Chapter 6: The Man Who Knew Too Much
I didn't open the door.
Not immediately.
Something about Jake's reaction stopped me.
This wasn't the confident man who embarrassed me in front of thirty people.
This wasn't the man who believed he controlled everything.
This was someone trapped.
Someone afraid.
The voice came again.
"Jake, open the door.""
Jake moved toward me.
"Emma, go upstairs.""
I stared.
"You're telling me what to do now?""
His expression changed.
"I don't have time for this.""
"No.""
I stepped back.
"You don't get to protect me after everything.""
The knocking became louder.
Jake looked at the door.
Then at me.
"Please.""
That word surprised me.
Jake didn't say please.
Not to me.
Not to anyone.
I walked closer to the door.
"Who is he?""
Jake didn't answer.
"Who is he?""
Finally, Jake whispered:
"His name is Marcus.""
"Who is Marcus?""
Jake looked away.
"Someone I worked with.""
"That's not the truth.""
He stayed silent.
The silence confirmed it.
I unlocked the door.
Jake grabbed my arm.
"Emma, don't.""
I pulled away.
For a moment, anger flashed across his face.
The old Jake.
The controlling Jake.
Then he stopped himself.
Because he knew I wasn't afraid anymore.
I opened the door.
A man in his late forties stood outside.
Expensive coat.
Cold expression.
His eyes immediately went past me.
Straight to Jake.
"So you finally told her.""
Jake said nothing.
The man smiled.
"Interesting.""
I looked between them.
"Who are you?""
The man looked at me.
"I'm the person who knows what your husband has been doing for the last three years.""
Jake stepped forward.
"Marcus, leave.""
Marcus laughed.
"You still think you can order people around?""
My stomach tightened.
Daniel was right.
There was more.
I crossed my arms.
"Start talking.""
Jake looked at me.
"Emma.""
"No.""
I looked at Marcus.
"Talk.""
Marcus reached into his briefcase.
He pulled out a folder.
Then placed it on the table.
"This contains every transaction Jake made through hidden accounts.""
Jake's face changed.
"Where did you get that?""
Marcus ignored him.
"Payments to fake vendors.""
He opened the folder.
"Money moved through shell companies.""
Another page.
"Transfers to people who don't exist.""
I looked at Jake.
He didn't deny it.
That hurt more than anything.
"Why?""
Jake finally spoke.
"Because I was trying to fix something.""
I laughed bitterly.
"By lying to me?""
Marcus looked at me.
"You still don't know the worst part.""
Jake's voice became sharp.
"Stop.""
Marcus smiled.
"She deserves to know.""
I felt my heart pounding.
"What?""
Marcus looked directly at me.
"Your husband didn't accidentally lose control of the company.""
Jake went still.
"He made a deal.""
I looked at Jake.
"What deal?""
Marcus placed another document on the table.
"A deal that required your signature.""
My blood ran cold.
"My signature?""
Marcus nodded.
"But you never signed.""
Jake looked at him.
"Enough.""
Marcus ignored him.
"Because if you had signed it, Emma...""
He paused.
"...you would have lost everything.""
I stared at Jake.
Three years.
Three years of marriage.
Three years of believing we were building a future.
But the man standing in my living room had been preparing to destroy mine.
I picked up the document.
At the bottom was a name.
The person who had requested the transfer.
The person who had been working with Jake.
My hands started shaking.
Because I knew that name.
I had seen it before.
On our wedding guest list.
On our anniversary card.
On every family holiday invitation.
I looked up slowly.
"Jake...""
His face turned pale.
"Emma, listen to me.""
I held up the paper.
"Why is your sister's name on this document?""
May you like
Jake said nothing.
And in that moment, I realized the betrayal was much bigger than I ever imagined.
