Chapter 5: The Secret Beneath the Rose Garden
Marcus watched the footage four times.
Victoria and Richard entered Elena's house at 11:42 p.m.
They left thirteen minutes later.
At 12:18 a.m., Elena's car was reported off the road.
Marcus leaned back in his chair.
His hands were shaking.
The official police report had stated that Elena lost control of her vehicle during heavy rain. There had been no indication of foul play.
But the footage raised a question nobody had ever asked.
What had Victoria and Richard been doing in his wife's house twenty minutes before she died?
He called Daniel.
"Get me the original police report.""
"I've already requested it.""
"Contact the detective who handled the case.""
"Marcus, that detective retired.""
"Then find him.""
Daniel paused.
"Are you sure you want to reopen this?""
Marcus looked at Maya's drawing on the refrigerator.
Three people beneath an apple tree.
"Yes.""
At noon, Victoria arrived at the wedding estate.
The venue was spectacular.
White roses covered the entrance. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. A string quartet rehearsed near the ballroom.
She walked through the reception hall, checking the table arrangements.
"Those flowers are too low," she told the coordinator.
The woman adjusted them.
"And the photographs?""
"Already arranged, Mrs. Reed.""
Victoria smiled.
"Not Mrs. Reed yet.""
The coordinator laughed politely.
Victoria's phone rang.
Richard.
She stepped into the hallway.
"What?""
"Have you spoken to Marcus?""
"He's suspicious.""
"How suspicious?""
"He has the photograph.""
Richard cursed.
"Which photograph?""
"The one outside the building.""
"That was supposed to be destroyed.""
"Well, it wasn't.""
Richard lowered his voice.
"Listen carefully. We need to get the ring.""
Victoria glanced around.
"Maya won't give it to me.""
"Then find another way.""
"She's twelve, Richard. I'm not going to fight a child for jewelry.""
"It's not jewelry.""
Victoria's face tightened.
"I know what it is.""
"Then act like it.""
She ended the call.
As she turned, she nearly collided with Maya.
The little girl was standing beside the ballroom entrance.
Victoria forced a smile.
"How long have you been there?""
"Not long.""
"Did you hear anything?""
"No.""
Victoria looked at her suspiciously.
Then she crouched.
"Maya, sweetheart, I think we should talk.""
Maya stepped backward.
"About what?""
"Your mother.""
Maya's expression changed.
Victoria continued.
"Your father is going through a difficult time. He's confused about some things. I don't want you to make it harder for him.""
"I didn't do anything.""
"I know.""
Victoria reached for her hand.
"That's why I'm asking you to help me. Your father and I are getting married. We need to start fresh.""
Maya looked at her.
"Did you know my mom?""
Victoria's smile faded.
"Of course.""
"Did you like her?""
Victoria stood.
"That isn't an appropriate question.""
"Why?""
"Because she's gone, Maya.""
The girl looked down at her shoes.
Victoria leaned closer.
"Sometimes it's healthier to stop living in the past.""
Maya lifted her eyes.
"My mom said people who want you to forget the past usually have something to hide.""
Victoria went completely still.
Then she grabbed Maya's wrist.
"Who told you that?""
Maya pulled away.
"Let go!""
Victoria released her immediately.
Her eyes moved toward the hallway.
A wedding photographer had been standing nearby.
He had seen everything.
Victoria straightened her dress.
"You're being dramatic.""
Maya ran toward the exit.
Victoria watched her disappear.
Then she took out her phone.
"Richard," she whispered.
"We have a problem.""
Marcus arrived at the estate twenty minutes later.
He found Maya sitting alone in the bridal suite.
Her eyes were red.
"What happened?""
She shook her head.
He crouched in front of her.
"Sweetheart, tell me.""
"Victoria grabbed me.""
Marcus's expression hardened.
"Where?""
"She wanted Mom's ring.""
Marcus gently checked her wrist.
There were faint red marks.
He stood.
"Stay here.""
Maya caught his sleeve.
"Please don't leave me.""
He immediately sat back down.
"I'm not going anywhere.""
She hugged him.
After a moment, she whispered, "I don't want you to marry her.""
Marcus closed his eyes.
He had been waiting for those words.
Not because he wanted his daughter to approve of his relationship, but because he had been afraid she would feel responsible for whatever decision he made.
He held her shoulders.
"Maya, I need you to understand something. The wedding is not more important than you.""
"Then why is it still happening?""
Marcus looked at her.
He didn't have an answer.
Not yet.
That evening, Marcus returned to the family home with Maya.
He asked the housekeeper to prepare dinner and then went straight to the garden.
The rose bushes were thick with flowers.
Elena had planted them herself.
A small stone bench stood beneath the oldest arch.
Marcus remembered sitting there with her on summer evenings, listening to Maya laugh while she chased butterflies.
He ran his fingers along the wooden frame.
The words came back.
The truth is where the roses bloom.
He called Claire.
"Elena left something in the rose garden.""
Claire inhaled sharply.
"Then you've found the clue.""
"What am I looking for?""
"I don't know exactly. Before she died, Elena told me she'd hidden something where Maya could find it when she turned twelve.""
Marcus looked toward the roses.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because she made me promise not to reveal anything until the time came.""
"Claire, my daughter is being threatened.""
"I know.""
"Then stop protecting secrets and help me.""
Claire was silent.
Finally, she said, "Look beneath the stone bench.""
Marcus ended the call.
He knelt beside the bench.
The ground was damp. He pushed aside the loose soil near the right leg and found a small metal box.
His heart began racing.
The box had a narrow opening shaped like a rose.
He took the silver ring from his pocket.
The band fit perfectly.
A tiny click sounded.
The lid opened.
Inside was a flash drive, a photograph, and a folded letter.
Marcus unfolded the letter first.
My darling Maya,
If you are reading this, you are twelve years old. I wish I could be there to celebrate with you.
There are things adults sometimes hide because they think children are too young to understand. But you deserve the truth, especially when that truth concerns your safety.
Your father made me a promise. I need you to remind him of it.
The silver ring opens this box. The recording inside will explain everything.
Marcus felt tears sting his eyes.
He turned toward the house.
Maya was standing in the doorway.
"Dad?""
He held up the box.
"Your mother left us something.""
Maya ran toward him.
Together, they examined the contents.
The photograph showed Elena sitting at a table with a man Marcus recognized from his company.
It was Peter Lawson, his former business partner.
But Peter had died eighteen months earlier.
On the back of the photograph was a handwritten date.
October 12.
Five days before Elena's accident.
Maya pointed to the flash drive.
"Can we listen?""
Marcus nodded.
They went inside.
He connected it to his laptop.
A video opened.
Elena appeared on the screen.
She looked tired. Her hair was tied back, and there were dark circles beneath her eyes.
But she was smiling.
"Hello, my loves.""
Marcus covered his mouth.
Maya whispered, "Mom.""
Elena continued.
"If you're watching this, then I've either lost the chance to explain everything myself, or someone has finally decided you deserve the truth.""
She took a breath.
"I discovered that money was being taken from Maya's inheritance. At first, I thought it was a mistake. Then I found out that the person responsible had been using Marcus's company to hide the transactions.""
She looked directly into the camera.
"Richard Hayes was involved. But he wasn't working alone.""
Marcus leaned closer.
Elena picked up a document.
"This person had access to our house, our accounts, and our private conversations.""
She hesitated.
Then she said a name.
"Victoria.""
Marcus stopped breathing.
Maya grabbed his hand.
Elena continued.
"I confronted her. She told me she was only helping Richard. But I don't believe her.""
A tear rolled down her cheek.
"Marcus, if you're watching this, please understand that I never wanted you to suffer. I tried to protect our daughter without destroying your life.""
She looked away from the camera.
Then she returned her gaze.
"There is one more thing you need to know.""
A sound came from outside.
Elena turned toward the door.
Someone was approaching.
She quickly leaned forward.
"Marcus, the accident wasn't—"
The video stopped.
The screen went black.
Marcus stared at the laptop.
"No.""
He clicked the file again.
The same ending.
He checked the drive.
There was another folder.
It contained a document titled:
*VEHICLE INSPECTION — ORIGINAL COPY*
Marcus opened it.
His eyes moved down the page.
The brake system had been inspected forty-eight hours before Elena's accident.
The report stated that the vehicle was mechanically sound.
But beneath it was a handwritten note.
Rear brake line compromised. Evidence of deliberate interference.
Marcus felt his stomach turn.
Maya began crying.
"Dad, what happened to Mom?""
He closed the laptop.
Then he pulled her into his arms.
"I don't know everything yet.""
"Was it an accident?""
He held her tightly.
"I'm going to find out.""
His phone rang.
Daniel.
Marcus answered.
"Tell me.""
Daniel's voice was urgent.
"We found the mechanic who inspected Elena's car.""
"Where is he?""
"He's dead.""
Marcus closed his eyes.
"What?""
"He died six months ago. But his daughter just contacted me.""
"Why?""
"She says her father kept a copy of the original inspection report.""
"Where?""
Daniel paused.
Then he delivered the words that changed everything.
"In a safety deposit box registered under Victoria Hayes's name.""
At 11:30 p.m., Marcus received another message.
This time, it came from an unknown number.
There was a photograph attached.
It showed Maya standing outside her school.
Taken that afternoon.
Underneath it was a single sentence.
You have until tomorrow morning to return what belongs to us.
Marcus looked toward the staircase.
Maya was asleep.
He called the police.
Then he called Claire.
And finally, he sent a message to Victoria.
The wedding is still happening. We need to talk.
Her reply arrived almost instantly.
I knew you'd come around.
Marcus stared at the message.
He hadn't changed his mind.
He had just realized something.
May you like
If Victoria believed the wedding was going ahead, she might finally reveal what she had spent three years hiding.
And he intended to make sure she did it in front of everyone.
