Chapter 4: The Letter His Mother Left Behind
“DON'T OPEN THAT!””
Vanessa's scream echoed through the mansion.
Marcus immediately stood, placing himself between her and Ethan.
“That's enough.””
But Vanessa wasn't looking at him anymore.
Her eyes were fixed on the yellowed envelope in the little boy's hand.
Ethan instinctively stepped backward.
“Dad, why is she angry?””
Marcus crouched beside him.
“She's not going to hurt you again. I promise.””
Vanessa laughed nervously.
“Marcus, listen to me. You don't understand what that letter contains.””
“Then explain it.””
“I can't.””
“Can't or won't?””
She pressed both hands against her forehead.
“Your wife was sick when she wrote it. She wasn't thinking clearly.””
Marcus felt his stomach tighten.
“Don't you dare talk about my wife.””
Vanessa took a step forward.
“I'm only saying that you shouldn't trust everything written in that envelope.””
Ethan looked down at the handwriting.
“Mom said Dad would know what to do.””
Marcus felt his throat tighten.
He recognized every curve of the letters.
Three years earlier, his wife, Laura, had spent her final weeks in a hospital room overlooking a small garden. She had been weak, but she still insisted on writing letters for Ethan.
Marcus had promised to preserve them.
He had received several envelopes after her death.
But he had never seen this one.
“Where did you find it, sweetheart?”” he asked.
“In the little cabinet in your office.””
Marcus glanced toward Vanessa.
She looked away.
“Did you open the cabinet?””
Ethan shook his head.
“No. I found the key inside the wooden music box Mom gave me. I remembered she told me there was something important in your office.””
Marcus's eyes widened.
The music box.
He had almost forgotten it existed.
Laura had given it to Ethan on his sixth birthday, shortly before she died. It played a gentle melody whenever the lid opened.
Marcus had assumed it was simply a sentimental gift.
But apparently, it had contained something else.
“Why didn't you tell me earlier?”” he asked.
Ethan lowered his eyes.
“Because Vanessa said I wasn't allowed to touch your things. She said you'd get angry.””
Marcus looked at Vanessa.
“Is that true?””
Vanessa shrugged.
“He's a child. I was trying to teach him boundaries.””
“You told him not to give me the letter?””
“I told him to stay out of your office!””
Marcus held out his hand.
“Give me the envelope, sweetheart.””
Ethan carefully placed it in his father's palm.
The envelope was sealed.
On the front, Laura had written:
For Marcus. Only if someone tries to take what belongs to our son.
Marcus felt a chill run down his spine.
He turned the envelope over.
The seal was intact.
Vanessa moved closer.
“Marcus, please. Whatever you're thinking, don't make a decision tonight.””
He looked at her.
“Why?””
“Because this could destroy everything we've built.””
“Maybe it deserves to be destroyed.””
He carefully opened the envelope.
Inside was a handwritten letter and a small silver USB drive.
Marcus stared at the contents.
“What is this?””
Vanessa's face lost all color.
Ethan looked between them.
“Dad, is that Mom's?””
Marcus nodded slowly.
“Yes, sweetheart.””
He unfolded the letter.
My dearest Marcus,
If you're reading this, something has happened that I prayed would never happen. I don't know when you'll find this letter, but I know one thing with absolute certainty: our son must never lose what I worked so hard to protect for him.
Marcus stopped reading.
His fingers trembled.
He continued.
I established a trust for Ethan before my illness became too serious. It contains the inheritance from my parents, the proceeds from my investment portfolio, and the shares I purchased in Carter Holdings.
Marcus looked up.
Carter Holdings was his company.
Laura had invested in it years before their marriage.
He had known she owned shares, but he had never questioned how many.
He continued reading.
The trust is legally protected. Ethan is the sole beneficiary. You are his guardian, but you are not permitted to transfer or liquidate the assets without the approval of the independent trustee.
Marcus frowned.
He turned the page.
The next paragraph made his blood run cold.
I discovered that someone close to our family had been asking questions about the trust. Someone who has access to our home and knows where we keep important documents.
Marcus slowly raised his eyes.
Vanessa was staring at the USB drive.
“What's on that?”” he asked.
“I don't know.””
Marcus didn't believe her.
He returned to the letter.
Marcus, if Vanessa Reed ever becomes involved in Ethan's financial affairs, please investigate everything before signing anything. I have reason to believe she has been communicating with someone about gaining access to the trust.
The room seemed to tilt.
Marcus read the sentence again.
Vanessa immediately shook her head.
“This is insane.””
Marcus continued.
I wanted to tell you everything, but I needed proof. The person helping me investigate is someone you already know.
At the bottom of the page was a name.
*Daniel Reed.*
Marcus looked up sharply.
“Your brother?””
Vanessa said nothing.
“Your brother was helping my wife investigate you?””
“That's not what happened.””
“Then what happened?””
She backed away.
Marcus held up the letter.
“Laura knew your family was involved in something.””
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
“Your wife was paranoid!””
“Careful.””
“She was dying, Marcus! She didn't trust anyone!””
Marcus's voice shook.
“She trusted me enough to leave this for our son.””
He turned the letter over.
There was one final sentence.
The USB contains the evidence. But before you watch it, remember this: the person who appears most helpful may be the one you need to fear most.
Marcus looked toward the television.
Then at Vanessa.
“I'm going to find out everything.””
She suddenly rushed toward him.
“Give me that drive!””
Marcus pulled it away.
Mrs. Collins screamed.
Ethan grabbed his father's hand.
“Dad!””
Marcus stepped backward.
“Get away from us, Vanessa.””
For several seconds, she stood motionless.
Then she whispered something that made Marcus's blood run cold.
“You don't understand. Daniel wasn't the only person Laura was investigating.””
Marcus stared at her.
“Who else?””
Vanessa looked directly into his eyes.
“Your business partner.””
Marcus felt the air leave his lungs.
Because his business partner was the man who had stood beside him for fifteen years.
The man who had helped him build the company.
May you like
The man who had been the first person to suggest that he propose to Vanessa.
And according to Laura's letter, he might have been involved all along.
