Chapter 4: The Woman Who Knew Richard First
The message on Marcus’s phone was only one sentence, but it felt heavier than any threat Richard had made that day.
*Tell Emily the truth about why Richard chose her.*
I read it again.
Then again.
My hands felt numb.
“Who sent that?”” I whispered.
Marcus didn’t answer immediately.
He looked at Richard.
And for the first time since I met him, I saw something other than calm on Marcus’s face.
Concern.
Richard noticed too.
“What did they send you?””
Marcus locked his phone.
“Nothing you need to worry about.””
Richard laughed.
“That’s funny. You’ve known her for what? Twenty minutes? And now you’re protecting her?””
Marcus stepped closer.
“You’re worried about the wrong thing.””
Richard’s smile disappeared.
“What’s that supposed to mean?””
“It means a man who has nothing to hide doesn’t panic when someone asks questions.””
The café went silent.
Richard looked around, realizing everyone was watching him.
That was something he hated.
Not losing control.
Being seen losing control.
He pointed at me.
“Emily, we’re leaving.””
I shook my head.
“No.””
His jaw tightened.
“Don’t do this.””
I almost smiled.
Because even now, even after everything, he spoke like I was a child refusing bedtime.
“Richard, I said no.””
Marcus moved beside me.
Not touching me.
Not claiming me.
Just standing there.
A wall between me and the person who had spent years making me feel small.
Richard looked at him.
“You have no idea what she’s capable of.””
Marcus raised an eyebrow.
“Neither do you.””
Richard froze.
“What?””
Marcus looked at me.
“Do you know what I noticed?””
I frowned.
“What?””
“You walked in here terrified.””
I looked down.
“But the second your daughter’s name came up, you stopped being afraid.””
My throat tightened.
“She’s everything.””
Marcus nodded.
“That’s what he doesn’t understand.””
Richard scoffed.
“You think she’s some hero?””
“No,” Marcus said.
“I think she’s a mother.””
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then Richard turned toward the door.
“You’ll regret this.””
He walked outside.
I watched him through the window as he got into his SUV.
But he didn’t leave.
He sat there.
Waiting.
“He’s not going away,” I whispered.
Marcus nodded.
“No.””
“What do I do?””
The question came out smaller than I wanted.
Marcus looked at the document again.
“First, we find out who prepared this.””
“And then?””
“Then we find out why.””
The other biker with the younger face walked over.
“Marcus.””
Marcus looked up.
“Yeah?””
“Your contact replied.””
My stomach dropped.
Marcus took out his phone.
A woman’s name appeared.
*Laura Bennett.*
I knew that name.
My fingers went cold.
“Laura?””
Marcus looked at me.
“You know her?””
I swallowed.
“She was Richard’s assistant.””
The café suddenly felt too quiet.
Laura Bennett.
She had worked for Richard for four years.
She was the woman who always answered his calls.
The woman who knew his schedule better than I did.
The woman who once told me, “Richard is a complicated man, but he loves deeply.””
I hated remembering those words.
Marcus studied my face.
“What happened with her?””
I hesitated.
“She quit.””
“When?””
“Three months ago.””
“Why?””
I looked toward the window.
“I don’t know.””
Marcus unlocked his phone.
The message from Laura had more now.
*“I can’t talk over the phone. Richard checks everything. Meet me at the old Miller Road gas station. Come alone.””*
My heart started racing.
“No.””
Marcus looked at me.
“What?””
“That’s exactly what Richard would want.””
The words surprised me.
Because they weren’t coming from fear anymore.
They were coming from experience.
Marcus nodded slowly.
“You’re right.””
I looked at him.
“You believe me?””
He gave a small smile.
“I believed you when you walked in.””
“Why?””
“Because people running away from something don’t usually stop to ask strangers for help.””
He folded the document.
“They run until they can’t anymore.””
I looked at the message again.
A former employee.
A hidden secret.
A husband who had prepared for my escape before I even knew I wanted one.
Everything about my marriage suddenly felt like a room where someone had moved all the furniture while I was asleep.
Marcus stood.
“We’re going to meet Laura.””
I immediately shook my head.
“No. She said come alone.””
Marcus grabbed his jacket.
“She also said Richard checks everything.””
I stared at him.
“You’re coming?””
“Yes.””
“She might not talk if she sees you.””
Marcus looked toward Richard’s SUV.
“She might not live long enough to talk if we let you go alone.””
The words chilled me.
I looked outside.
Richard was still there.
Watching.
Waiting.
Then my phone rang.
I froze.
Unknown number.
Marcus looked at the screen.
“Answer it.””
I pressed the button.
“Hello?””
A woman’s voice whispered.
“Emily?””
I recognized it immediately.
Laura.
“Where are you?”” I asked.
Silence.
Then she said something that made my blood run cold.
“Don’t meet me at Miller Road.””
I looked at Marcus.
“Why?””
May you like
Laura’s voice shook.
“Because Richard already knows I called you.””
