Chapter 9: The Person Who Knew Too Much
I didn’t sleep that night.
I sat at the kitchen table with my first wife’s notebook open in front of me.
For years, I had convinced myself that her death was something I had to accept.
A tragedy.
An accident.
Something painful but simple.
Now everything felt different.
The memories I trusted were changing.
The people I trusted were changing.
And I hated that feeling.
The next morning, I showed the notebook to Ethan.
He read silently.
Then he looked at me.
“Dad…”
“I know.””
“How did we not know?””
I looked down.
“Because we believed people.””
Ethan closed the notebook.
“What are you going to do?””
I didn’t answer immediately.
Because I finally understood something.
This wasn’t just about Vanessa anymore.
It was about the truth my family had been denied.
I called Andrew.
He answered immediately.
“Mr. Marcus?””
“I need information about my first wife.””
There was silence.
Then:
“I was afraid you would find this.””
My grip tightened.
“You knew?””
“Your father suspected something.””
“What did he know?””
Andrew sighed.
“There was evidence that someone had been watching your family before Vanessa entered your life.””
I looked at the notebook.
“Who?””
“We never confirmed it.””
“Try.””
A pause.
Then he said:
“Vanessa’s mother.””
My stomach turned.
I ended the call and immediately searched for Vanessa’s mother’s address.
But before I could leave, someone knocked.
I opened the door.
It was Vanessa.
She looked exhausted.
Her eyes were swollen from crying.
“Marcus.””
I didn’t move.
“What do you want?””
She looked past me.
“Can I talk to you?””
“No.””
Her expression hurt.
“Please.””
I almost closed the door.
Almost.
Then she said:
“I know about your first wife.””
My hand stopped.
“What?””
Vanessa looked down.
“I know what happened.””
The world became quiet.
“What did you say?””
She swallowed.
“I know what happened the night she died.””
I opened the door wider.
“Come inside.””
She stepped in slowly.
But I stayed standing.
“Talk.””
Vanessa looked at the notebook on the table.
“She found out about my mother.””
My heart pounded.
“About what?””
“She discovered my mother had been trying to access your family trust for years.””
I stared.
“And you knew?””
Vanessa started crying.
“I knew pieces.””
“You married me anyway.””
“I thought I could fix it.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Fix it?””
She looked at me.
“I didn’t know it would become this.””
“You still lied.””
“Yes.””
The honesty surprised me.
“I lied.””
She wiped her tears.
“But there is something you don’t know.””
I waited.
“Daniel wasn’t the person who started this.””
My eyes narrowed.
“Then who was?””
Vanessa looked terrified.
“My mother.””
I shook my head.
“We know that.””
“No.””
She stepped closer.
“You don’t understand.””
She looked at the notebook.
“She didn’t just want your money.””
I felt a chill.
“What did she want?””
Vanessa whispered:
“She wanted Lily.””
My blood went cold.
“What?””
Vanessa looked at the floor.
“Before I met you, my mother found out something about Lily’s birth.””
I couldn’t breathe.
“What are you saying?””
She looked at me.
“Lily wasn’t supposed to be with you.””
I felt anger rise.
“Choose your next words carefully.””
Vanessa’s eyes filled with fear.
“I’m telling you the truth.””
A car suddenly stopped outside.
All of us turned.
A familiar figure stepped out.
Daniel.
But he wasn’t alone.
He was carrying a folder.
He walked to the door and looked directly at me.
“Marcus.””
His face was serious.
“You need to hear this before Vanessa tells you a lie.””
I stared at him.
“What now?””
Daniel held up the folder.
“This contains the truth about Lily’s birth.””
My heart stopped.
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Then he said:
“And once you read it, you’ll understand why Vanessa’s family has been watching you for years.””
