Chapter 7: The Man At The Door
“Your father should have never trusted you.””
Those were the first words Mark said when he stepped into the hallway.
I had expected someone scary.
Someone who looked like a villain.
But Mark didn’t.
He looked normal.
That was what frightened me.
He wore a clean jacket, expensive shoes, and a watch that caught the light when he moved. He looked like someone Dad would have invited to dinner.
Not someone who made Amanda look terrified.
His eyes landed on me.
Then on the device in Amanda’s hand.
The smile disappeared from his face.
“What did he hear?””
Amanda quickly stepped in front of him.
“Nothing.””
Mark looked at her.
“Don’t lie to me.””
Lily grabbed my arm.
I could feel her shaking.
“Ethan,” she whispered.
“We need to leave.””
But my feet wouldn’t move.
Because for the first time, someone had said my father’s name like they knew something about him.
“Who are you?”” I asked.
Mark looked down at me.
For a second, I thought he might answer.
Instead, Amanda interrupted.
“He’s nobody.””
Mark turned sharply.
“Careful, Amanda.””
The way he said her name made her go quiet.
Nobody talked to Amanda like that.
Not even Dad.
I held the device tighter.
“Did you know my dad?””
Mark looked at it.
“Yes.””
My heart jumped.
“Are you his friend?””
A strange expression crossed his face.
“No.””
The answer came too quickly.
Then he added:
“I was his business partner.””
Amanda looked at him.
“You’re not supposed to be here.””
Mark laughed quietly.
“You’re the one who called me.””
“I called because of the device.””
“And because you were worried.””
Amanda’s jaw tightened.
Lily stepped closer to me.
“Why are you worried about Ethan?””
Mark looked at her.
Then at Amanda.
“That’s a question you should ask your mother.””
The room became silent.
Amanda’s face changed.
“Leave.””
Mark didn’t move.
“You think you can hide this forever?””
“I said leave.””
“You should have listened to your husband when he gave you a chance.””
I looked at Amanda.
“Husband?””
Mark looked surprised.
“He didn’t tell you?””
Amanda closed her eyes.
“Enough.””
But it was too late.
I had already heard.
My father had trusted Mark.
My father had argued with Amanda.
My father had known something was wrong.
And nobody told me.
“Where is my dad?”” I asked.
Nobody answered.
That scared me more than anything.
“Where is he?””
Amanda looked away.
Mark looked at me.
Then he slowly reached into his jacket.
Lily moved in front of me.
“Don’t.””
Mark stopped.
He pulled out a small envelope instead.
“I came here because your father wanted you to have this.””
Amanda’s face went white.
“No.””
Mark looked at her.
“Yes.””
She stepped forward.
“You promised.””
“I promised your husband.””
The words hit the room like a storm.
I took the envelope.
Amanda immediately grabbed my wrist.
“Ethan, don’t open that.””
I looked at her.
“Why?””
She didn’t answer.
Mark did.
“Because your father wrote down everything.””
My fingers trembled as I opened the envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
It was Dad.
He was standing beside a car, smiling.
But there was something written on the back.
Five words.
*Trust the person holding this.*
I looked up.
Mark was holding his hand out.
“I think your father wanted me to explain.””
Amanda stepped backward.
“No.””
Mark stared at her.
“He deserves to know.””
Then he looked at me.
“Ethan, your father didn’t leave because of work.””
My heart stopped.
“Then why?””
Mark took a deep breath.
“He left because he discovered what Amanda was doing.””
May you like
And behind me, Amanda whispered:
“Don’t listen to him.””
