Chapter 5: The Woman From My Father’s Past
Nobody moved.
The woman stood at the edge of the garden, wearing a dark coat despite the warm afternoon.
She looked calm.
Too calm.
Like she had been waiting years for this moment.
My mother stepped in front of me.
“Leave.””
The woman smiled sadly.
“Still protecting him, Evelyn?””
My mother’s expression hardened.
“You don’t get to come here.””
The woman looked around at the ruined wedding.
The broken flowers.
The soaked decorations.
The guests who didn’t know whether to leave.
Then she looked at me.
“I’m sorry you had to find out this way.””
I stared at her.
“Who are you?””
She took a breath.
“My name is Victoria.””
I waited.
She didn’t continue.
So I said:
“And?””
Her eyes moved to my mother.
“Your father and I were married before he met Evelyn.””
My entire body went numb.
“That’s impossible.””
My mother said nothing.
Victoria looked at me with sadness.
“It’s not.””
I turned to my mother.
“Mom?””
She looked away.
That was the answer.
A million questions rushed through my head.
Why had she lied?
Why had my father’s past been hidden?
Why had everyone around me known pieces of a story I never even heard?
“Why?”” I asked.
My mother’s voice was barely audible.
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
Victoria answered.
“Of me.””
My eyes snapped toward her.
“You threatened my mother?””
“No.””
She looked almost offended.
“Your mother was afraid because she knew what your father left behind.””
“What did he leave?””
Victoria reached into her bag.
She pulled out a small folder.
Another envelope.
Another secret.
I almost laughed.
My entire life had apparently been hidden inside pieces of paper.
She handed it to me.
“Your father discovered that someone close to him had been moving money from his company.””
I opened the folder.
Inside were financial records.
Transfers.
Names.
Dates.
Then I saw one name repeatedly.
Evelyn.
My heart stopped.
I looked up.
My mother looked devastated.
“No.””
The word came from her lips.
“I can explain.””
I stepped back.
“Your name is everywhere.””
“Marcus, please.””
Victoria shook her head.
“She didn’t steal from him.””
I looked at her.
“Then why is her name there?””
“Because she helped him investigate.””
I froze.
My mother looked at Victoria.
“Why are you doing this?””
Victoria’s expression changed.
“Because he deserves the truth.””
She pointed at the folder.
“Your father was close to exposing someone.””
“Who?””
Nobody answered.
Then my phone buzzed.
Another message.
This time from Claire.
The woman who left the voicemail.
I opened it.
A single sentence appeared.
*Don’t trust Victoria. She is the reason your father died.*
My fingers went cold.
I looked at Victoria.
She was watching me.
“You received a message, didn’t you?””
I didn’t answer.
Her expression changed.
Not surprise.
Recognition.
“You need to understand something, Marcus.””
“What?””
“Everyone around you is going to tell you they were protecting you.””
She stepped closer.
“But some people only protect you because they need you alive.””
The words made my stomach turn.
My mother grabbed my arm.
“Don’t go with her.””
Victoria looked at her.
“You’re still lying.””
My mother’s voice shook.
“I buried enough secrets.””
Victoria smiled bitterly.
“No, Evelyn.””
She looked at me.
“You buried one secret.””
A pause.
“Your father’s final message.””
I felt the air leave my lungs.
“My father left a message?””
My mother closed her eyes.
Victoria nodded.
“And only one person knows where it is.””
I looked at my mother.
She didn’t deny it.
That was the most terrifying part.
“Where is it?””
May you like
My mother whispered:
“In the place where your father died.””
