Chapter 7: The Man Who Protected Eric’s Secret
The stranger didn’t run.
That scared me more than anything.
A person breaking into your home should look afraid.
Desperate.
Caught.
But this man looked like he belonged there.
Like he had been waiting.
Daniel stepped in front of us.
“Who are you?””
The man smiled slightly.
“You already know.””
“I don’t.””
“Yes, you do.””
His eyes moved toward me.
“Eric talked about you constantly.””
I felt sick.
“Where is he?””
The man ignored my question.
“Still protecting him after everything?””
“I asked where he is.””
The stranger tilted his head.
“You sound like him.””
That sentence made my anger explode.
“Don’t compare me to him.””
The man smiled.
“There she is.””
Daniel moved closer.
“Leave.””
The stranger laughed.
“You don’t get to give orders anymore, Daniel.””
My eyes moved between them.
“You know each other.””
Neither answered.
That was answer enough.
“What is going on?””
Daniel looked tense.
“This is Marcus.””
The stranger nodded.
“Eric’s business partner.””
I felt cold.
“The one who helped him?””
Marcus smiled.
“The one who understood him.””
Daniel’s voice hardened.
“You don’t know what you’re doing.””
“Oh, I know exactly what I’m doing.””
Marcus looked at Maya.
“You found the key.””
Maya stepped backward.
“Stay away from her.””
Marcus sighed.
“Everyone keeps acting like I’m the villain.””
“You broke into my house.””
“You have no idea what Eric was capable of.””
That stopped me.
“What does that mean?””
Marcus looked at me.
“Ask Daniel.””
I turned.
Daniel looked away.
My chest tightened.
“What aren’t you telling me?””
Before Daniel answered, Marcus reached into his coat.
I immediately grabbed Maya.
But he didn’t pull out a weapon.
He pulled out a folder.
He dropped it onto the table.
“Read it.””
I didn’t move.
“What is it?””
“Your husband’s insurance records.””
Daniel’s expression changed.
Marcus smiled.
“Eric planned everything.””
I opened the folder.
Inside were documents.
Dates.
Signatures.
Transfers.
And one name.
Mine.
I looked closer.
My hands started shaking.
“What is this?””
Marcus leaned against the wall.
“Eric wasn’t just planning his disappearance.””
My eyes scanned the pages.
A life insurance policy.
A beneficiary change.
A hidden account.
All connected to me.
“He planned to leave you everything.””
Daniel interrupted.
“That’s not true.””
Marcus looked at him.
“Still lying?””
I turned toward Daniel.
“Explain.””
Daniel swallowed.
“Eric had money problems.””
“That doesn’t explain this.””
“He wanted to make sure you were financially secure.””
Marcus laughed.
“Don’t make him sound noble.””
The room went silent.
Marcus continued.
“Eric knew he was about to be exposed. He needed a way out.””
“And Maya?””
His expression softened slightly.
“Maya was never part of his plan.””
I hated that sentence.
Because it sounded true.
My daughter had just been collateral damage.
“Why are you here?””
Marcus looked at the key.
“Because Eric hid something that belongs to me.””
“What?””
“Evidence.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Don’t listen to him.””
Marcus looked at him.
“You’re still pretending you’re the hero?””
Then Marcus turned back to me.
“Your husband stole from everyone around him.””
He pointed at Daniel.
“He stole from his own family.””
Then he pointed upstairs.
“He watched you.””
Then he looked at Maya.
“And he used his daughter.””
Maya started crying.
I moved toward her.
Marcus lowered his voice.
“But Eric’s biggest mistake was trusting one person.””
“Who?””
He looked directly at Daniel.
“Him.””
The room went quiet.
Daniel’s face changed.
For the first time, he looked afraid.
Marcus smiled.
“Ask him what happened the night Eric disappeared.””
May you like
Daniel said nothing.
And that silence told me everything.
