Chapter 12: The Secret Behind Richard’s Computer
I waited until evening to ask Richard.
Not because I wanted to accuse him.
Because I was terrified of the answer.
He walked into the kitchen carrying groceries.
He looked exhausted.
Older.
Like the past few weeks had aged him years.
“Richard.””
He stopped.
“What happened?””
I placed the document on the counter.
His face changed.
Not surprise.
Recognition.
And that scared me.
“You know about this.””
He didn’t answer.
“Richard.””
He put the groceries down.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t find out this way.””
My heart sank.
“Find out what?””
He sat down.
“I accessed the account.””
The room went silent.
I felt like the floor disappeared.
“Why?””
He rubbed his face.
“I wasn’t taking money.””
“Then what were you doing?””
“I was investigating.””
I stared.
“Investigating?””
“After my wife died, there were questions about Lily’s inheritance.””
I frowned.
“What questions?””
Richard looked toward the window.
“Her mother’s family.””
I sat down.
“What about them?””
“My late wife suspected someone was trying to interfere with Lily’s trust.””
The words shocked me.
“Who?””
Richard hesitated.
“Angela.””
I froze.
“Angela?””
He nodded.
“She had asked questions about the money before.””
“Then why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I didn’t want to involve you.””
I laughed softly.
“So instead, you secretly accessed the account?””
“I was trying to protect Lily.””
The irony was painful.
We had both made choices while believing we were protecting someone.
And those choices had destroyed trust.
“Why didn’t you report Angela?””
Richard looked down.
“Because I didn’t have proof.””
“Until now.””
He nodded.
I looked at him.
“Why file separation papers?””
His expression changed.
“Because I didn’t know if you were involved.””
That hurt.
“You thought I helped her?””
“I didn’t know.””
I looked away.
After everything, I understood why.
But understanding didn’t make it painless.
“I should have trusted you enough to tell you.””
“Yes.””
The honesty surprised me.
Richard continued.
“And you should have trusted me enough to tell me what you were doing.””
I nodded.
Because we were both guilty.
Not in the same way.
But both guilty of hiding.
Then Richard’s phone rang.
He answered.
“Hello?””
His face changed.
“What?””
I watched him listen.
Then he stood.
“Where?””
A pause.
“Okay. We’re coming.””
He ended the call.
“What happened?””
He looked at me.
“The bank found the original account breach.””
My heart raced.
“Who was it?””
Richard grabbed his keys.
“They traced the first unauthorized access.””
He looked toward the hallway.
“Vanessa…”
“What?””
“It wasn’t Angela.””
I felt cold.
“Then who?””
Richard opened the door.
“The person who first entered Lily’s account…”
He looked at me.
“Was someone we never suspected.””
My stomach tightened.
“Who?””
Richard didn’t answer.
Because his phone buzzed again.
A message appeared.
He read it.
Then slowly turned the screen toward me.
It was a photo.
A security camera image.
A person sitting at a computer.
Accessing Lily’s account.
The image was blurry.
But the person’s face was visible enough.
And I recognized him immediately.
My blood ran cold.
Because it was someone who had been standing beside us the entire time.
Someone who claimed to be helping us.
Someone we trusted.
May you like
Richard whispered:
“Michael.””
