Chapter 8: The Place Where My Father Left Answers
The lake looked exactly like I remembered.
Quiet.
Beautiful.
Almost peaceful.
Which made it feel cruel.
Because the last time I stood there, I was sixteen years old, sitting between my parents on a blanket while my father told jokes so bad that even he laughed at them.
Now I stood there holding a letter from him.
A letter he expected me to read after he was gone.
Marcus parked behind me.
“You okay?””
I looked at the water.
“No.””
He nodded.
For once, he didn’t tell me everything would be fine.
He knew better.
Sometimes comfort felt like another lie.
Olivia stood beside us.
“I’m sorry.””
I looked at her.
She had said it a hundred times.
But this time, I believed her.
“I know.””
She looked surprised.
“But I’m still angry.””
She nodded.
“You should be.””
We walked toward the old wooden dock.
The place where my father proposed.
The place where he carved my mother’s initials into a tree.
Marcus studied the area.
“What exactly did he mean?””
I opened the letter.
“Look where our story began.””
Olivia looked around.
“Mom and Dad met here.””
I touched the old tree.
“Dad loved this place.””
Marcus looked at the tree.
Then suddenly stopped.
“Wait.””
He walked closer.
“What?””
He pointed.
“There.””
Hidden beneath layers of bark was a small metal piece.
My breath caught.
My father’s initials.
B.B.
Bennett.
My family name.
Marcus pulled out a pocket knife.
“Your father built things, right?””
I nodded.
“He always hid things inside things.””
A small smile appeared.
The first one I’d seen in days.
“That sounds like him.””
After several minutes, we found a loose piece of wood.
Inside was a small compartment.
And inside that compartment…
Was a key.
Not a regular key.
An old brass key.
Attached was a note.
*For Nia.*
My hands shook.
I opened it.
*I knew you would find this. You were always the curious one.*
A tear slipped down my face.
Even after eight years.
He still knew me.
The note continued.
*The truth is not in this box. This key opens the place where I kept what mattered most.*
I looked at Marcus.
“Where?””
Before he answered, a sound came from behind us.
A branch breaking.
We turned.
Nobody.
But then my phone rang.
Daniel.
I answered.
“Where are you?””
His voice was calm.
“You found the key.””
My blood ran cold.
“How do you know?””
“Because your father made the same mistake you are making.””
“What mistake?””
“Thinking love makes people loyal.””
I looked around.
“Are you threatening me?””
“No.””
He laughed softly.
“I’m warning you.””
“About what?””
A pause.
Then:
“Ask Marcus where he got those documents.””
I looked at my husband.
“What does that mean?””
Daniel didn’t answer.
The call ended.
I turned toward Marcus.
“What did he mean?””
Marcus looked uncomfortable.
“I don’t know.””
I stared.
“Marcus.””
He sighed.
“Your father’s files didn’t come from me.””
“Then where?””
He hesitated.
That hesitation returned.
The one I hated.
“Marcus.””
He looked at Olivia.
Then back at me.
“From Daniel.””
The world stopped.
“What?””
“When Daniel gave me access to the company records, I found inconsistencies.””
I stared at him.
“So the evidence came from him?””
“Yes.””
“That makes no sense.””
“It was a trap.””
My stomach dropped.
“He wanted you to find it?””
Marcus nodded.
“He wanted me to think I discovered everything.””
“Why?””
“Because he knew I would investigate.””
I stepped back.
“And then?””
Marcus looked at the key in my hand.
“He wanted to know where your father hid the real evidence.””
I felt sick.
All this time…
Daniel had been watching.
Waiting.
Using everyone.
My phone buzzed again.
This time, a video.
From an unknown number.
I pressed play.
The screen showed Daniel.
But younger.
Eight years ago.
Standing outside my parents’ house.
My blood froze.
Then another person appeared.
Someone walking toward him.
Someone I recognized.
Someone who should not have been there.
My mother.
The video ended.
I looked at her.
“Mom was working with Daniel?””
Olivia’s face went pale.
“No.””
But I wasn’t sure anymore.
Marcus took my hand.
“Nia, wait.””
I pulled away.
Because suddenly every person in my life had a secret.
Every person had a reason.
Every person had a story.
And I was tired of being the last one to know.
I looked at the brass key.
“Where does this open?””
Nobody answered.
Then Olivia whispered:
“Your father’s office.””
I looked at her.
“My father’s old office was destroyed.””
She shook her head.
“No.””
Her voice was barely audible.
“Daniel made everyone think it was.””
A cold feeling spread through me.
“Where is it?””
Olivia looked toward the road.
May you like
And whispered:
“Under the house.””
