Chapter 4: The Man Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
"Who sent you that?"" Vanessa whispered.
"He was supposed to be dead.""
Nobody moved.
I looked at the message again, then slowly raised my eyes toward my wife.
"Who was supposed to be dead, Vanessa?""
She shook her head.
"I didn't mean that.""
"Then explain what you meant.""
Dr. Harrison suddenly grabbed his medical bag.
I stepped in front of him.
"You're not leaving.""
He looked toward the front door.
"Michael, you need to understand something. This situation is much more complicated than you realize.""
"Then start explaining.""
He swallowed.
Vanessa moved toward the staircase, but I blocked her path.
"Stay here.""
"You're holding me hostage now?"" she snapped.
I stared at her.
"You've been poisoning my drinks, apparently paying a doctor to keep me incapacitated, and slapping our daughter when she tried to warn me. I think you can spare five minutes.""
Her expression twisted.
"You have no idea what I've sacrificed for you!""
"Tell me.""
She laughed bitterly.
"I spent eight months changing your clothes, helping you shower, taking you to appointments, sleeping beside a man who couldn't even stand up without assistance. Do you know what that does to a woman?""
I looked at her.
"You were my wife. I trusted you.""
"And I was trapped!""
The words echoed through the hallway.
Dr. Harrison cleared his throat.
"Vanessa, perhaps you should stop talking.""
She turned toward him.
"Don't you dare tell me what to do.""
I pulled out my phone.
"I'm calling the police.""
Dr. Harrison's face tightened.
"That would be a mistake.""
"Why?""
He looked directly at me.
"Because your wife isn't the only person involved.""
Before I could respond, my phone rang.
The number was blocked.
I answered and put it on speaker.
A man's voice came through.
"Michael, my name is Thomas Reed. I'm the person who sent you the document.""
"Who are you?""
"I was your father's attorney.""
I frowned.
"My father died six years ago.""
"I know. But before he passed, he established a private trust for you and your daughter.""
I glanced at Vanessa.
Her face had gone completely still.
Thomas continued.
"Your father suspected that certain members of the family might attempt to take control of your inheritance. The trust was structured so that you would receive full control once you reached a specific age and met certain conditions.""
"What does that have to do with my wife?""
"Everything. Your father left you a substantial estate, Michael. But there was one restriction.
If you became permanently incapacitated, your designated representative could manage the assets temporarily. However, if you recovered, that authority would immediately end.""
I looked toward Dr. Harrison.
He lowered his eyes.
Thomas continued.
"Vanessa was named as your temporary representative after the accident. She contacted my office several times asking about permanent guardianship and changes to the trust.""
My stomach turned.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because she provided medical documentation claiming you were unlikely to regain independent mobility. We had no reason to believe those documents were fraudulent.""
Vanessa suddenly shouted.
"That's enough!""
I ignored her.
"How much money are we talking about?""
There was a pause.
"Approximately twenty-eight million dollars, including investment accounts, property, and the controlling interest in your father's logistics company.""
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Twenty-eight million.
My father had built his company from a single delivery truck. He had spent decades creating something he wanted Sophie and me to inherit.
And my wife had apparently been planning to take it.
Thomas added something else.
"There's another problem. The document you received is an agreement between Vanessa and a third party. It suggests they intended to establish your permanent incapacity before the trust review.""
"Who is the third party?""
Thomas hesitated.
"Your brother-in-law.""
I looked at Vanessa.
She had gone pale again.
"My brother-in-law?""
"Her brother, Richard.""
Vanessa started crying.
"No, Michael. Richard had nothing to do with this.""
Then Dr. Harrison suddenly spoke.
"That's not true.""
Vanessa turned toward him.
"Shut up!""
But he continued.
"Richard arranged the payments. I was only responsible for the medical side.""
I stared at him.
"How much?""
He looked ashamed.
"Two hundred thousand dollars.""
Vanessa slapped her palm against the wall.
"You promised you would never tell him!""
I took one step toward her.
"And what exactly did you promise him?""
She looked at me.
For the first time, she had no answer.
Then the phone in my hand vibrated again.
Thomas was still on the line.
"Michael, there's something else you need to know. Your father included a clause specifically concerning Sophie.""
I looked upstairs.
"What clause?""
Thomas lowered his voice.
"If anyone attempted to use your medical condition to take control of the inheritance, your daughter's future trust would become immediately protected. But only if we could establish who orchestrated the scheme.""
I looked at Vanessa.
She was staring at the staircase.
May you like
Then she whispered something that made my blood run cold.
"That's why Richard wanted Sophie gone, too.""
