Chapter 5 - VanessaVanessa called at midnight.
Marcus answered.
Her voice was calm.
“Come alone.”
“Where?”
“Your father's old office.”
“You have my mother.”
“She is alive.”
Marcus looked at Eleanor.
She shook her head.
“Let her go.”
“I will.”
“When?”
“When you bring the ledger.”
Marcus said nothing.
Vanessa laughed.
“You always were your father's son.”
The call ended.
Marcus looked at me.
“You stay here.”
“No.”
“This isn't your fight.”
I shook my head.
“My daughter is involved.”
He stared at me.
“You're right.”
We left together.
The old office was across the estate.
Dust covered everything.
Vanessa stood by the window.
She wore the cream coat from the security footage.
“You came.”
Marcus stepped forward.
“Where is my mother?”
“Safe.”
“Where is my father?”
She smiled.
“You're asking the wrong question.”
“Then tell me the right one.”
“Why did he leave you?”
Marcus froze.
Vanessa continued.
“He didn't die.”
“He abandoned you.”
Marcus clenched his fists.
“Where is he?”
“Closer than you think.”
A door opened.
Richard Cole stepped into the room.
Alive.
Older.
But unmistakable.
Marcus stared at his father.
Richard smiled.
“Hello, son.”
Marcus didn't move.
“You're alive.”
“Yes.”
“For eleven years.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Richard looked toward the window.
“Because I had to disappear.”
“From whom?”
“Everyone.”
Marcus laughed bitterly.
“You let me bury you.”
“I had no choice.”
“You let Mom grieve.”
Richard looked at Eleanor's empty chair.
“I know.”
Marcus stepped closer.
“You ruined my life.”
Richard's face changed.
“I protected it.”
“No.”
Marcus shook his head.
“You protected yourself.”
Richard looked at me.
Then Lily.
His expression softened.
“That's your daughter?”
“Yes.”
Richard stared.
“She looks like you.”
Lily hid behind me.
Richard smiled.
“I don't blame her.”
Then another voice came from the hallway.
“Neither do I.”
Daniel Cole entered.
Marcus's uncle.
Alive.
Richard turned.
“Daniel.”
May you like
Daniel raised a gun.
“It's over.”
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