Chapter 4: The Secret Her Father Already Knew
Vanessa stared at Marcus.
“My father?””
Marcus nodded.
“Richard called me this afternoon.””
Vanessa's face tightened.
“Why would my father call you?””
Marcus placed the suitcase beside the front steps.
“He wanted to know how long this had been going on.””
For a moment, Vanessa couldn't speak.
Her father, Richard, was a respected businessman. He had built his company from a small construction office into a successful property development firm. He was also the man who had helped Daniel secure his first major business contract.
Richard loved his granddaughter.
But he had never been particularly fond of Marcus.
“Did you tell him?”” Vanessa asked.
Marcus looked away.
“I didn't have much choice.””
“What does that mean?””
“He already had photographs.””
Vanessa felt her stomach drop.
“What photographs?””
Marcus pulled out his phone.
He opened a message and showed her several pictures.
One showed Vanessa and Marcus leaving a restaurant together.
Another showed them sitting inside Marcus's car.
The last photograph showed them kissing outside the glass office building.
Vanessa covered her mouth.
“Who took these?””
“I don't know.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I thought I could handle it.””
She looked at him incredulously.
“Handle it? My father knows about our relationship, my husband just walked away with our daughter, and you think you can handle it?””
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
“Vanessa, your father wasn't angry because of the affair.””
She frowned.
“What?””
“He asked me about the company.””
“What company?””
Marcus hesitated.
Then he lowered his voice.
“Your father's company.””
Vanessa stared at him.
“What have you done?””
Before Marcus could answer, Daniel's voice came from the upstairs hallway.
“Lily, go back to bed. Daddy will be right there.””
Vanessa looked toward the stairs.
She wanted to run up and hold her daughter.
She wanted to tell her that everything was going to be okay.
But she could still hear Daniel's words.
Then she looked at Marcus.
“What happened with my father's company?””
Marcus finally admitted it.
“I was working with one of his investors. I thought I could make a deal that would benefit both of us.””
“And?””
“The deal fell apart.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“That has nothing to do with me.””
Marcus gave her a troubled look.
“Your name was on the paperwork.””
Her knees nearly weakened.
“What paperwork?””
“Some authorization documents.””
“What authorization documents, Marcus?””
He looked toward the street.
“I used the access you gave me.””
Vanessa stepped closer.
“My access to what?””
“Your father's private investment account.””
Vanessa stared at him.
She remembered giving Marcus access to some financial documents several months earlier. He had told her he needed them to review a property proposal.
She had trusted him.
Now she understood that he had been hiding something much bigger than their relationship.
“You told me those documents were for a business proposal.””
“They were.””
“Then why is my father calling you?””
Marcus didn't answer.
Vanessa grabbed his sleeve.
“Tell me the truth!””
He pulled away.
“I moved some money.””
The words seemed to drain the warmth from the night.
“How much?””
“Vanessa…”
“How much?””
Marcus looked directly at her.
“Enough for your father to take this seriously.””
She stepped backward.
“You stole from him?””
“I borrowed it.””
“You used my name?””
“I thought I could replace it before anyone noticed.””
Vanessa covered her face.
For months, she had told herself Marcus was the only person who understood her. He had made her feel important, admired, and wanted.
Now she was discovering that he might have been using her all along.
Marcus reached for her hand.
“Listen to me. We can still fix this.””
She pulled away.
“Don't touch me.””
His expression hardened.
“Funny. You didn't have a problem with that earlier.””
Vanessa looked at him.
“What?””
“I stood beside you when your husband humiliated me. I came here because you promised me you would stand by me.””
“I didn't know you were stealing money!””
“You never asked.””
She stared at him in disbelief.
Then a voice came from the front gate.
“Vanessa.””
Both of them turned.
A black sedan had pulled into the driveway.
The rear door opened.
Richard stepped out wearing a charcoal overcoat.
He looked at his daughter first.
Then at Marcus.
Finally, his eyes settled on the suitcase.
“Interesting,” Richard said.
“I see you've already made arrangements.””
Vanessa hurried toward him.
“Dad, I can explain.””
Richard raised one hand.
“Not here.””
Marcus tried to speak.
“Mr. Collins, I was going to contact you tomorrow.””
Richard looked at him.
“You've had six months to contact me.””
Marcus went quiet.
Richard turned toward Vanessa.
“Get in the car.””
“Dad, please. I need to talk to you.””
“You should have thought about that before giving a stranger access to my business.””
Marcus interrupted.
“She gave me those documents voluntarily.””
Richard slowly turned his head.
“And you used them without authorization.””
Marcus's face changed.
Vanessa looked between them.
“Dad, what exactly is happening?””
Richard opened the car door.
“Tomorrow morning, you'll find out.””
He looked toward the house.
“Where is Lily?””
“Upstairs.””
“Good. At least one person in this family is being protected tonight.””
Vanessa lowered her eyes.
Richard stepped closer and spoke quietly.
“Your husband called me earlier. He didn't ask for money. He didn't ask me to punish you. He asked whether Lily would be safe.””
Vanessa's eyes filled.
“Daniel called you?””
“Yes.””
Richard shook his head.
“And despite everything you've done, he was still worried about your daughter having a relationship with her grandparents.””
Vanessa looked toward the upstairs window.
A small shadow moved behind the curtains.
Lily was watching.
Richard noticed it too.
He opened the rear door of his car.
“Come with me. We have a lot to discuss.””
Vanessa hesitated.
Then Marcus spoke.
“Vanessa, don't go.””
She turned.
For the first time, she saw something in his eyes that she hadn't noticed before.
Fear.
Not fear of losing her.
Fear of being left alone with the consequences.
And as she stepped toward her father's car, Marcus said something that made her stop.
“If you tell Richard everything, I'll have no reason to protect Daniel anymore.””
Vanessa turned slowly.
“What does Daniel have to do with this?””
Marcus didn't answer.
But Richard had heard him.
And the expression on the older man's face changed immediately.
“Get in the car, Vanessa,” he said.
“Dad?””
May you like
Richard looked directly at Marcus.
“Because I think this man has just made a very serious mistake.””
