Chapter 6: The Last Person Who Saw My Father
The words followed me everywhere.
Even after Vanessa stopped speaking.
Even after the guests left.
Even after the wedding venue lights were turned off one by one.
I kept hearing them.
"I was the last person who saw him alive.""
I sat in the empty reception hall.
The same place where I was supposed to dance with my wife for the first time.
Instead, I was staring at evidence that my entire marriage might have been built on a lie.
Vanessa sat across from me.
No makeup.
No perfect wedding smile.
Just a woman who looked exhausted.
"Tell me everything.""
She nodded slowly.
"I will.""
My mother stood nearby.
I expected anger from her.
Instead, she looked afraid.
That scared me more.
Vanessa took a deep breath.
"Three years ago, I found a box in my mother's house.""
"What was inside?""
"Documents.""
"About my father?""
She nodded.
"She kept everything.""
"Why?""
"Because she was afraid.""
I leaned forward.
"Afraid of what?""
Vanessa looked at the bracelet on the table.
"Your father.""
My eyebrows tightened.
"My father?""
"He knew my mother was involved.""
"Involved with what?""
She looked down.
"The money.""
The word hung between us.
"My mother helped move money from your father's company.""
My jaw tightened.
"So she stole from him.""
"Yes.""
My mother closed her eyes.
Vanessa continued.
"But my father wasn't trying to expose her.""
I frowned.
"Why not?""
"Because he knew someone else was behind it.""
"Who?""
She looked at my mother.
And my entire body went cold.
My mother immediately shook her head.
"No.""
Vanessa looked back at me.
"I don't know if it was your mother.""
"Then why look at her?""
"Because that's what my mother believed.""
I stood.
"Everyone keeps saying my mother did something.""
"Because she was there.""
"Where?""
Vanessa swallowed.
"At the hotel.""
The room became silent.
"My mother arranged a meeting between your father and someone else.""
"Who?""
Vanessa shook her head.
"I don't know.""
"You're telling me you know everything except the one thing that matters?""
She started crying.
"I know how it sounds.""
"It sounds like you've been protecting secrets.""
"I was.""
The honesty surprised me.
"Why?""
"Because my mother made me promise.""
"Promise what?""
"That I would never reveal what happened that night.""
I stared at her.
"Even if it destroyed me?""
She looked away.
"Yes.""
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
Then my mother walked toward us.
"Vanessa.""
Everyone stopped.
My mother's voice was calm.
Almost painfully calm.
"You said your mother arranged the meeting.""
Vanessa nodded.
"Yes.""
"Who did she call?""
"I don't know.""
My mother looked at the photograph.
Then something changed in her face.
Fear.
Recognition.
"Mom?""
She reached for the picture.
Her hands shook.
"Where did you get this?""
"From Vanessa's mother's files.""
My mother stared at it.
Then whispered:
"This isn't possible.""
"What?""
She pointed at the background.
At the hotel entrance.
"There.""
I looked closer.
A man was standing behind my father.
Partially hidden.
But visible.
My mother picked up the photo with trembling fingers.
"That man...""
"Who is he?""
She looked at me.
And for the first time in my life, I saw my mother truly terrified.
"Your father's attorney.""
I frowned.
"The same attorney who handled his will?""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
Vanessa looked confused.
"Why would that matter?""
My mother turned the photograph over.
There was writing.
A name.
A name none of us had noticed before.
My father's handwriting.
"Daniel Cross.""
I looked at my mother.
"Who is Daniel Cross?""
She didn't answer.
Because she was staring at the door.
Everyone turned.
A man stood there.
Older.
Wearing a dark coat.
Holding a briefcase.
My blood ran cold.
Because I recognized him.
From the photograph.
From my father's last night.
The man stepped inside.
"Marcus Hayes?""
Nobody moved.
He looked directly at me.
"I know this is a terrible time.""
His eyes moved to Vanessa.
Then to my mother.
"But you need to hear the truth before either of them tells you a lie.""
I stood.
"Who are you?""
He opened the briefcase.
"I was your father's attorney.""
He placed a file on the table.
May you like
Then he said:
"And I was the person who helped your father disappear.""
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