Chapter 8: The Person We Never Suspected
Nobody moved.
Nobody even breathed normally.
The photograph sat on the table between us.
A piece of paper.
A frozen moment.
A betrayal.
Thomas.
The man who attended my wedding.
The man who held my son after he was born.
The man I trusted with my money.
My business.
My future.
“I don’t understand,” Camille whispered.
Neither did I.
I picked up the photo.
“Where did you get this?””
Andre looked at me.
“The police never saw it.””
My eyes snapped toward him.
“What?””
“I found it after the accident.””
“Why would you hide evidence?””
His face changed.
“Because I didn’t know who I could trust.””
The words hurt.
Because I realized something.
Everyone had been afraid.
Everyone had been carrying secrets.
And somehow, I was the last person to know.
Jada appeared at the top of the stairs.
She looked tired.
But awake.
“What happened?””
Nobody answered.
She walked down slowly.
“Why does everyone keep stopping when I enter the room?””
I looked at my daughter.
Because she deserved honesty.
Not another locked door.
“Jada.””
She looked at me.
“There are things I need to tell you.””
She gave a small, painful smile.
“I’m starting to notice that’s what everyone says before my life changes.””
That broke something inside me.
I sat down.
“Come here.””
She hesitated.
Then sat across from me.
I placed the photo on the table.
“This is Thomas.””
She looked confused.
“Your old business partner?””
“Yes.””
“What about him?””
I looked at the image.
“He might be connected to the accident.””
Her eyes widened.
“The accident?””
I nodded.
The room became heavy.
“I was trying to get answers before your graduation.””
She looked at me.
“And that’s why you crashed?””
“Yes.””
For the first time, I saw her expression change.
Not forgiveness.
Not yet.
But understanding.
“I thought you just didn’t come.””
My chest tightened.
“I know.””
She looked down.
“I spent the whole day thinking I wasn’t important enough.””
The words hurt more than any accusation.
“Jada…”
“But you were fighting something?””
“I was.””
She nodded slowly.
Then looked at the photo.
“Who is he?””
“Someone I trusted.””
She stared at it.
“Like everyone else?””
I had no answer.
Later that afternoon, I went to Thomas’s office.
I didn’t tell Camille.
I didn’t tell Andre.
I didn’t tell anyone.
Because I needed to see his face.
I needed to know if guilt looked different from innocence.
Thomas was sitting behind his desk when I entered.
He looked surprised.
“Marcus?””
I closed the door.
“Hello, Thomas.””
He stood.
“What happened?””
I placed the photo on his desk.
His face changed.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
Fear.
“What is this?””
I leaned forward.
“You tell me.””
He picked it up.
His hands shook slightly.
“I don’t understand.””
“Really?””
“Yes.””
“You were near my car that morning.””
His eyes widened.
“No.””
“No?””
“I wasn’t.””
“Then why are you in the picture?””
He stared.
Then slowly sat down.
“Who gave you this?””
“That doesn’t matter.””
“It matters.””
“Why?””
“Because whoever gave you that is lying.””
I laughed.
“Everyone keeps saying that.””
Thomas looked at me.
“Marcus, listen to me.””
“No.””
I stepped closer.
“You listen.””
My voice lowered.
“My daughter thought I abandoned her.””
Thomas looked confused.
“What?””
“Because I missed her graduation.””
He looked away.
Something about his reaction bothered me.
Not guilt.
Something else.
Regret.
“You need to understand something.””
“What?””
Thomas swallowed.
“I didn’t make you crash.””
“Then who did?””
He didn’t answer.
I waited.
Finally, he whispered:
“Your father.””
I froze.
“My father is dead.””
Thomas looked at me.
“I know.””
“Then what are you talking about?””
He reached into his desk drawer.
Pulled out an old envelope.
And placed it in front of me.
“This was found in your father’s belongings after he passed.””
I stared at it.
“My father’s?””
Thomas nodded.
“Your father knew Derrick wasn’t the one who betrayed you.””
I touched the envelope.
“What does this have to do with my accident?””
Thomas looked terrified.
“Because the person who wanted you silent…”
He paused.
“…was someone who had access to your entire family.””
I opened the envelope.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
May you like
The first line made my heart stop.
“Marcus, if you are reading this, I failed to protect you.””