Chapter 6: The Woman Behind the Lies
Daniel’s confession should have made me feel better.
It didn’t.
A part of me wanted to believe that Olivia was the villain.
That Daniel was just another victim.
That somehow, the man who betrayed me had also been betrayed.
But the problem was simple.
He still chose to hurt me.
He still chose to lie.
I watched him stare at the evidence on the tablet.
“What did you find?”” I asked again.
The man answered instead.
“Olivia Hart may have been maintaining another relationship during her separation from Mr. Carter.””
Daniel looked up.
“Who?””
The man handed him a photograph.
Daniel stared at it.
Then his face changed.
“Marcus?””
I didn’t know that name.
“Who is Marcus?””
Daniel didn’t answer.
Margaret did.
“Nobody.””
I turned toward her.
“You say that word a lot.””
Her expression darkened.
“Because some people don’t matter.””
I looked at the photograph.
A man standing beside Olivia.
The same pregnant woman who had destroyed my marriage.
The same woman Margaret had proudly supported.
Suddenly, everything became more complicated.
But not less painful.
Daniel walked away from everyone.
He ran a hand through his hair.
“She told me she left me because she wanted a fresh start.””
I crossed my arms.
“And you believed her.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
He looked at me.
“Because I was desperate.””
I almost laughed.
“Desperate enough to marry me?””
His eyes dropped.
That answer was enough.
Margaret stepped toward him.
“Daniel, stop embarrassing yourself.””
He looked at his mother.
For the first time all day, there was anger in his eyes.
“You knew.””
Margaret became still.
“You knew Olivia was seeing someone else.””
Silence.
“Mom.””
She looked away.
“You needed an heir.””
Daniel stared at her.
“That’s all this was?””
She softened her voice.
“Don’t be dramatic.””
“No.””
He shook his head.
“No, you used me.””
The irony almost made me smile.
He finally understood what I had felt.
But understanding came too late.
I moved toward the driveway.
“I’m leaving.””
Daniel followed.
“Emily, please.””
I stopped.
“Why?””
He froze.
“Why what?””
“Why should I stay?””
His mouth opened.
“Because I love you.””
I looked back.
“Do you?””
He looked hurt.
“Yes.””
“Then why did you let me stand there today while your mother humiliated me?””
His eyes lowered.
No answer.
“Why did you let me believe Olivia was just a friend?””
Silence.
“Why did you marry me under a contract?””
More silence.
I nodded.
“That’s what I thought.””
I continued walking.
Then Margaret’s voice stopped me.
“You think your father can protect you forever?””
I turned.
She was smiling again.
That same cold smile.
“I know your type.””
“My type?””
“Rich girls who think money solves everything.””
I looked at her.
“No.””
I glanced at the mansion.
“At least I never needed money to feel important.””
Her smile disappeared.
Good.
I stepped into the driveway.
The SUV door opened.
Then my father called again.
I answered.
“Dad.””
His voice sounded urgent.
“Emily, listen carefully.””
“What happened?””
“We found something else.””
I closed my eyes.
“Another secret?””
“Yes.””
I looked back at Daniel.
He was watching me.
Waiting.
“What is it?””
My father paused.
Then said:
“The reason Daniel married you was not just because of your inheritance.””
My heart sank.
“What do you mean?””
“There was someone else behind the plan.””
I gripped the phone.
“Who?””
My father’s voice became quiet.
“Someone inside Bennett Holdings.””
I froze.
“That’s impossible.””
“I wish it was.””
The wind moved through the driveway.
The mansion stood behind me.
Full of lies.
Full of people I thought I knew.
My father continued.
“Emily, the person who helped Daniel create that marriage contract…”
I waited.
“And who has been secretly working against you for years…”
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“Who?””
A pause.
Then my father said the name.
May you like
The name that made my entire body go cold.
“Your own sister.””
