Chapter 7: The Night Renee Died
Darius read the anonymous message again.
If you want to know who really planned this, ask your mother what happened the night Renee died.
For several seconds, he couldn't move.
Renee had died two years earlier after a sudden medical emergency. The doctors had explained that her condition had deteriorated unexpectedly. Darius had been at a business conference in Chicago when the hospital called.
Margaret had been the person who contacted him.
She had told him Renee had collapsed at home.
She had told him the ambulance arrived too late.
And she had held his hand at the funeral, promising that she would help him raise Kayla.
Now someone was suggesting that his mother had hidden something.
“Darius?””
Marcus's voice brought him back.
“What's wrong?””
Darius showed him the message.
Marcus read it silently.
Then he looked up.
“Do you think it's true?””
“I don't know.””
“Maybe someone is trying to manipulate you.””
“Maybe.””
But Darius couldn't ignore the feeling growing inside his chest.
He turned toward Kayla.
The little girl was sitting in the back seat of Marcus's SUV, holding her stuffed elephant.
“Daddy, are we going?””
Darius forced a smile.
“Yes, sweetheart.””
He closed the car door and walked around to the driver's side.
But before he got in, he called his mother's number.
She answered immediately.
“Darius? Have you calmed down?””
He ignored the question.
“I need to ask you something.””
“Of course, darling.””
“What happened the night Renee died?””
Silence.
Then Margaret laughed softly.
“What kind of question is that?””
“The hospital said she collapsed. You were there before the ambulance arrived, weren't you?””
“Yes.””
“Why didn't you tell me that you had been arguing with her earlier that evening?””
The silence returned.
This time, it lasted longer.
“Who told you that?””
Darius closed his eyes.
“So it's true.””
“Darius, your wife was very ill. She was under enormous stress.””
“That's not what I asked.””
Margaret's voice sharpened.
“I don't think this is an appropriate conversation.””
“Did you argue with Renee that night?””
“Goodbye, Darius.””
“Mother!””
She ended the call.
Marcus had been watching him.
“What did she say?””
“Nothing. Which tells me more than enough.””
They drove to Marcus's house.
It was a quiet property about twenty minutes from Darius's home, surrounded by tall oak trees and a small garden.
Kayla seemed relieved when she saw the guest bedroom.
There were soft blankets, a nightlight, and a shelf filled with children's books.
Marcus had even bought her a stuffed golden retriever.
“Is this for me?”” Kayla asked.
Marcus smiled.
“Only if you promise to give him a name.””
Kayla considered it.
“Biscuit.””
“Excellent choice.””
For the first time in hours, she giggled.
Darius watched her from the doorway.
That little sound was worth more than every dollar he had ever earned.
Later that evening, after Kayla had fallen asleep, Darius sat at Marcus's kitchen table with Renee's old medical records.
He had kept them in a locked cabinet since her death.
He had never wanted to look at them.
Now he opened the folder.
The hospital discharge summaries were there, along with the ambulance report and several handwritten notes from Renee's physician.
One detail caught his attention.
The emergency call had been placed at 9:42 P.M.
But according to Margaret's original statement, Renee had collapsed shortly before nine.
Why had there been such a delay?
Darius called the hospital.
After explaining the situation, he requested guidance on obtaining the relevant records through the proper legal process.
The representative told him that the original emergency documentation would need to be requested formally.
He thanked her and hung up.
Marcus placed a cup of coffee beside him.
“Anything?””
“Not yet.””
Then Darius remembered something.
Renee had owned an old tablet.
After her death, Margaret had collected several personal belongings from the house, claiming she wanted to organize them for Kayla.
Darius had never seen that tablet again.
“Marcus, do you remember Renee's old tablet?””
“The silver one?””
“Yes.””
“I think your mother took it after the funeral.””
Darius looked up.
“Why?””
“She said it contained photographs and family documents.””
Darius pulled out his phone.
He searched through his old messages until he found one from Margaret, sent two days after Renee's funeral.
I've collected Renee's personal belongings. I'll keep everything safe until you're ready.
Darius stared at it.
He had never questioned her.
The following morning, he drove to Margaret's house.
Marcus insisted on accompanying him.
When they arrived, Margaret was standing on the front porch, watering a row of white orchids.
She looked surprised to see them.
“Darius? What are you doing here?””
“I need Renee's tablet.””
Margaret lowered the watering can.
“I don't know what you're talking about.””
“The silver tablet you collected after the funeral.””
“Oh, that old thing? I probably donated it.””
Darius stared at her.
“You donated my wife's personal belongings?””
Margaret shrugged.
“They were only taking up space.””
Marcus stepped forward.
“Margaret, that's not an answer.””
She looked irritated.
“I don't appreciate being interrogated in my own home.””
Darius held up his phone.
“Then answer one question. Did you delete anything from Renee's devices?””
Margaret's expression changed.
For a brief moment, genuine fear crossed her face.
Then she turned away.
“I think you should leave.””
Darius followed her into the hallway.
“Mother, what happened that night?””
Margaret stopped near the staircase.
“You need to stop digging into the past.””
“Why?””
“Because it won't bring Renee back.””
“That doesn't answer my question.””
Margaret turned sharply.
“Your wife was not the perfect woman you remember!””
Darius froze.
“What did you say?””
Margaret's eyes filled.
“She was stubborn. She argued with everyone. She thought she knew what was best for Kayla.””
“Because she was Kayla's mother.””
Margaret looked away.
Then she said something that made Darius's stomach tighten.
“Renee was going to leave you.””
The hallway went silent.
Darius stared at her.
“What?””
“She was unhappy. She was talking about taking Kayla and moving away.””
“That's a lie.””
“I heard her myself.””
“When?””
Margaret's voice dropped.
“The night she died.””
Darius stepped closer.
“Tell me everything.””
Margaret shook her head.
“I don't owe you an explanation.””
“You owe Renee one.””
She looked at him with something between anger and fear.
Then her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen.
The caller's name was Richard Collins.
She rejected the call.
Darius noticed.
“Why is Brittany's father calling you?””
Margaret slipped the phone into her pocket.
“That's none of your concern.””
But before he could respond, a notification appeared on her screen.
Darius caught a glimpse of the message.
The original recording is still missing. Don't let him find it.
He reached for the phone.
Margaret pulled it away.
“Don't touch my things!””
Darius stared at her.
“What recording?””
Margaret said nothing.
Marcus stepped between them.
“Darius, let's go.””
Darius backed away slowly.
As they reached the front door, Margaret called after him.
“Darius!””
He turned.
Her face was pale.
“Whatever you find, remember that I was trying to protect this family.””
He looked at her.
“You had two years to tell me the truth.””
Then he walked out.
In the car, Marcus opened his phone.
“Darius, I think I found something.””
“What?””
“Renee's old email account. One of her messages was forwarded to you shortly before she died, but you never opened it.””
Darius stared at the screen.
The subject line read:
*If Anything Happens to Me, Please Protect Kayla.*
His hands began to shake.
He opened the email.
There was one sentence.
May you like
Darius, if your mother tells you I left voluntarily, please don't believe her.
And beneath it was a video attachment.
