Chapter 4: The Account That Shouldn't Exist
Marcus didn't answer immediately.
He was staring at the bank alert.
I knew that account.
I knew the password.
And I knew exactly why Ethan was frightened.
Two years earlier, before I entered Marcus's life, the family had created a private account for an entirely different reason.
It had nothing to do with me.
It had everything to do with Marcus's first wife.
"Daniel," Marcus said, "I want the full account history.""
Daniel nodded.
"I'll request it.""
"Now.""
"Marcus, the bank may need additional verification.""
"Then call the bank president.""
Daniel took out his phone and stepped into the hallway.
Ethan remained standing.
"What's going on?""
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
"That account belonged to your mother.""
The words seemed to stop the air in the room.
Ethan slowly sat down.
"My mother?""
Marcus nodded.
"She opened it shortly before she died.""
"Why?""
"She wanted to keep certain assets separate.""
"Separate from what?""
Marcus looked toward the window.
"From the estate.""
Ethan's expression hardened.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"You were sixteen.""
"I'm twenty-three now.""
"I know.""
"You told me everything had been handled.""
Marcus lowered his eyes.
"I thought it had.""
I watched them carefully.
For the first time, they were having a conversation that didn't include me.
And I hated it.
"Marcus," I interrupted, "perhaps we should discuss this privately.""
He turned.
"No.""
"You're upset.""
"I'm furious.""
"Then let's not make decisions tonight.""
Marcus stepped closer.
"You don't get to decide what happens tonight.""
I swallowed.
Ethan stood.
"Why would Vanessa have access to my mother's account?""
Marcus looked at him.
"She shouldn't.""
"Then how did she get it?""
I forced a laugh.
"This is becoming absurd. You are both treating me like some criminal mastermind.""
Ethan looked at the torn dress.
"You're the one who staged an assault to get me thrown out.""
I pointed at him.
"Don't you dare.""
Marcus raised his voice.
"Enough!""
The room fell silent.
He walked toward the staircase.
"Vanessa, go upstairs.""
I blinked.
"What?""
"Go upstairs and stay there until Daniel and I finish reviewing the documents.""
"You cannot be serious.""
"I'm very serious.""
I laughed nervously.
"You're sending your wife to her room like a child?""
Marcus looked at me.
"No. I'm separating you from the financial records.""
That sentence hurt more than an insult.
I had spent eighteen months making myself indispensable.
I had learned his schedule, his preferences, the names of his business partners, and which memories made him vulnerable.
I knew how to make him smile.
I knew how to make him feel guilty.
I knew how to make him believe that loving me meant choosing me over everyone else.
Now he was looking at me as if I were a stranger.
I turned toward Ethan.
"You think you've won?""
He didn't answer.
I stepped closer.
"Enjoy this moment. Your father will regret humiliating me.""
Marcus moved between us.
"Go upstairs.""
I walked away.
But I didn't go to the bedroom.
I went into my dressing room, closed the door, and called the one person who could still help me.
"Adrian?""
A man's voice answered.
"Vanessa?""
"Something has gone wrong.""
"What happened?""
"Marcus saw the footage.""
There was a pause.
Then Adrian swore.
"How much does he know?""
"Enough.""
"Did he find the transfers?""
"Yes.""
"Then we need to move.""
"I can't move anything. Daniel is downstairs.""
Adrian's voice became sharp.
"Did you transfer the money?""
"Not yet.""
"Then listen carefully. You need to get out before the bank freezes everything.""
I looked at my reflection.
My torn red dress.
My pale face.
My mascara running beneath my eyes.
For eighteen months, I had looked like the perfect wife.
Now I looked like someone who had been caught.
"Where am I supposed to go?""
"Same place as before.""
I closed my eyes.
The Miami apartment.
The one I had bought using the first trust transfer.
"Adrian, there's something else.""
"What?""
"Ethan knows about the account.""
Silence.
Then Adrian asked a question that made my stomach turn.
"Does he know about the letter?""
"What letter?""
"Vanessa, don't tell me you never found it.""
I gripped the edge of the dressing table.
"What are you talking about?""
"The letter his mother left with her attorney.""
I stared at the mirror.
"What letter?""
Adrian lowered his voice.
"She knew something was wrong before she died. She left instructions that were supposed to be delivered to Ethan when he turned twenty-one.""
My throat tightened.
"That's impossible.""
"Apparently, it wasn't delivered.""
I looked toward the door.
Downstairs, I heard Marcus speaking to Daniel.
"What does the letter say?"" I whispered.
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
Then he said:
"That depends. Has Ethan discovered who his biological father is?""
My phone nearly slipped from my hand.
"What?""
"Vanessa, listen to me. If that letter surfaces, everything changes.""
I opened the dressing room door.
And found Ethan standing in the hallway.
He had heard enough.
His eyes were fixed on my face.
"Who is my biological father?""
I couldn't speak.
He stepped closer.
"Why did that man just say my mother left a letter about my real father?""
I looked toward the staircase.
Marcus was coming up.
Ethan turned toward him.
"Dad?""
Marcus stopped.
"What is it?""
Ethan looked between us.
"There's something you never told me, isn't there?""
Marcus's face went pale.
May you like
Then he whispered a name.
"Richard.""
