Chapter 9: The Woman Behind The Lie
The moment Julian said those words, I knew something had changed.
For weeks, I thought Sienna was the enemy.
The other woman.
The person who walked into my marriage and tried to take everything.
But now I wondered.
What if she was just another piece?
Another person being used.
I hated that possibility.
Because it meant the truth was even bigger than I imagined.
“Where is she?””
Julian looked at me.
“I don’t know.””
“Don’t lie.””
“I’m not.””
“You always know where she is.””
His expression hardened.
“Not anymore.””
I studied him.
For the first time, Julian looked afraid of someone other than me.
“Who is she afraid of?””
He didn’t answer.
“Julian.””
He rubbed his face.
“Victor.””
My heart dropped.
“Victor Hayes is alive?””
“Yes.””
The restaurant noise disappeared.
People laughed nearby.
A waiter carried plates past us.
But I only heard one thing.
Victor Hayes was alive.
“The police said he disappeared.””
“He wanted people to believe that.””
“Where is he?””
“I don’t know.””
“You expect me to believe that?””
“Yes.””
I leaned closer.
“You spent years working with him.””
Julian looked down.
“I thought I was using him.””
“And?””
“He was using me.””
The confession was quiet.
Almost broken.
I hated that I believed him.
“What happened the night my father died?””
Julian closed his eyes.
“I went to confront him.””
“Why?””
“Because Victor told me your father had stolen from my family.””
“And did he?””
“No.””
The answer came immediately.
That shocked me.
“No?””
“Your father was trying to expose Victor.””
I stared at him.
“Then why were you there?””
“Because I was angry.””
His voice cracked.
“I believed the wrong person.””
I said nothing.
Julian continued.
“I went to your father’s office that night.””
“The night he died?””
“Yes.””
“What happened?””
“I argued with him.””
“Then?””
“He showed me documents.””
“What documents?””
“Proof that Victor was the criminal.””
I felt my chest tighten.
“Why didn’t you tell anyone?””
Julian looked at me.
“Because Victor threatened me.””
“With what?””
“With you.””
I froze.
“He knew I had feelings for you.””
“Before we met?””
Julian nodded.
“He knew I would protect you.””
I stood up.
“You’re telling me Victor knew everything?””
“Yes.””
“And he let us marry?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Julian looked at me.
“Because he needed you to trust me.””
The answer cut deeper than anything.
My marriage.
My love.
My entire life.
Had been part of someone else’s plan.
My phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
I opened it.
A photograph appeared.
Sienna.
Standing outside a building.
Alive.
Safe.
And next to her was an older man.
Victor Hayes.
Under the picture was one sentence.
*Your husband finally told you the truth. Now ask him about the money.*
I looked at Julian.
His face had gone pale.
“What money?””
He didn’t answer.
“Julian.””
He whispered:
“The money your father hid.””
“What about it?””
He looked terrified.
“Clara, your father didn’t hide it to keep it from Victor.””
“Then why?””
Julian slowly looked at me.
“He hid it because he knew someone else would come looking.””
“Who?””
Julian’s voice dropped.
“Someone inside your own family.””
Before I could respond, the restaurant doors opened.
A man walked in.
Everyone ignored him.
Except Julian.
Because the moment he saw him, he stood up.
“Daniel?””
The man looked at me.
And smiled.
“Hello, Clara.””
My blood ran cold.
Because Daniel Cross wasn’t missing.
May you like
He had been watching me the entire time.
And he was carrying my father’s original investigation file.
