Chapter 9: The Woman Who Was Erased
I read the message three times.
Then a fourth.
*Ask Marianne why your first wife disappeared.*
The words didn’t make sense.
They couldn’t.
Because my first wife hadn’t disappeared.
She had died.
At least, that was what I had always believed.
A car accident.
A rainy night.
A phone call that changed my entire life.
That was the story.
The only story.
I looked at Marianne.
Her face had gone completely pale.
And that told me everything.
“You knew.””
She didn’t answer.
“You knew about my first wife?””
Marianne sat down slowly.
“I didn’t know how much you knew.””
My hands clenched.
“That isn’t an answer.””
Zoria stood nearby, frozen.
She looked between us.
“Dad…”
I looked at my daughter.
“Go upstairs.””
“But—”
“Please.””
She hesitated, then walked away.
The second she disappeared, I turned back to Marianne.
“Start talking.””
She wiped her face.
“I never wanted this.””
I laughed quietly.
“You never wanted what?””
“The lies.””
“The stolen scholarship?””
“No.””
“The money?””
“No.””
“The fake documents?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“No.””
“Then what exactly are you sorry for?””
She looked down.
“For not realizing how dangerous Victor was.””
I stepped closer.
“You still haven’t answered my question.””
She closed her eyes.
Then she whispered:
“Victor knew your first wife.””
The room felt like it tilted.
“How?””
Marianne swallowed.
“He knew her through business.””
My heart started pounding.
“My first wife never mentioned him.””
“She didn’t know his real intentions.””
“What intentions?””
Marianne looked at me.
“The same ones he had with you.””
I stared.
“You’re saying Victor targeted me before I met you?””
She nodded slowly.
“He was looking for someone with money, stability, and a reputation he could use.””
My stomach turned.
“And you?””
“I was supposed to help him.””
The honesty shocked me.
For once, there was no excuse.
No blame.
Just the truth.
“How?””
Marianne’s voice became smaller.
“He introduced himself to me after my divorce from Ethan.””
She looked away.
“He knew I needed financial help. He knew I wanted security for Kendra.””
“And he offered you a deal.””
“Yes.””
I waited.
“He told me if I helped him get close to you, he would make sure Kendra and I were protected.””
I felt disgust rising.
“You married me because of him.””
“At first.””
The words hurt.
Even though I expected them.
“At first?””
Marianne started crying.
“Daniel, somewhere along the way, I did love you.””
I looked at her.
“But you never told me the truth.””
“No.””
“You let me believe I was saving you.””
“I was ashamed.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“You were afraid.””
She didn’t argue.
Then she said:
“There’s something you don’t know about the night your first wife died.””
My entire body went still.
“What?””
Marianne looked toward the window.
“The accident wasn’t random.””
I couldn’t breathe.
“What are you saying?””
“I’m saying Victor had something to do with it.””
The room went silent.
“You’re lying.””
“I wish I was.””
I stared at her.
“Why would you tell me this now?””
“Because he’s scared.””
“Of what?””
“You.””
I almost laughed.
“Why?””
“Because you found the records.””
She pointed toward the file.
“You found proof.””
I looked at the documents.
The transfers.
The contracts.
The plan.
“How much does he have?””
Marianne looked at me.
“Enough to destroy people.””
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
Again.
I answered.
A man’s voice came through.
Calm.
Controlled.
Victor.
“Daniel.””
I said nothing.
“You’re making a mistake.””
“You ruined my life.””
A pause.
Then he laughed softly.
“No. I gave you one.””
“One what?””
“A family.””
My blood boiled.
“You manipulated my marriage.””
“I gave Marianne an opportunity.””
“You used my wife.””
“No.””
His voice became colder.
“Your wife used herself.””
I gripped the phone.
“What do you want?””
“I want the file.””
“No.””
“Then I’ll release everything.””
I looked at Marianne.
“What everything?””
Victor continued.
“The truth about your first wife.””
My heart stopped.
“What do you mean?””
“You think she died because of bad weather?””
Silence.
“You have no idea what happened that night.””
The call ended.
I stood there holding the phone.
Then Marianne whispered:
“He’s not bluffing.””
I turned.
“Where is the evidence?””
She looked terrified.
“Hidden.””
“Where?””
She hesitated.
Then:
“In the one place Victor never thought you would look.””
“Where?””
Marianne looked upstairs.
At Zoria’s room.
My blood ran cold.
“Why would it be there?””
Because of her answer.
Because of what she said next.
“Because Victor wasn’t just trying to control our family.””
May you like
She swallowed.
“He was trying to control yours.””
