Chapter 10: My Brother’s Hidden Deal
I stared at Mark’s name until the letters blurred.
For a moment, I tried to convince myself there was another explanation.
A mistake.
A misunderstanding.
Anything except the truth sitting in front of me.
My brother.
The person who held my hand at our parents’ funeral.
The person who told me, "You and Emily are all the family I have left.""
The person who hugged me after Richard died and promised I would never face life alone.
His name was on the document.
I looked at Thomas.
"Why didn't you tell me before?""
"Because Richard instructed me not to reveal this information unless someone attempted to interfere with the trust.""
"And Mark knew?""
Thomas nodded slowly.
"He helped your husband establish the structure.""
I stood up.
"Then why would he try to destroy it?""
Thomas didn't answer immediately.
That bothered me.
"Thomas.""
He looked at the papers.
"Because sometimes knowing how something is protected also tells someone how to attack it.""
The room became silent.
Emily sat across from me, staring at the floor.
"I can't believe Uncle Mark was involved.""
I looked at her.
"Neither can I.""
And that was the hardest part.
I wanted to hate someone.
I wanted a simple villain.
But every person involved was someone I had loved.
Someone I had trusted.
That made the betrayal heavier.
Not easier.
My phone rang.
Mark.
Again.
I looked at the screen.
Emily noticed.
"Are you going to answer?""
I thought about ignoring him.
But I needed the truth.
I picked up.
"Hello, Mark.""
His voice was gentle.
Almost hurt.
"Are you angry with me?""
I closed my eyes.
"What do you think?""
A pause.
"I know you found out.""
"About what?""
Another silence.
Then he sighed.
"About the trust.""
I gripped the phone.
"So you admit it?""
"Admit what?""
"That you knew about Richard's trust.""
"Of course I knew. I helped him.""
"Then explain why your name is connected to documents about controlling my property.""
His breathing changed.
Small.
But noticeable.
"I didn't try to control your property.""
"Then why is Daniel using documents connected to something you helped create?""
"I never gave Daniel anything.""
"But he knew.""
Silence.
That silence was enough.
"Mark.""
His voice became quieter.
"Things got complicated.""
"No.""
I walked toward the window.
"Things became dishonest.""
"You don't understand.""
"Everyone keeps saying that.""
I looked outside.
"Nobody seems willing to explain. They just want me to accept.""
Mark sighed.
"I made mistakes.""
"How many?""
He didn't answer.
"How many, Mark?""
Finally, he whispered:
"I borrowed against information I shouldn't have used.""
My stomach tightened.
"What does that mean?""
"I was struggling.""
"With what?""
"Investments.""
I laughed bitterly.
"You gave Daniel information about me because you were losing money?""
"No.""
"Then why?""
He didn't answer.
And then I heard something.
A voice in the background.
Daniel.
"Who are you talking to?""
My entire body went still.
Mark was with Daniel.
"Mark?""
The line went quiet.
Then the call ended.
I stared at the phone.
Emily whispered, "He's with him.""
I nodded.
Something was happening.
Something bigger than money.
Thomas gathered the documents.
"We need to act quickly.""
"What happens now?""
"Now we protect everything.""
That evening, I changed every security measure I could.
Passwords.
Accounts.
Documents.
Everything.
But there was one thing I couldn't protect.
My heart.
Because no lock could keep betrayal out.
At midnight, I received an email.
No subject.
No greeting.
Just one attachment.
A photograph.
I opened it.
It was taken years ago.
At my wedding anniversary dinner.
Richard was standing beside me.
Mark was behind us.
And in the corner was Daniel.
But Daniel wasn't family then.
He wasn't even invited.
I zoomed in.
On the back of the photograph was writing.
A handwritten note.
Three words.
*He was there.*
I looked at Emily.
She saw my face.
"What is it?""
I turned the screen toward her.
And watched her expression change.
Because she recognized something in the picture.
Something I didn't.
"Mom...""
Her voice shook.
"That's not possible.""
"What?""
She pointed at the corner.
"Daniel wasn't just there.""
May you like
She swallowed.
"He was talking to Dad.""
