Chapter 10: The Betrayal Inside My Office
I sat in my car, staring at the steering wheel.
My boss.
The person who had signed my performance reviews.
The person who had congratulated me when I got promoted.
The person who had told me I was “one of the most reliable employees” he had ever had.
Daniel’s words repeated in my mind.
“Your boss helped Marcus access your private accounts.””
I finally found my voice.
“Who?””
Daniel exhaled.
“Andrew Collins.””
I closed my eyes.
No.
Not Andrew.
He had worked with me for eight years.
He knew my work.
He knew my habits.
He knew when I was saving money for my first house.
He knew everything.
“How?””
“We’re still investigating,” Daniel said.
“But there are records showing he provided information that should have been confidential.””
I gripped my phone.
“What kind of information?””
“Your income details. Your investment accounts. Your employment verification.””
My stomach turned.
“So Marcus could prove I had assets.””
“Yes.””
I looked out at the empty parking lot.
The betrayal felt different this time.
Marcus was my husband.
I expected love from him.
Andrew was supposed to be professional.
He wasn’t supposed to be part of this.
“I need to talk to him.””
“Rachel, be careful.””
“I’m not going alone.””
After hanging up, I drove back to my apartment.
The place felt strange.
It was supposed to be my safe place.
But now every corner reminded me of the life I thought I had.
The next morning, I walked into my office.
People smiled.
They said good morning.
They had no idea my entire world had collapsed.
Andrew’s assistant looked up.
“Rachel, Andrew wants to see you.””
Of course he did.
I walked into his office.
He smiled immediately.
“Rachel. I was hoping we could talk.””
I closed the door behind me.
“About what?””
His smile faded slightly.
“You’ve been avoiding calls.””
“I’ve been busy.””
“With what?””
I looked at him.
“Finding out who has been using my personal information.””
The color drained from his face.
Only slightly.
But I noticed.
“I don’t know what you mean.””
“Don’t lie to me.””
His expression hardened.
“Rachel.””
“No.””
I stepped closer.
“For years, I trusted people because I thought they deserved it.””
He said nothing.
“Marcus used that.””
Silence.
“And apparently you did too.””
Andrew looked away.
“That’s not fair.””
“Fair?””
I laughed quietly.
“You gave my financial information to my husband.””
His face changed.
“You don’t understand.””
“Then explain.””
He sat down.
“It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.””
That sentence told me everything.
“Like what?””
Andrew rubbed his forehead.
“Marcus said you knew.””
I stared.
“He said you approved everything.””
“And you believed him?””
“He showed me documents.””
“Fake documents.””
He looked ashamed.
“I didn’t know.””
I shook my head.
“You didn’t ask.””
He had no response.
Then I saw something on his desk.
A folder.
My name was written on it.
I reached for it.
Andrew stood quickly.
“Rachel, don’t.””
I froze.
Because fear crossed his face.
Not guilt.
Fear.
“What is in this folder?””
“Nothing.””
I opened it.
Inside were copies of my employment records.
My salary.
My bonuses.
My benefits.
And attached to the top was a handwritten note.
Not from Marcus.
Not from Andrew.
From Diane.
The note said:
*Once Rachel signs the final agreement, everything will be complete.*
My hands went cold.
Final agreement.
There was another step.
Another document.
Another trap.
I looked at Andrew.
“When was this written?””
He didn’t answer.
“Andrew.””
His shoulders dropped.
“Two weeks ago.””
Two weeks ago.
Before the dinner.
Before the slap.
Before I walked away.
They had already planned what would happen after I broke.
I put the folder down.
“I’m done.””
Andrew looked up.
“Rachel—”
“No.””
I walked toward the door.
But before I left, he said something that stopped me.
“Marcus doesn’t know the whole truth.””
I turned.
“What truth?””
Andrew swallowed.
“The documents you found…”
“Yes?””
“They weren’t created to take your money.””
I stared at him.
“Then what were they created for?””
His answer came quietly.
“To take something your father left you.””
I felt a chill.
“What?””
Andrew looked terrified.
“Your father left you ownership of something Marcus has wanted for years.””
I stepped closer.
“What did he leave me?””
May you like
Andrew whispered:
“The original company.””
