Chapter 4: The Letter From His Dead Wife
Marcus stared at the yellowed envelope as if it had suddenly become something dangerous.
His thumb moved over Evelyn's handwriting.
Seven years.
Seven years since he had stood beside her hospital bed, held her hand, and promised he would take care of their son.
Seven years since he had buried the woman he believed was the love of his life.
And now, her handwriting was sitting in his palm.
"Open it, Dad," Ethan said quietly.
Marcus didn't move.
"Where did you get this?""
"The bank gave me a certified copy. Mom left instructions that it was supposed to be released if someone attempted to access her safety deposit box without your authorization.""
Marcus looked at him.
"Why didn't you tell me about this before?""
"Because I didn't know what was inside. I wanted you to see it yourself.""
Marcus carefully broke the seal.
Inside was a folded letter and a small photograph.
He unfolded the letter.
The first line made his face change.
My dearest Marcus,
If you're reading this, something has happened that I prayed would never happen. I hope I'm wrong about the person who will bring this letter into your hands.
Marcus stopped.
He looked up at me.
I forced myself to maintain eye contact.
"Darling, you don't seriously believe a letter written seven years ago can prove anything about me?""
He didn't answer.
He continued reading.
There is something I never told you about my final months. I discovered that someone had been accessing our financial records without my knowledge. At first, I believed it was a mistake. Then I found documents showing that someone had been preparing to transfer ownership of several family assets.
Marcus's breathing changed.
He read the next paragraph.
I confronted the person responsible. They told me I was confused because of my medication. They said nobody would believe me if I spoke about it.
Ethan stepped closer.
"Mom was trying to tell you something before she died, wasn't she?""
Marcus swallowed.
"She told me she was worried about the business. I thought it was because of the stress.""
"She asked me to stay away from her office during those last weeks," Ethan said.
"I thought she was sick and wanted privacy.""
Marcus looked down again.
Marcus, if Vanessa Cole is ever part of your life, do not dismiss this warning.
The room went silent.
Marcus read the sentence again.
Then he looked at me.
"Vanessa Cole?""
My legs nearly gave way.
I gripped the edge of the dresser.
"That's impossible.""
Ethan frowned.
"What?""
I shook my head.
"She couldn't have known me.""
Marcus held up the letter.
"She knew your name.""
"Maybe someone told her about me.""
"Seven years ago?""
I laughed nervously.
"Perhaps she met someone with the same name.""
Marcus looked at the photograph.
It showed Evelyn sitting at a restaurant table with another woman.
The woman was younger, with dark hair and a red scarf.
Marcus turned the photograph over.
There was a handwritten date.
And beneath it, a message.
The woman who came to the house.
He stared at the picture.
Then at me.
"Vanessa, is that you?""
I didn't answer.
Ethan took the photograph.
His eyes widened.
"That's her.""
Marcus looked at him.
"You're sure?""
"I've seen this picture before.""
"When?""
"In Mom's old album. She had it hidden behind another photograph.""
I snatched the picture from his hand.
"Give me that!""
Marcus caught my wrist.
"Don't.""
For a moment, we stood face-to-face.
I could see the anger in his eyes.
But beneath it was something worse.
Fear.
"Tell me the truth," he said.
I pulled away.
"I was young. I barely remember anything from that time.""
"Why were you with my wife?""
"I don't know.""
"Why does she mention you in her letter?""
"I don't know!""
Marcus stepped back.
Ethan quietly took out his phone.
"I think you should hear the voicemail.""
Marcus turned.
"What voicemail?""
Ethan unlocked his phone.
"Mom recorded something the night before she died. I found it on an old backup drive.""
Marcus stared at him.
"Why have you kept that from me?""
"Because I wasn't sure I could listen to it.""
Ethan pressed play.
A woman's voice filled the room.
Weak.
Breathless.
But unmistakably Evelyn's.
"Marcus, if you ever hear this, please don't blame yourself. I should have told you everything earlier.""
Marcus covered his mouth.
The recording continued.
"I found out what Vanessa was doing. She came to see me again today. She told me I needed to stop asking questions. She said she had already made arrangements.""
I closed my eyes.
No.
Not this.
Evelyn's voice became quieter.
"Marcus, the money isn't the important part. It's the documents. If she gets those documents, she'll have something she can use against you.""
A pause.
Then a faint sound, like someone moving near the microphone.
Evelyn whispered:
"Please protect Ethan. He must never know what happened that night.""
The recording ended.
Nobody moved.
Marcus slowly lowered his hands.
"What happened that night?"" he whispered.
Ethan looked at me.
I shook my head.
"That's edited.""
Marcus turned.
"What?""
"Someone cut the recording. You can't trust it.""
Ethan frowned.
"I restored the original file.""
"Then someone manipulated the original!""
Marcus's expression hardened.
"Stop.""
I started pacing.
"Your son has been collecting things for months. He has access to your business, your computer, your accounts. How do you know he didn't manufacture all of this?""
Ethan looked exhausted.
"Why would I do that?""
"Because you hate me!""
"I hate what you're doing to my father.""
Marcus raised his voice.
"Both of you, stop!""
He walked toward the bedroom door.
"I need some air.""
I followed him.
"Marcus, please. We can talk.""
He turned.
"Not another word.""
"You're my husband.""
"And Ethan is my son.""
The words struck harder than I expected.
Marcus looked at the letter again.
Then he made a decision.
"I'm calling the bank tomorrow. I'm requesting the original safety deposit records, and I'm having the entire property searched.""
I shook my head.
"You can't do that.""
"Watch me.""
He walked downstairs.
Ethan stayed behind.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then he moved closer.
"You should have left when you had the chance.""
I laughed bitterly.
"You think you've won?""
"No. I think my mother spent seven years waiting for someone to finish what she started.""
He turned toward the door.
I grabbed his sleeve.
"Listen to me carefully, Ethan. Your mother was sick. She was confused. She imagined things.""
He looked down at my hand.
Then back at me.
"My mother was dying, and you were already afraid of her.""
He pulled away.
Before leaving, he looked at the open jewelry box.
"One more thing.""
I stared at him.
"What?""
"That photograph wasn't the only thing Mom left behind.""
He disappeared into the hallway.
I remained beside the wardrobe, staring at the empty velvet box.
Then my phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
One message.
You promised me the money would be mine when Marcus signed the papers.
A second message appeared.
If he finds the original contract, we're both finished.
I stared at the screen.
Then I heard footsteps outside the bedroom.
May you like
Marcus was coming back.
And he wasn't alone.
