Chapter 7: My Father’s Final Warning
I stared at the name written beneath my father’s signature.
*Vanessa’s mother.*
For several seconds, I couldn’t move.
The office around me disappeared.
All I could see was that name.
A name connected to the woman I had married.
A name my father had written about before he died.
Andrew watched me carefully.
“Mr. Marcus, I know this is difficult.””
I looked up.
“Difficult?””
My voice cracked.
“My father died knowing something like this could happen, and nobody told me?””
Andrew lowered his eyes.
“There were legal reasons.””
“Legal reasons?””
I stood up.
“My father left a warning about someone entering my family.””
Andrew remained calm.
“Your father was afraid that if he confronted the situation directly, it would make things worse.””
I looked back at the folder.
“What did he know?””
Andrew opened the document.
“Your father hired a private investigator shortly before his death.””
My stomach tightened.
“Why?””
“Because he noticed unusual activity around the family trust.””
The inheritance.
The money meant for Lily and Ethan.
Andrew continued.
“He discovered someone had been researching the details of the trust.””
I swallowed.
“Vanessa.””
Andrew nodded.
“Not just Vanessa.””
He pointed to the papers.
“Her mother was involved.””
I sat down slowly.
“What did they want?””
Andrew handed me another page.
“It appears they believed marrying into your family would give them access to the trust.””
I read the document.
The words blurred.
My father had written notes beside the investigator’s findings.
*They don’t care about Marcus. They care about what Marcus protects.*
I closed my eyes.
Those words hurt.
Because my father had seen what I couldn’t.
He knew someone was pretending.
And I ignored every warning sign.
“Why didn’t he tell me?””
Andrew looked at me.
“Because he thought you wouldn’t believe him.””
I looked up sharply.
“What?””
“He wrote that you had always wanted to see the best in people.””
That sounded exactly like my father.
He always said my biggest strength was also my weakness.
I trusted too easily.
I wanted people to be good.
Andrew handed me the final page.
“This is the letter.””
I unfolded it.
The handwriting was shaky.
My father must have written it near the end of his life.
*Marcus,*
*If you are reading this, I failed to protect you from a danger I saw coming.*
I stopped.
My eyes burned.
*You have always believed love can change people. I hope you are right. But some people mistake kindness for weakness.*
I continued reading.
*Protect Lily and Ethan. They are the most valuable things you have ever been given. Money can be replaced. Trust cannot.*
I held the letter tightly.
My father had known.
He knew someone would try to hurt my children.
And somehow, despite everything, he was still trying to protect them.
Andrew cleared his throat.
“There is one more thing.””
I looked at him.
“What?””
He hesitated.
“Your father’s investigator discovered Vanessa had contact with someone else.””
My heart sank.
“Daniel?””
Andrew shook his head.
“No.””
He placed another file on the table.
“This person was involved before Vanessa ever met you.””
I opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
A woman.
Older.
Elegant.
Cold eyes.
I recognized her immediately.
Vanessa’s mother.
But the date on the photograph shocked me.
It was taken fifteen years ago.
The caption underneath read:
*Meeting regarding Marcus’ family trust.*
I looked at Andrew.
“Why would she care about my family fifteen years ago?””
Andrew didn’t answer.
Instead, he pulled out one more document.
“This is why your father was investigating.””
I read the title.
My hands went cold.
*Adoption Records Request.*
I looked at him.
“What is this?””
Andrew’s expression changed.
“Mr. Marcus…”
He paused.
“There is something about your children’s history that you were never told.””
My heart stopped.
“What are you talking about?””
He pushed the document toward me.
“The trust wasn’t the only thing Vanessa’s family was interested in.””
I looked down at the papers.
Then at Andrew.
“What else?””
May you like
His voice became quieter.
“They were searching for information about Lily’s biological mother.””
