Chapter 13: The Woman Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
I stared at the photograph on my phone.
My mother.
Alive.
Standing beside Jonathan outside a black limousine.
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
The woman I'd buried six years earlier was apparently standing in an airport parking lot.
"Emily," I whispered.
She looked at the photograph.
Her face went pale.
"Mr. Reed... is that your mother?""
I nodded.
"Call Thomas. Now.""
Emily dialed the number.
It rang twice.
Then someone answered.
"Marcus?""
"Thomas, where is my mother?""
There was a pause.
"You're looking at the photograph, aren't you?""
"Don't play games with me. Is she alive?""
"Yes.""
I gripped the phone.
"Why was she declared dead?""
"Because she wanted to disappear.""
I felt anger rising in my chest.
"She let me bury an empty coffin?""
Thomas sighed.
"Marcus, I know how this sounds.""
"How it sounds? I spent six years visiting her grave!""
"She believed disappearing was the only way to protect you.""
"From whom?""
"Arthur.""
I turned toward the window.
My mother had allowed me to mourn her while she was still alive.
She had allowed me to believe I'd lost both parents.
And now she was standing beside the man who'd helped destroy my family.
"Why is she with Jonathan?""
"Because Jonathan found her first.""
"How?""
"He discovered the original trust agreement. Your mother had been protecting it for years.""
I looked at Emily.
"Where is Jonathan now?""
Thomas answered.
"He's preparing to board the private aircraft. Arthur is already inside.""
I grabbed my jacket.
"Tell my mother not to leave.""
"Marcus, listen. She might not come willingly.""
"I don't care. I'm going there.""
The drive to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport felt like an eternity.
Emily sat beside me, speaking with the detective.
Our security vehicle followed behind.
When we arrived, the private aviation terminal was surrounded by officers.
A black limousine stood near the entrance.
The photograph had been taken from almost the same angle.
I stepped out.
Then I saw her.
My mother was standing beside Jonathan.
Her hair was shorter. Her face was thinner. There were lines around her eyes that I didn't remember.
But it was her.
The same woman who used to hum while preparing breakfast.
The same woman who had kissed my forehead before every school exam.
The same woman whose funeral I'd attended.
"Mom?""
She turned.
Her hand flew to her mouth.
"Marcus.""
I walked toward her.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then I stopped directly in front of her.
"You're alive.""
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Yes, sweetheart.""
I shook my head.
"Six years.""
She reached for my hand.
"Please.""
"Six years, Mom.""
"I know.""
"I buried you.""
She began crying harder.
"I know.""
I pulled my hand away.
"Why?""
She looked toward Jonathan.
"Because Arthur threatened your life.""
I stared at her.
"Arthur?""
"He had discovered the truth about the trust. He knew I was holding the controlling rights. He threatened to destroy anyone who tried to expose him.""
"Why didn't you come to me?""
"Because Jonathan was already working with him. I didn't know who I could trust.""
I looked at my brother.
"Is that why you've been pretending to cooperate with the police?""
Jonathan said nothing.
My mother stepped between us.
"Marcus, please don't blame your brother for everything.""
I laughed bitterly.
"He's been stealing from my company.""
"He was manipulated.""
"He's an adult.""
Jonathan finally spoke.
"You're still making everything about yourself.""
I turned.
"You forged my signature, stole millions, and helped Arthur threaten our father.""
"I never wanted Father dead!""
The words came out louder than he intended.
My mother closed her eyes.
I stepped closer.
"Then tell me what happened.""
Jonathan looked away.
Arthur appeared in the terminal doorway.
"That's enough.""
He was older than I remembered, but his expression was unchanged.
He wore a charcoal suit and carried a leather briefcase.
"Family discussions should remain private," he said.
I looked at him.
"You're the reason we're here.""
Arthur smiled.
"Your father would be disappointed to see what you've become.""
"Don't mention my father.""
"Robert was a weak man.""
My mother stepped forward.
"Don't you dare.""
Arthur ignored her.
He opened his briefcase and removed a thick document.
"The original controlling agreement. Everything your mother has been hiding.""
I looked at the document.
"Give it to the police.""
Arthur laughed.
"Why would I do that? The investment group is prepared to pay four hundred million dollars for the controlling rights.""
"Those rights aren't yours to sell.""
"Perhaps not. But Jonathan has agreed to transfer them.""
I turned toward my brother.
"Is that true?""
Jonathan stared at the floor.
My mother shook her head.
"He's lying.""
Arthur smiled.
"Am I?""
He opened another folder and showed us a signed agreement.
Jonathan's signature was at the bottom.
My brother finally looked up.
"I didn't know what else to do.""
I stared at him.
"Four hundred million dollars, Jonathan. You were going to sell the company our father spent his life building.""
Arthur closed the folder.
"Enough. We have a flight to catch.""
He reached for my mother's arm.
She stepped away.
Then she pulled a small envelope from inside her coat.
"There's something you don't know, Arthur.""
His smile disappeared.
My mother held up the envelope.
"The original trust agreement isn't in that briefcase.""
Arthur stared at her.
"Where is it?""
She looked directly at me.
"With the person who has been protecting Marcus all along.""
I frowned.
"Who?""
My mother opened the envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
It showed my father standing beside a young woman holding a baby.
On the back were four handwritten words.
*The real beneficiary is Marcus.*
May you like
But my mother shook her head.
"Not the Marcus you think you are.""
