Chapter 11: The Marriage That Was Never Real
I couldn’t speak.
The phone felt heavy in my hand.
The person who told Daniel to marry me.
My mind rejected the possibility.
“No.””
Daniel was silent.
“Claire—”
“No.””
I stood up.
“You’re lying.””
Because the alternative was worse.
The alternative meant my entire marriage had been built on a lie.
A performance.
A plan.
“Why would I believe anything you say?””
Daniel’s voice cracked.
“Because I have spent years trying to get out.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Get out?””
I looked around my living room.
The same place where Lily and I had built our small life.
The same place where Daniel had promised forever.
“You left us.””
“I know.””
“You destroyed our family.””
“I know.””
“Then why should I care what happens to you?””
A long silence.
Then Daniel said:
“Because the person behind this is still close to you.””
I froze.
“Who?””
He didn’t answer.
“Daniel.””
“I can’t say it over the phone.””
“Why?””
“Because they’re watching.””
I looked toward the windows.
A strange feeling moved through me.
Not fear.
Awareness.
Thomas noticed my expression.
“Put him on speaker.””
I did.
Thomas stepped closer.
“Daniel, this is Thomas Reed.””
Daniel went quiet.
“You’re still alive?””
Thomas frowned.
“What does that mean?””
Daniel sighed.
“I thought they got to you too.””
The room became silent.
Thomas looked at me.
“Daniel, explain.””
“I was approached years ago.””
“By who?””
Daniel hesitated.
Then:
“Patricia.””
My mother.
Again.
My stomach dropped.
“No.””
Daniel continued.
“She wanted access to the company.””
Thomas listened carefully.
“She knew Claire was the heir. She knew Claire trusted her.””
I sat down slowly.
“My own mother.””
Daniel’s voice softened.
“Claire, I was supposed to marry you, gain your trust, and help transfer control.””
I closed my eyes.
Every memory hurt.
The first date.
The wedding.
The birth of Lily.
Was any of it real?
“Did you ever love me?””
The question came out before I could stop it.
Silence.
Then Daniel answered.
“At first, no.””
My heart broke.
“But later?””
Another pause.
“Yes.””
I looked away.
“Later doesn’t fix everything.””
“I know.””
“Then why did you leave?””
“Because I found out what they were really planning.””
Thomas stepped closer.
“What did you discover?””
Daniel’s voice became quieter.
“Your father didn’t die because of an accident.””
The room stopped.
Lily was asleep upstairs.
Thomas looked at me.
“Daniel.””
“I found documents.””
My hands went cold.
“What documents?””
“Proof that someone changed the brakes on your father’s car.””
I covered my mouth.
“No.””
Thomas immediately said:
“Where are those documents?””
“I hid them.””
“Where?””
Daniel hesitated.
Then:
“Somewhere only Claire would know.””
I frowned.
“I don’t understand.””
“You do.””
I searched my memories.
My father.
His habits.
His hiding places.
Then suddenly, I remembered.
A place from my childhood.
The old oak tree behind our house.
My father used to hide birthday gifts there.
Daniel continued.
“Your father knew someone was dangerous.””
“Who?””
Before Daniel answered, the call suddenly cut.
The room went silent.
I looked at my phone.
No signal.
Then Thomas’s phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“What?””
A pause.
Then his face became serious.
“What do you mean missing?””
He ended the call.
“What happened?””
Thomas looked at me.
“The original trust documents.””
My heart sank.
“They’re gone.””
“How?””
He looked toward the front door.
“Someone entered your house while we were gone.””
I stared.
“What did they take?””
Thomas didn’t answer immediately.
Then he said:
“Everything your father left to protect you.””
And on the floor near the broken lock…
May you like
was a single white rose.
The same flowers Vanessa used for her wedding.
