Chapter 7: The Truth Daniel Buried
I stared at Daniel across the office.
The man who betrayed me.
The man who broke my heart.
The man who might have just reopened the investigation into my father’s death.
For the first time in months, I had no idea what to believe.
Richard noticed my confusion.
And he smiled.
That was when I understood something.
He wanted me divided.
He wanted me angry at Daniel.
He wanted me to see only one villain.
Because as long as I was looking at Daniel, I wasn’t looking at him.
I lowered my phone.
"Did you request the investigation?""
Daniel didn’t answer immediately.
That hesitation hurt more than a lie.
"Daniel.""
He looked at me.
"Yes.""
Richard laughed.
"There she is. The truth finally comes out.""
Daniel ignored him.
"I did it because I found something.""
"What?""
He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a small envelope.
My hands tightened.
Another envelope.
Another secret.
He placed it on the desk.
"I found this three weeks before Vanessa came into our house.""
I looked at him.
"Three weeks?""
He nodded.
"And you still let me believe you loved me.""
His face fell.
"I did love you.""
The words almost made me angry.
"Don't.""
"I know how it sounds.""
"No, Daniel.""
I stepped closer.
"You don't get to say that like love and betrayal can exist in the same sentence.""
He looked down.
Maybe because he knew I was right.
Richard moved toward the desk.
"This is pointless.""
Daniel immediately blocked him.
"No.""
Richard's expression changed.
A flicker of irritation.
Small.
But I saw it.
Daniel continued.
"I spent six years protecting you.""
Richard laughed.
"Protecting me?""
"Keeping quiet.""
"Because you were afraid.""
"Because I was guilty.""
The admission filled the room.
I looked at him.
Daniel swallowed.
"When your father discovered what Richard was doing, he confronted us.""
Us.
The word hit me.
"You were there.""
He nodded.
"Yes.""
My stomach turned.
"On the night he died?""
Daniel closed his eyes.
"Yes.""
The room became silent.
I felt like I couldn't breathe.
"Tell me everything.""
Richard stepped forward.
"Don't listen to him.""
I turned sharply.
"Why?""
"Because he wants forgiveness.""
I looked at Richard.
"And you want what?""
For the first time, his smile disappeared.
Only for a second.
But it disappeared.
Daniel noticed too.
He opened the envelope.
Inside was a flash drive.
"He recorded everything.""
Richard froze.
"What?""
Daniel looked at him.
"Your mistake was thinking you destroyed every copy.""
Richard moved toward him.
Fast.
Too fast.
Daniel grabbed his arm.
The two men struggled.
The folder fell.
Papers scattered across the floor.
I stepped back.
Then I saw it.
A document.
A familiar signature.
My father's.
I picked it up.
The title made my heart stop.
*Emergency Transfer of Ownership.*
I read the first paragraph.
Then the second.
My father had changed everything before his death.
Not after.
Before.
He knew something was coming.
And he had prepared.
"Mara," Daniel whispered.
I looked at him.
"What?""
His face was filled with regret.
"Your father knew.""
"Knew what?""
"That Richard was planning to take control.""
I looked back at the paper.
"And me?""
Daniel's voice softened.
"He knew you would be alone.""
I hated that my eyes burned.
Because despite everything, I missed my father.
I missed the person who always made me feel safe.
Richard suddenly stopped fighting.
He looked at me.
"You think your father was protecting you?""
I stared.
"He was protecting his legacy.""
I said nothing.
Richard smiled again.
"But he didn't know one thing.""
"What?""
"He didn't know you would marry Daniel.""
Daniel went pale.
I looked at him.
Richard continued.
"Your father trusted the wrong man twice.""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"Stop.""
"No.""
Richard stepped closer.
"He should have told you the truth about your husband.""
My heart pounded.
"What truth?""
Daniel looked away.
That was all I needed.
"Daniel.""
He whispered:
"I wasn't just working for your father.""
I waited.
"I was investigating Richard for him.""
The room went silent.
"You were?""
He nodded.
"Your father knew I made mistakes. But he believed I could help fix them.""
I stared at him.
"Then why hide it?""
His eyes filled with regret.
"Because after he died, Richard threatened you.""
I froze.
"What?""
"He knew you were the beneficiary. He knew if you found out, you'd destroy everything.""
Richard smiled.
"And you believed him?""
Daniel looked at me.
"I thought I was protecting you.""
A bitter laugh escaped me.
"You protected me by lying to me for six years?""
He looked down.
"I know.""
For once, he didn't defend himself.
And somehow that hurt more.
Then Richard’s phone rang.
He checked the screen.
The confidence left his face.
Just for a moment.
"What happened?"" I asked.
He didn't answer.
He walked toward the door.
Daniel grabbed his shoulder.
"Where are you going?""
Richard looked at him.
"Leaving.""
"Why?""
Richard looked at me.
"Because the person who started this is no longer waiting.""
My blood ran cold.
"What does that mean?""
Richard smiled.
Then he said something I would never forget.
"You still think I'm the biggest monster in this story.""
May you like
The door closed behind him.
And suddenly, I wasn't sure anymore.
