Chapter 5: The House of Forgotten Secrets
For several seconds, Marcus couldn't move.
He stared at his phone.
“Dad?””
No answer.
He called the number back.
Disconnected.
Eleanor was trembling so violently that I reached for her hand.
“Mrs. Blackwood, are you all right?””
She shook her head.
“Your father's mother,” she whispered.
Marcus turned.
“What?””
Eleanor looked at him.
“My mother. Your grandmother. She was buried in the family cemetery, but Richard built a private house near the estate where he kept her belongings.””
Marcus frowned.
“Why would Dad say he was in the house where they buried her?””
“Because he believed she had been murdered.””
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Noah moved closer to me.
“Mommy, is Grandpa in trouble?””
I brushed his hair away from his forehead.
“Yes, sweetheart. But we're going to help him.””
Marcus picked up his coat.
“Get the car.””
His attorney, who had just arrived, stepped into the room.
“Marcus, you cannot go charging into a private property without knowing what you're walking into.””
“That's my father.””
“And there may be armed security.””
Marcus stopped.
For a moment, I saw the frightened young man I had married beneath the billionaire's polished exterior.
Then he looked at Noah.
“I've already lost five years with my son. I'm not losing another minute with my father.””
I stood.
“I'm coming.””
He turned toward me.
“Danielle, you don't have to.””
“I spent five years wondering why my own child cried in my dreams. I won't let another member of this family disappear.””
Marcus nodded.
Eleanor insisted on accompanying us, but her doctor advised against it.
She reluctantly agreed to remain at the hotel with Noah and two trusted guards.
Before we left, she pulled me aside.
“Danielle, there's something I haven't told Marcus.””
“What is it?””
She looked toward the hallway to make sure nobody was listening.
“Your accident wasn't random.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“What?””
“Richard told me that the brakes on your car had been tampered with.””
My fingers went cold.
“Who did it?””
Eleanor looked down.
“We never found out. But your father-in-law believed Daniel had ordered it.””
I swallowed.
“And Vanessa?””
Eleanor's eyes filled.
“She was the last person seen speaking to you before you left the charity dinner that night.””
The memory came back in fragments.
A crowded restaurant.
A glass of water.
Vanessa standing beside the entrance.
Her red lipstick.
And a voice saying, Marcus needs you at the office. There's an emergency.
I had followed her outside.
Then nothing.
I hurried after Marcus.
We drove through the Georgia countryside in a black SUV, followed by two security vehicles.
The destination was a secluded property outside Savannah.
The house stood behind iron gates, surrounded by towering oak trees. Its windows were dark, and weeds had grown around the stone pathway.
Marcus stepped out.
“Dad?””
No response.
He approached the front door.
It was unlocked.
Inside, the air smelled of dust, old furniture, and disinfectant.
A wheelchair stood near the fireplace.
On a side table sat a half-empty glass of water.
Someone had been there recently.
Marcus called out again.
“Dad! It's Marcus!””
A faint tapping came from upstairs.
Three slow knocks.
Then silence.
We climbed the staircase.
At the end of the hallway was a locked bedroom door.
Marcus tried the handle.
“Dad?””
A weak voice answered.
“Don't open it.””
Marcus froze.
“It's me.””
“Marcus?””
“Yes!””
There was a metallic click.
The door opened a few inches.
An elderly man sat in a wheelchair beside the window.
His hair was completely white. His face was thin, and one side of his body appeared weak.
But his eyes were unmistakable.
Richard Blackwood.
Marcus dropped to his knees.
“Dad.””
Richard reached for him.
“My boy.””
Marcus held his father's hand and began crying.
“I thought you were dead.””
Richard's eyes filled.
“I thought I would never see you again.””
I stood near the doorway.
Richard slowly looked up.
His expression changed.
“Danielle?””
I couldn't speak.
He stared at me for several seconds.
Then he began crying.
“Oh, sweetheart.””
I approached him.
“Mr. Blackwood…”
He shook his head.
“Don't call me that. You were always my daughter.””
He held my hand.
“I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.””
Marcus looked between us.
“Dad, tell us everything.””
Richard swallowed.
“Daniel and Vanessa wanted control of the company. They discovered your wife had found evidence of their theft.””
“What evidence?”” Marcus demanded.
“An offshore account. Millions of dollars moved through shell companies. Your brother used company funds to pay for properties, private medical facilities, and people who could make problems disappear.””
Marcus's jaw tightened.
“And the accident?””
Richard closed his eyes.
“They wanted Danielle dead.””
I felt my knees weaken.
Richard continued.
“But the car went off the road before they expected. Danielle survived. Daniel panicked. Vanessa arranged for her to be transferred before anyone could contact you.””
Marcus gripped the wheelchair.
“Why didn't you stop them?””
Richard looked away.
“Because they had me, too.””
He pulled up the sleeve of his shirt.
A thick scar ran along his forearm.
“They gave me medication that left me confused and unable to speak properly. They told everyone I had suffered a stroke. Then they kept me hidden.””
Marcus covered his mouth.
“Dad…”
Richard reached toward the bedside cabinet.
“There is something else. Something you need to see.””
He pulled out a small leather notebook.
Inside were handwritten transactions, dates, and names.
I recognized one name immediately.
Vanessa Monroe.
But beneath it was another name.
A name that made Marcus step backward.
“That's impossible.””
Richard looked at his son.
“No, Marcus. It's the reason they were so desperate to keep Danielle away.””
He pointed to the final page.
“Your brother didn't just steal from you.””
Marcus stared at the figures.
“He was planning to take the company.””
Richard shook his head.
“He already owns more of it than you think.””
Before Marcus could respond, a loud crash came from downstairs.
One of the security guards shouted.
“Mr. Blackwood! We have company!””
Marcus rushed toward the staircase.
I turned to Richard.
“Who is it?””
He gripped my wrist.
“Danielle, don't let them take the notebook.””
“Who?””
Richard's voice dropped to a whisper.
“The man who signed the order to kill you.””
A shadow appeared in the doorway.
And a familiar voice spoke.
“Hello, Danielle.””
I turned.
May you like
Daniel Blackwood stood at the top of the stairs.
And he was holding a gun.
