Chapter 17: The Final Lie
The name felt impossible.
Daniel.
Again.
Even after everything.
Even after the betrayal.
Even after the lies.
Somehow, he was still connected to the center of the storm.
I looked at my father.
“No.””
He nodded.
“The security records show Daniel’s access code was used.””
My hands tightened.
“He gave Robert access?””
“Yes.””
Rebecca looked devastated.
“Why?””
Nobody answered.
Because the answer was obvious.
Daniel had never been trapped.
Not completely.
He had choices.
And he kept choosing wrong.
I walked out of the study.
I needed air.
I needed space.
But mostly, I needed to understand how I could have loved someone who was a stranger.
Outside, Daniel stood near the garden.
Waiting.
Of course he was.
He looked at me.
“Vivienne.””
I stopped.
“Did you give Robert access?””
His face changed.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
“Yes.””
The honesty shocked me.
I stared.
“Why?””
He looked down.
“Because he promised he could fix everything.””
I laughed.
“Fix everything?””
“He said he could make the investigation disappear.””
My stomach tightened.
“So you knew about the investigation?””
“Yes.””
“How long?””
Daniel didn’t answer.
“Daniel.””
His shoulders dropped.
“Since before we married.””
The pain was almost physical.
“You knew my mother was investigating your family.””
“Yes.””
“And you still married me.””
“Yes.””
The answer was unbearable.
I looked away.
“Why?””
His voice broke.
“Because I was scared.””
I turned back.
“Scared?””
“My father threatened me.””
I froze.
“He was alive?””
Daniel nodded.
“Before he died, he knew I had feelings for you.””
The words sounded impossible.
“He knew?””
“Yes.””
Daniel stepped closer.
“He told me if I didn’t follow his plan, he would destroy my mother.””
I frowned.
“Your mother?””
Daniel nodded.
“My father had evidence against Eleanor too.””
The family tree of betrayal kept growing.
“Everyone was controlling everyone.””
“Yes.””
He looked at me.
“But I still chose wrong.””
At least he admitted it.
That didn’t erase anything.
But it mattered.
“I should have told you.””
“Yes.””
“I tried.””
“When?””
He looked away.
“Many times.””
I almost smiled.
“Trying is not the same as doing.””
He nodded.
“I know.””
A long silence passed.
Then Daniel reached into his pocket.
He pulled out a small object.
My breath stopped.
A flash drive.
“What is that?””
“The real evidence.””
I stared.
“What?””
“Robert doesn’t know I have it.””
My eyes narrowed.
“Why should I trust you?””
“You shouldn’t.””
The answer surprised me.
Daniel looked exhausted.
“But you should see what’s on it.””
He handed it to me.
I didn’t take it immediately.
“What is it?””
“A recording.””
“Of what?””
Daniel looked toward the house.
“The night your mother died.””
The world stopped.
“You have a recording?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
“My father made it.””
My hands shook.
“And you kept it?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Daniel’s eyes filled with regret.
“Because I was waiting for the day I stopped being a coward.””
I took the flash drive.
Before I could say anything, a sound came from behind us.
A branch breaking.
We turned.
Nobody.
Daniel immediately moved in front of me.
Old instinct.
Maybe real.
Maybe not.
Then my phone buzzed.
A message.
*Don’t trust him.*
I stared at the screen.
Another message appeared.
*The recording is fake.*
A third message.
*Ask Daniel who really killed your mother.*
I slowly looked at Daniel.
His face had changed.
“Vivienne…”
I whispered:
“What did you do?””
May you like
He looked away.
And that was the answer.
