Chapter 9: The Name Written in Blood
The silence after Daniel spoke was worse than any answer.
Because answers meant reality.
And reality was becoming impossible.
“The person who signed my father’s death certificate?””
Daniel nodded.
My voice became quiet.
“Who?””
He looked at the message again.
Then at me.
“I need to show you something first.””
I hated those words.
I was tired of secrets.
Tired of waiting.
“No.””
Daniel looked surprised.
“No?””
“No more documents. No more hidden files. No more people telling me they’re protecting me while destroying my life.””
My voice shook.
“I want a name.””
Daniel stared at me.
Then slowly said:
“Richard Brooks.””
I stopped breathing.
My father’s brother.
My uncle.
The man who attended my father’s funeral.
The man who hugged me and told me everything would be okay.
“No.””
Daniel nodded.
“Yes.””
“That’s impossible.””
“He had access to your father’s business.””
“My uncle loved him.””
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“People can love someone and still betray them.””
I thought about Nia.
About my mother.
About my father.
The past few days had taught me that love and betrayal could exist in the same place.
“What did he do?””
Daniel opened the folder again.
“Your father discovered financial theft inside his company.””
“By Richard?””
“Yes.””
I looked at the documents.
“Then why didn’t he report him?””
“Because Richard was family.””
I closed my eyes.
That sounded exactly like my father.
Always trying to save people.
Even the ones hurting him.
“He threatened your father,” Daniel continued.
“With what?””
“Exposure.””
I frowned.
“About Vanessa?””
Daniel nodded.
“Richard knew about the second marriage. He used it as leverage.””
My mother’s pain suddenly made sense.
Someone had been controlling everyone.
“Why would Richard want the inheritance?””
Daniel looked at me.
“Because your father changed the trust before he died.””
“What changed?””
“Ethan.””
I froze.
“My brother?””
“Yes.””
Daniel explained.
“Your father wanted both sons protected. He planned to split everything equally.””
I looked away.
“So Richard wanted Ethan gone.””
“Yes.””
“And Nia?””
Daniel’s expression changed.
“She was a tool.””
My chest tightened.
I didn’t want to hear it.
But I needed to.
“She approached you because of the trust.””
I nodded.
“She manipulated you because she thought she could get access.””
My jaw tightened.
“But she didn’t know everything.””
“No.””
Daniel looked toward the lake.
“That was her mistake.””
A sudden sound interrupted us.
A branch breaking.
Everyone turned.
Someone was standing near the trees.
Watching.
Daniel immediately stepped in front of me.
“Who is there?””
The person stepped into the light.
My heart stopped.
“Mom?””
My mother walked toward us.
Her face was pale.
“I followed you.””
I stared at her.
“Why?””
She looked at Daniel.
“Because I knew he would come.””
Daniel looked shocked.
“You knew?””
My mother nodded.
“I knew Richard would try to stop Marcus from finding the truth.””
I looked between them.
“How much do you know?””
My mother’s eyes filled with tears.
“More than I wanted to.””
“Mom.””
She reached into her purse.
Then pulled out a small envelope.
Another one.
Of course.
My entire life was apparently hidden inside envelopes.
“I found this after your father died.””
I didn’t take it.
“What is it?””
She looked at me.
“A letter from Richard.””
My stomach tightened.
“What did it say?””
Her hands shook.
“He confessed.””
“To what?””
My mother looked toward Daniel.
Then whispered:
“To poisoning your father.””
The world stopped.
I grabbed the envelope.
My fingers tore it open.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
Only three sentences.
But three sentences were enough.
*I never meant for him to die.*
*The medication was supposed to scare him into changing the trust.*
*I need you to fix this before Marcus learns the truth.*
I looked up.
My voice barely came out.
“Who received this?””
My mother didn’t answer.
She didn’t need to.
Because the name was written at the top.
The recipient.
The person Richard trusted with his confession.
And it wasn’t my mother.
It wasn’t Daniel.
It wasn’t Vanessa.
It was someone who had been standing beside me the entire time.
Someone who had smiled at me.
May you like
Someone who had helped plan my wedding.
Nia Carter.
