Chapter 2: The Documents in Her Office
For the next three days, I pretended the darkness had returned.
I wore my tinted glasses. I kept my cane beside the bed. I asked Vanessa to guide me through rooms I could now navigate without help.
It was exhausting.
Every time she touched my arm, I had to remind myself not to pull away.
Every time Adrian visited, I had to listen to him pretend he cared.
On the first afternoon, he arrived carrying a box of pastries.
"Hey, Marcus," he called from the doorway.
"How's my favorite businessman doing?""
I sat on the sofa with my hands resting on my knees.
"Still waiting for my eyesight to come back.""
Adrian placed the box on the coffee table.
"Don't lose hope. Miracles happen.""
"That's what Vanessa says.""
He chuckled.
"She's a good woman. You're lucky to have her.""
I could see him now. His smile was polished, but his eyes kept moving toward the hallway that led to my office.
"Would you like some coffee?"" I asked.
"Nah. I've got somewhere to be.""
He stayed anyway.
When Vanessa went upstairs, Adrian walked into my office.
I waited ten seconds before following.
Through the narrow opening in the door, I watched him approach my filing cabinet. He entered the combination without hesitation.
He pulled out a folder marked *CONFIDENTIAL — COMPANY FINANCIALS*.
Then he took his phone from his pocket and photographed each page.
He didn't rush. He knew exactly what he was looking for.
When he finished, he returned the folder and locked the cabinet.
As he walked past the doorway, he muttered, "Almost there.""
I remained motionless until his footsteps disappeared.
That evening, Vanessa brought my dinner upstairs.
"Chicken and rice," she said.
"Your favorite.""
"Thank you.""
She placed the plate on my lap and sat beside me.
"There's something I need you to sign tomorrow.""
I kept my expression neutral.
"What is it?""
"Just some paperwork connected to your medical care.""
"More forms?""
"Unfortunately.""
"What happens if I don't sign?""
Her fork stopped halfway to her mouth.
"Why wouldn't you sign?""
"I'd just like to understand what I'm agreeing to.""
Vanessa set the fork down.
"Marcus, you've been through so much. You don't need to worry about legal details. That's what I'm here for.""
"I used to understand those details pretty well.""
Her smile disappeared.
"You're not running the company right now.""
"I know.""
"You need to focus on getting better.""
I nodded slowly.
"You're right.""
She kissed my cheek and collected the empty glass.
After she left, I waited until I heard the bathroom door close.
Then I opened her office.
Vanessa had always kept the key in the top drawer of her bedside table. She believed I couldn't see where she put things.
The office smelled of her lavender perfume and the lemon cleaner she used on the desk. A stack of envelopes sat beside her laptop.
I searched the drawers.
The third one was locked.
I found a small silver key taped beneath the desk.
Inside was a thick folder with my name printed across the front.
*MARCUS BENNETT — POWER OF ATTORNEY.*
My hands went cold.
The first document gave Vanessa authority over my personal finances.
The second transferred control of my company's voting shares.
The third authorized the sale of my childhood home.
I read each page twice.
My signature appeared at the bottom.
It looked convincing at first glance. But I knew my handwriting. The capital M was too narrow, and the final stroke of my surname curved in the wrong direction.
Someone had copied it.
Then I found something worse.
A document granting Vanessa authority to move me into a long-term care facility without my consent, citing my "permanent visual impairment and inability to manage independent living.""
The date was three weeks after my accident.
I photographed every page with my phone and returned the folder exactly where I'd found it.
As I left the office, I heard the front door open.
Vanessa's voice floated down the hallway.
"Adrian? I thought you weren't coming today.""
"I need the latest paperwork.""
I slipped behind the study door.
Adrian entered the office and dropped his keys onto the desk.
"Did he sign?""
"Not yet.""
"Then why are we wasting time?""
"Because I'm not going to force him to sign while he's suspicious.""
Adrian slammed his palm against the desk.
"We've already waited eight months.""
"Keep your voice down.""
"Eight months, Vanessa. Eight months of pretending to be your cousin. Eight months of smiling at that pathetic man.""
She lowered her voice.
"Do you think I enjoy it?""
Adrian stepped closer.
"Then get it done.""
Vanessa opened a drawer and removed another document.
"Tomorrow, I'll give him the medical authorization. The medication makes him sleepy anyway. He'll sign before he understands what's happening.""
My stomach tightened.
I remembered the pills she had been bringing me every morning and evening. I'd assumed they were the same prescriptions my neurologist had given me after the accident.
That night, when Vanessa brought my medicine, I decided to test her.
She placed a glass of water on my bedside table and shook two tablets into her palm.
"Time for your medicine, sweetheart.""
I reached out.
"Vanessa, what exactly am I taking?""
Her hand stopped.
"The same medication you've been taking for months.""
"What's it called?""
"Why?""
"I just want to know.""
She laughed softly, but her fingers closed around the tablets.
"It's for your nerves. Don't worry about it.""
I turned my head toward her voice.
"Can you read the label?""
For a moment, there was no sound.
Then she placed the tablets in my hand.
"Of course. You're overthinking everything.""
After she left, I checked the bottle.
The pharmacy label carried the name of a medication I didn't recognize. It wasn't listed in the treatment plan my neurologist had given me.
I photographed the bottle, the tablets, and the label.
Then I searched my phone for Daniel Hayes, my attorney and closest business confidant.
I sent him one message.
*I need to see you tomorrow. Come alone. Don't tell Vanessa.*
His reply arrived less than a minute later.
*Marcus, what's happened?*
I stared at the screen.
Then I typed the words that would change everything.
*I can see again. And I think my wife is stealing my life.*
Daniel called immediately.
I didn't answer.
Instead, I watched the bedroom door.
May you like
Because downstairs, I heard Vanessa whispering to Adrian.
And this time, I heard my name.
