavier than anything he had ever held.
Three days after the fire.
Elena was alive.
The world he built around that night collapsed in seconds.
He looked at Vanessa.
“Tell me.””
She wiped her tears.
“Marcus…”
“Tell me who was in that coffin.””
Vanessa closed her eyes.
And that was the answer.
Marcus stepped backward.
“No.””
Lily looked up at him.
“Daddy?””
He immediately turned toward her.
His anger softened.
“I’m okay.””
But he wasn’t.
Not even close.
Elena watched him with sadness.
“I tried to come back.””
Marcus looked at her.
“Then why didn’t you?””
Her eyes filled.
“Because Daniel made sure I couldn’t.””
Daniel interrupted.
“Careful.””
Elena looked at him.
“You’re afraid.””
Daniel smiled.
“Of what?””
“That Marcus finally knows who you are.””
Marcus turned sharply.
“What does that mean?””
Daniel looked at Elena.
“She never told you everything.””
Elena became quiet.
Marcus felt the frustration building again.
“Why does everyone keep saying that?””
He looked at all three adults.
“Why am I always the last person to know what’s happening in my own life?””
Nobody answered.
Finally, Elena spoke.
“Because the truth would have destroyed you.””
Marcus laughed bitterly.
“You don’t get to decide that.””
“No,” she whispered.
“But I was trying to protect Lily.””
Marcus looked at his daughter.
“What happened that night?””
Elena looked at the mansion.
“The fire wasn’t an accident.””
Marcus already knew.
But hearing it still hurt.
“Who started it?””
Elena looked at Daniel.
Daniel said nothing.
Marcus turned.
“Daniel?””
The man outside the gate remained silent.
That silence was confirmation.
Marcus stepped toward him.
“You tried to kill my family.””
Daniel’s expression changed.
Not guilt.
Something colder.
“You don’t understand.””
“I understand enough.””
“No.””
Daniel shook his head.
“You understand what Elena wants you to understand.””
Marcus stopped.
Daniel continued.
“She told you I was the villain because it’s easier.””
Elena shouted:
“Don’t listen to him.””
Daniel looked at her.
“Tell him about the money.””
Marcus turned.
“What money?””
Elena went still.
Marcus noticed.
“Elena.””
She looked away.
Daniel smiled.
“There it is.””
Marcus felt sick.
“Elena?””
She whispered:
“I was going to tell you.””
“When?””
She didn’t answer.
Marcus stepped back.
The pain was different now.
Not anger.
Betrayal.
“I spent two years thinking you were dead.””
Elena started crying.
“I know.””
“And now I find out everyone has been hiding something.””
“I was scared.””
Marcus looked at her.
“I was your husband.””
“I know.””
“Then why didn’t you trust me?””
Elena opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Because the truth hurt.
She hadn’t.
Daniel watched silently.
Then Vanessa spoke.
“She did trust you.””
Everyone looked at her.
Vanessa walked closer.
“She was afraid because of me.””
Marcus stared.
“What?””
Vanessa looked at Elena.
“I told her to run.””
Elena looked shocked.
“You?””
Vanessa nodded.
“That night, before the fire.””
Marcus felt dizzy.
“Why?””
Vanessa looked down.
“Because Daniel planned everything.””
Daniel’s face hardened.
“Vanessa.””
She ignored him.
“He told me he was going to ruin Elena. He wanted her gone. He wanted Marcus alone.””
Marcus whispered:
“And you helped him?””
“No.””
Vanessa looked at him.
“I tried to stop him.””
A pause.
“But I was too late.””
Elena touched the gate.
“Then why didn’t you tell Marcus?””
Vanessa’s voice broke.
“Because Daniel threatened Lily.””
Marcus looked at his daughter.
Again.
Always Lily.
Always his child caught between secrets.
Then Daniel suddenly stepped away from the gate.
Marcus noticed.
“Where are you going?””
Daniel looked toward the road.
“Ask Vanessa about the second fire.””
Marcus froze.
Elena froze.
Vanessa went completely still.
Marcus turned.
“Second fire?””
Daniel smiled.
“You thought there was only one?””
Then he walked into the rain.
Marcus watched him disappear.
May you like
And behind him, Vanessa whispered the words he never expected to hear.
“There was another victim.””
