Chapter 7: The Truth My Father Buried
For a moment, I thought I had heard Daniel wrong.
The room seemed to tilt.
“My father?””
I repeated the words quietly.
Diane looked at me from across the table.
She already knew.
That was the part that hurt the most.
Everyone seemed to know pieces of my life except me.
“Rachel,” Daniel said through the phone, “are you still there?””
I gripped the edge of the table.
“Yes.””
“Your father’s name appears on the earliest version of the documents. The transfer agreement wasn’t created recently. It was prepared before your marriage.””
My throat tightened.
“That doesn’t make sense.””
“I know.””
“My father died six years ago.””
“I’m aware.””
I closed my eyes.
Six years.
Before Marcus became my husband.
Before Diane started calling me family.
Before I moved into that house.
“What exactly did he sign?”” I asked.
Daniel hesitated.
“A property protection agreement.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
“It means your father may have been trying to protect your ownership rights.””
I looked at Diane.
She lowered her eyes.
That small movement told me she knew more.
“Daniel,” I said slowly, “send me everything.””
“I already did.””
I ended the call.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then I turned to Diane.
“You knew.””
She didn’t deny it.
“Yes.””
The answer made my chest tighten.
“You knew my father was involved?””
“Yes.””
“And you never told me?””
Her face hardened slightly.
“Would you have believed me?””
I stared at her.
“I don’t know.””
“That’s why.””
I shook my head.
“No. That’s not why.””
I stepped closer.
“You didn’t tell me because it benefited you.””
Diane looked away.
For once, she had nothing sharp to say.
I grabbed my coat.
“I’m done.””
“Rachel.””
I stopped.
Diane’s voice sounded different.
Not cold.
Not superior.
Almost desperate.
“You need to hear the whole story.””
I looked back.
“Why?””
“Because Marcus doesn’t want you to know what your father discovered.””
The words stopped me.
“What did my father discover?””
Diane took a slow breath.
“That Marcus was already in debt before he met you.””
I stared at her.
“No.””
“Yes.””
“That’s impossible.””
Diane gave a bitter smile.
“Your husband was very good at looking successful.””
Memories flashed through my mind.
The expensive dinners.
The designer clothes.
The vacations he insisted we take.
I had always thought he worked hard.
I never questioned where the money came from.
“Why would my father care?””
Diane stood.
“Because he knew Marcus was looking for someone to save him.””
My stomach dropped.
“Me?””
“Yes.””
The word was almost a whisper.
I left without saying goodbye.
On the drive home, I called my father’s old attorney.
I had never met him before.
His name was Thomas Bell.
He answered after two rings.
“Hello?””
“Mr. Bell?””
“Yes.””
“My name is Rachel Carter.””
Silence.
Then:
“Rachel?””
The way he said my name made my grip tighten.
“You know who I am?””
“I was wondering when you would call.””
My heart stopped.
“What?””
“I was told this day might come.””
“Who told you?””
Another pause.
“Your father.””
I pulled over.
“What did my father leave behind?””
Thomas exhaled.
“A letter.””
“A letter?””
“Yes.””
“Why didn’t I receive it?””
“Because your father instructed me not to give it to you unless certain conditions were met.””
I felt numb.
“What conditions?””
Thomas’s voice became quiet.
“If Marcus ever tried to transfer ownership of the property.””
I stared out the windshield.
The rain tapped against the glass.
My father had known.
Somehow, years ago, he had known.
“When can I see you?””
“Tomorrow.””
“Why not today?””
“Because there’s something you need to understand first.””
“What?””
The old man paused.
Then said:
“Your father didn’t trust Marcus.””
I whispered:
“Why?””
May you like
And Thomas answered:
“Because Marcus wasn’t the first man who tried to take advantage of your family.””
