Chapter 8: The Person Inside The House
The drive home felt endless.
Every red light felt like a punishment.
Every second felt like someone was moving closer to my son.
Maria sat beside me, calling security repeatedly.
“No answer.””
I gripped the steering wheel.
“Call again.””
“I have.””
Daniel was in the back seat.
“Rocco, don’t let panic control you.””
I almost laughed.
“My son is alone.””
“He isn’t.””
But I heard the hesitation in his voice.
Nobody knew.
And that was the worst part.
When we reached the house, every light was on.
The front gate was open.
Security vehicles were parked outside.
My heart dropped.
I jumped out before the car fully stopped.
“Noah!””
A security guard ran toward me.
“Mr. DeLuca!””
“What happened?””
“We found the back door open.””
I froze.
“Where is my son?””
“Upstairs.””
I ran.
Maria behind me.
Daniel calling someone.
The entire house felt wrong.
Too quiet.
Noah’s toys were scattered across the floor.
His favorite dinosaur was sitting beside the stairs.
I reached his room.
The door was open.
“Noah?””
A small voice answered.
“Daddy?””
I rushed inside.
He was sitting on the floor.
Safe.
Holding a blanket.
I grabbed him.
“You’re okay.””
He hugged me tightly.
“I waited.””
My eyes burned.
“Who was here?””
He pointed toward the hallway.
“The lady.””
I looked up.
“What lady?””
Maria entered behind me.
Her face changed.
“Rocco.””
On Noah’s bed was a piece of paper.
A note.
I picked it up.
Three words.
WE NEED TO TALK.
No signature.
But I knew the handwriting.
Victoria.
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
“Where are you?””
Victoria’s voice came through.
“Rocco, listen to me.””
“You broke into my house?””
“No.””
“Then why is your note in my son’s room?””
Silence.
Then she whispered:
“Because I was trying to stop them.””
I looked at Maria.
“What?””
“Marcus lied to me.””
I walked downstairs with Noah in my arms.
“You expect me to believe that?””
“I know how it sounds.””
“You were part of it.””
“I was.””
The honesty surprised me.
Victoria continued.
“But I didn’t know the entire plan.””
I said nothing.
“Rocco, Marcus never intended for Noah to stay at the quiet house.””
“Then what?””
“He wanted you removed.””
“I know.””
“No.””
Her voice shook.
“You don’t.””
The house suddenly felt colder.
“What are you saying?””
“He planned to make you disappear from your own life.””
I tightened my grip on Noah.
“How?””
“By making everyone believe you were unstable.””
Daniel looked at me.
I put the phone on speaker.
Victoria continued.
“Your father’s company has a clause.””
“What clause?””
“If the CEO is declared mentally unfit, the board can appoint temporary leadership.””
Daniel whispered, “The emergency vote.””
Victoria continued.
“Marcus already prepared witnesses.””
“Witnesses for what?””
She paused.
Then said:
“That you threatened your own son.””
Nobody spoke.
The room went silent.
My stomach turned.
“What?””
“He recorded arguments. Edited conversations. He planned to make it look like you were angry and dangerous.””
Maria looked horrified.
“Why?””
“Because if they convinced people you were unsafe, Noah could be removed.””
I looked at Noah.
My son.
My entire world.
Victoria’s voice cracked.
“Rocco, I found out tonight because Marcus sent me the final documents.””
“What documents?””
“The guardianship transfer.””
My hand tightened around the phone.
“Where are they?””
“Safe.””
“Where?””
Another pause.
“I have them.””
I almost couldn't believe it.
“You still have them?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Victoria started crying.
“Because when I saw Noah crying after the hearing aid broke…”
She stopped.
“I realized I had become someone I never wanted to be.””
I didn’t know what to say.
Because part of me wanted to believe her.
And another part remembered her standing beside Marcus.
Planning.
Lying.
Watching.
“Meet me.””
“Rocco—”
“Bring the documents.””
Silence.
“Where?””
I looked at Daniel.
He shook his head.
“Public place.””
I nodded.
“Central police station parking lot.””
Victoria went quiet.
Then:
“Okay.””
The call ended.
Maria looked at me.
“You trust her?””
I looked at Noah.
“No.””
“Then why meet her?””
I stared at the black phone on the table.
“Because if she’s telling the truth…”
I looked toward the door.
“…she may be the only person who knows how to stop them.””
At that moment, Daniel’s phone buzzed.
He looked down.
His expression changed.
“What?””
He handed me the screen.
An email.
From my company board.
Subject:
EMERGENCY REMOVAL HEARING CONFIRMED.
Time:
Tomorrow, 8:00 A.M.
Attached was a list of witnesses.
I scanned the names.
Marcus.
Charles.
Two board members.
And one more.
May you like
My blood ran cold.
Victoria’s name was there.
