Chapter 2: The Voice on the Phone
Marcus stood completely still.
“Play it again.””
The family member looked at Evelyn.
She nodded.
The recording played.
Aaliyah's voice came first.
“I told you, Marcus will sign whatever I put in front of him.””
Then the man's voice.
“Good. Once the house is transferred, you can leave him.””
Marcus's face drained of color.
He whispered one word.
“Daniel.””
Evelyn's eyes widened.
Aaliyah covered her mouth.
“No.””
Marcus turned slowly.
“Why was my brother talking to you?””
Aaliyah shook her head.
“He wasn't.””
“We just heard him.””
“It sounded like him.””
Marcus stared at her.
“You know that was Daniel.””
Aaliyah began crying harder.
“Marcus, I never meant for this to happen.””
Evelyn stepped between them.
“Then tell him what was supposed to happen.””
Aaliyah wiped her cheeks.
“I was scared.””
“Scared of what?”” Marcus asked.
Aaliyah's voice dropped.
“Your family.””
Marcus laughed bitterly.
“My family?””
“Yes.””
She pointed toward Evelyn.
“She never wanted me. She watched everything I did. She questioned where I went, who I spoke to, what I bought—”
“That doesn't explain the call,” Marcus said.
Aaliyah looked at the tablet.
The video was still frozen on her face.
She looked nothing like the bride who had been smiling for photographs an hour earlier.
“Daniel told me I had to do it,” she whispered.
Evelyn stiffened.
“Do what?””
Aaliyah looked at Marcus.
“Make you turn against your mother.””
Marcus's expression changed.
“What?””
Aaliyah swallowed.
“Daniel said your mother was the only person who could stop the marriage.””
Evelyn stared at her.
“My own son?””
“He said she had access to everything. The family accounts. The property documents. The trust.””
Marcus stepped backward.
“No.””
Aaliyah rushed toward him.
“Marcus, I didn't want to hurt you.””
“You were going to take my house.””
“I was told it would be temporary.””
Evelyn's voice became dangerously calm.
“Who told you?””
Aaliyah looked away.
“Daniel.””
Marcus shook his head.
“Why would Daniel want my house?””
“I don't know.””
“You do.””
“I don't!””
The room erupted into overlapping voices.
Marcus demanded answers.
Aaliyah sobbed.
Evelyn remained silent.
Then the family member lowered the tablet.
“There’s more.””
Everyone stopped.
He tapped the screen.
The recording continued.
Aaliyah had been pacing near the mirror.
Her voice was clearer now.
“I already made Evelyn look unstable.””
Marcus stared.
Aaliyah's face collapsed.
The recording continued.
“She'll confront me. She always does.””
The man's voice replied:
“Then let her. Marcus will choose you.””
Aaliyah whispered:
“And if he doesn't?””
A pause.
Then the man answered.
“Use the attack.””
Marcus's head snapped toward the screen.
“What attack?””
Aaliyah closed her eyes.
Evelyn looked at her.
“What attack?””
Aaliyah said nothing.
Marcus grabbed the tablet.
“WHAT ATTACK?””
The family member stepped back.
Aaliyah finally whispered:
“The one in the bridal suite.””
Evelyn felt cold spread through her chest.
Marcus looked at her.
“What is she talking about?””
Aaliyah's shoulders shook.
“I was supposed to make it look like someone attacked me.””
Evelyn stared at her.
“Why?””
“To make you look guilty.””
Marcus's mouth fell open.
Aaliyah continued through tears.
“Daniel said if I accused you of attacking me before the ceremony, you'd be arrested or removed from the hotel. Marcus would blame you. He'd cut you off.””
Evelyn's voice barely came out.
“My son planned this?””
Aaliyah nodded.
“He said you had to disappear from Marcus's life.””
Marcus backed against the vanity.
“No.””
He looked at the screen again.
“No, Daniel wouldn't do that.””
Aaliyah whispered:
“He already did.””
Marcus stared at her.
“What does that mean?””
She reached into the pocket of her robe and pulled out her phone.
“I received a message this morning.””
She handed it to Marcus.
The screen showed a text from Daniel.
*How did you get her to leave the room?*
Marcus looked up.
Aaliyah's eyes were full of tears.
“I told him your mother was gone.””
Evelyn took a step forward.
“And then?””
Aaliyah's phone vibrated.
Everyone jumped.
A new message appeared.
*Did you start the attack yet?*
Marcus stared at the screen.
Then another message arrived.
*Don't make me come upstairs.*
Marcus's breathing changed.
He looked toward the bridal suite door.
Evelyn whispered:
“Where is Daniel?””
No one answered.
Then footsteps stopped outside the door.
A shadow appeared beneath it.
And a man's voice said:
“Open the door.””
Marcus looked at his mother.
Evelyn whispered:
May you like
“Don't.””
The handle began to turn.
