Chapter 8 - VANESSA'S CONFESSION
Vanessa was at the Mercer estate.
Suitcases were stacked beside the staircase.
Graham entered.
Naomi followed.
His mother Evelyn stood near the living room.
“You shouldn't be here,” Vanessa said.
Graham stared.
“Where are you going?”
“Somewhere safe.”
“From what?”
She didn't answer.
Naomi stepped forward.
“From Daniel Cross?”
Vanessa froze.
That was enough.
Graham looked at her.
“You've been working with him.”
“No.”
“You haven't?”
“He controlled everything.”
“How?”
“He knew my debt.”
“What debt?”
“My father's company failed.”
“Daniel offered to save it.”
“And in exchange?”
Vanessa looked down.
“I had to marry you.”
Graham went pale.
“What?”
“They told me your family trust was vulnerable.”
“They said you would eventually inherit everything.”
“So I was selected.”
“Yes.”
Naomi stared.
The wedding.
The photographs.
The dress.
Everything had been planned.
Graham whispered:
“Did you ever love me?”
Vanessa's eyes filled.
“I wanted to.”
“But?”
“But I knew this marriage was built on a lie.”
Graham turned away.
“What about Maisie?”
Vanessa began crying.
“I didn't want to hurt her.”
“But you did.”
“I was told to keep her away from the guests.”
“Why?”
“Because Daniel wanted footage.”
“What kind?”
“Footage showing you were absent.”
Graham stared.
“Why?”
“So they could argue you were neglectful.”
Naomi understood.
The wedding wasn't just about humiliating her.
It was about creating another piece of evidence.
Vanessa had been instructed to keep Maisie out of sight.
Then Naomi would explode.
Then someone would record it.
Then Graham would appear incapable of controlling his ex-wife.
Everything had been staged.
Graham looked at Vanessa.
“Who else is involved?”
She whispered:
“Your uncle.”
“Which one?”
“Charles Mercer.”
Graham froze.
“My grandfather?”
“No.”
“Your father's younger brother.”
“The man who supposedly died years ago.”
“That's impossible.”
“He isn't dead.”
Naomi's heart sank.
Again.
Another Mercer who had disappeared.
Another supposed death.
Another secret.
Vanessa handed Graham a small drive.
“This contains every instruction they gave me.”
He looked at it.
“Why give it to us?”
“Because I don't want to spend the rest of my life afraid.”
Naomi nodded.
“That is the first honest thing you've done.”
Vanessa began crying.
“I know.”
Graham looked at the drive.
Then at Naomi.
“We need to take this to the police.”
“Yes.”
But before they left, Evelyn spoke.
“Wait.”
Everyone turned.
She was holding an old photograph.
“Your uncle isn't the only person involved.”
She handed it to Naomi.
The photograph showed three men.
Charles Mercer.
Daniel Cross.
And Naomi's father.
On the back was written:
PHASE THREE BEGINS WITH THE CHILD.
Naomi's stomach dropped.
“Phase three?”
Evelyn nodded.
“There were three phases.”
“What's the third?”
“I don't know.”
Suddenly, a phone rang upstairs.
Everyone froze.
The sound came from Vanessa's abandoned bedroom.
Graham went upstairs.
A burner phone lay on the bed.
It was ringing.
He answered.
A voice said:
“Congratulations.”
“You found the truth.”
Graham's face hardened.
“Who are you?”
The voice laughed.
“You still don't understand.”
“Your daughter isn't the target.”
“She is the key.”
The call ended.
May you like
Graham turned toward Naomi.
“We need to move.”
