Chapter 6: The Secret Evelyn Had Buried
“Mom, what hospital bill is she talking about?””
Marcus stood in the middle of the living room, holding his phone.
Evelyn didn't move.
Robert watched his wife carefully.
“Evelyn?””
She looked toward the staircase.
“I need to sit down.””
“You're already sitting,” Robert replied.
Evelyn pressed her trembling hands against her knees.
“Three months ago, I went to the hospital.””
Marcus frowned.
“You were sick?””
“No. I went with Vanessa.””
Robert's stomach tightened.
“Why?””
Evelyn looked at her son.
“She told me she was pregnant.””
Marcus stared at her.
“What?””
“She said she had taken a test, but she wanted to see a doctor before telling you. She asked me to accompany her.””
Marcus slowly lowered his phone.
“And you believed her?””
“She showed me a test.””
“Did you see the doctor?””
Evelyn nodded.
“Yes.””
Robert leaned forward.
“What did the doctor say?””
Evelyn looked down.
“She wasn't pregnant.””
Silence swallowed the room.
Marcus took a step backward.
“What?””
“The doctor told us the test was negative. Vanessa said it was too early and asked for another blood test.””
“Was there another test?””
Evelyn shook her head.
“No.””
Marcus let out a hollow laugh.
“So she's been lying about being pregnant?””
“I don't know what she told you.””
“She told me today that she's carrying my child!””
Evelyn began crying.
“I know.””
Marcus turned away.
He walked toward the kitchen, opened a drawer, and pulled out a glass.
His hand shook so badly that he dropped it.
The glass shattered against the tile.
Nobody moved.
Marcus stared at the broken pieces.
Then he whispered, “She made me believe I was going to be a father.””
Robert stood and approached him.
“Son.””
Marcus raised one hand.
“Please, Dad. Not yet.””
Robert stopped.
Marcus leaned against the counter.
“Do you know what she did last month? She made me paint the spare bedroom. She picked out a crib. She showed me pictures of baby clothes.””
His voice cracked.
“I was so happy.””
Evelyn covered her mouth.
“I should have told you.””
Marcus turned toward her.
“Yes. You should have.””
Robert looked at his wife.
“Why did you pay the hospital bill?””
Evelyn hesitated.
“Vanessa said she didn't want Marcus to know because she was afraid he would be disappointed.””
“That doesn't explain the bill.””
Evelyn reached for her purse and removed a folded receipt.
She handed it to Robert.
He unfolded it.
The receipt showed a payment of $2,800 to a private medical clinic.
Robert examined the date.
It was three months earlier.
“What was this payment for?””
Evelyn looked uncomfortable.
“Vanessa said she needed additional tests.””
“Which tests?””
“I didn't ask.””
Robert stared at her.
“You gave her nearly three thousand dollars without asking what it was for?””
“She was my daughter-in-law!””
“And I was your husband!””
Evelyn flinched.
Robert placed the receipt on the table.
“Did you pay in cash?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“She said she didn't want the payment appearing on Marcus's bank statements.””
Marcus slowly turned around.
“Mom, what else did she tell you?””
Evelyn began shaking her head.
“Nothing.””
“Don't protect her anymore.””
“I wasn't protecting her.””
“Then tell me everything.””
Evelyn wiped her face.
Vanessa had approached her several months earlier with a story about Marcus's business debts. She claimed that several creditors were threatening legal action and that Marcus was too ashamed to tell his parents.
She said he needed money urgently.
She also claimed Robert had promised to help but had changed his mind.
Evelyn believed her.
She had always wanted to protect her son.
Vanessa used that weakness.
First, she asked for small amounts.
Then larger ones.
Finally, she introduced the idea of using Robert's property as security.
“She told me it was temporary,” Evelyn whispered.
“She said the house would remain in your name.””
Robert stared at her.
“And you believed that?””
“She showed me documents.””
“Did you understand them?””
“No.””
“Did you ask Thomas Bennett to review them?””
Evelyn shook her head.
Robert let out a long breath.
“You put our home at risk without even speaking to the lawyer who has handled our affairs for twenty years.””
“I know.””
“You helped someone forge my name.””
“I didn't know it was forged!””
Marcus suddenly slammed his palm against the counter.
“Enough!””
Both parents turned toward him.
He took a deep breath.
“I'm calling Vanessa.””
He dialed her number.
She answered almost immediately.
“Have you calmed down?””
Marcus looked at the phone.
“Were you ever pregnant?””
A pause.
Then Vanessa sighed.
“Not this again.””
“Answer me.””
“Your mother has been telling you stories.””
“Did you take a pregnancy test three months ago?””
“Why?””
“Because Mom took you to the hospital.””
Vanessa was silent.
Marcus's eyes narrowed.
“I'm waiting.””
Finally, she said, “I had a miscarriage.””
Evelyn stood.
“That isn't what the doctor said!””
Vanessa's voice sharpened.
“Excuse me?””
“The doctor said the test was negative. You weren't pregnant!””
Marcus closed his eyes.
“Vanessa, stop lying.””
“I am not lying!””
“Then send me the medical records.””
“No.””
“Why?””
“Because I don't owe you an explanation for everything!””
“I'm your husband!””
“And you're acting like a police officer!””
Marcus looked at Robert.
Then he asked the question that had been haunting him.
“Was there ever a baby?””
Vanessa didn't answer.
The silence lasted several seconds.
Then she spoke.
“Maybe if you had been a better husband, we would have had one.””
Marcus's face crumpled.
“That's not an answer.””
“You want an answer? Fine. I needed time.””
“Time for what?””
“To fix my life!””
Marcus stared at the phone.
“What does that mean?””
“It means I was drowning in problems before I married you. I thought you could give me the stability I needed.””
“And the money?””
“I deserved it!””
Robert stepped closer.
“Three hundred and twenty thousand dollars?””
Vanessa laughed.
“You think that's a lot?””
Marcus's voice became cold.
“Where is it?””
“Somewhere safe.””
“Give it back.””
“No.””
“Then I'll report you.””
“Go ahead.””
“Vanessa, I'm serious.””
“So am I.””
Her voice suddenly became quiet.
“Before you do anything, you should know something about your father.””
Marcus looked toward Robert.
“What?””
Vanessa continued.
“Ask him why he never told you about the other property.””
Robert went completely still.
Evelyn looked up.
“Vanessa, don't.””
But Vanessa continued.
“Your father has another house. One he inherited years ago. And he has been keeping it from you.””
Marcus turned toward Robert.
“Dad?””
Robert's expression changed.
He hadn't expected this.
Not tonight.
Not after everything.
“It's true,” he said quietly.
Marcus stared at him.
“You own another property?””
“Yes.””
“Where?””
“About forty miles outside town. It belonged to your grandfather.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because it has nothing to do with your life or your company.””
Marcus shook his head.
“Does Mom know?””
Robert glanced at Evelyn.
“Yes.””
Vanessa's voice came through the phone again.
“And that's the property your father really wants to protect.””
Robert's face hardened.
“You don't know anything about that property.””
“Oh, I know enough.””
“How?””
Vanessa gave a small laugh.
“Because someone has already made an offer for it.””
Marcus looked confused.
“What offer?””
Robert grabbed the phone from his son.
“Vanessa, who did you contact?””
She paused.
Then she said six words that made Robert's blood run cold.
“The buyer is your father's attorney.””
Robert felt his knees weaken.
Thomas Bennett.
His trusted family lawyer.
The man who had promised to come over at nine the next morning.
“That's impossible,” Robert whispered.
Vanessa laughed.
“Is it?””
Then the call ended.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Marcus stared at his father.
“Dad, could Thomas be involved?””
Robert looked at the phone in his hand.
He wanted to say no.
He wanted to believe that at least one person in his life remained trustworthy.
But before he could answer, a new message arrived.
May you like
This time, it came from Thomas Bennett.
*Robert, do not sign anything tomorrow. I just discovered that someone has submitted a transfer application involving your inherited property. And your name is already on it.*
