Chapter 6: The Brother I Lost
I drove home faster than I ever had before.
Every red light felt like an insult.
Every second felt like a chance for something else to disappear.
My brother.
Daniel.
The name alone brought back memories I had spent years burying.
Five years ago, we were inseparable.
People used to joke that we were twins even though we were two years apart.
Same smile.
Same stubbornness.
Same habit of finishing each other’s sentences.
Until one night changed everything.
A business deal.
A misunderstanding.
A betrayal.
At least, that was what I believed.
When I pulled into the driveway, I saw Tasha standing outside.
Her face was pale.
She ran toward me.
“Marcus.””
“Where is he?””
She looked toward the house.
“Gone.””
I stopped.
“Gone?””
“He was here when I arrived.””
“When did you see him?””
“About twenty minutes ago.””
“Why didn’t you call the police?””
Her eyes filled with frustration.
“Because I didn’t know what was happening.””
I looked around.
The front door was unlocked.
That made no sense.
Tasha always locked it.
Always.
I walked inside.
The house felt different.
Not damaged.
Not broken.
Just invaded.
Someone had been there.
I could feel it.
“What did he say?”” I asked.
Tasha followed behind me.
“He said he needed to talk.””
“About what?””
She hesitated.
“About you.””
I turned.
“What does that mean?””
She swallowed.
“He said you were blaming the wrong people.””
I laughed quietly.
“Of course he did.””
I walked into the living room.
On the coffee table was a white envelope.
My name was written on it.
Not printed.
Written.
I picked it up.
Tasha stepped closer.
“Marcus, maybe don’t open it.””
I looked at her.
“Why?””
“Because every time someone gives us a piece of the truth, it comes with another piece of damage.””
She wasn’t wrong.
But I opened it anyway.
Inside was a photograph.
Me.
Daniel.
And our father.
Standing outside our old family business.
On the back, there was a handwritten message.
*You never knew why I left. Ask Dad’s old partner.*
I stared at the words.
My father’s old partner.
The same person connected to Andre.
The same person connected to the house.
The same person who seemed to be sitting at the center of every secret.
“What is this?”” Tasha whispered.
I folded the note.
“I don’t know.””
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
“Hello?””
For a few seconds, nobody spoke.
Then a familiar voice said:
“Marcus.””
My entire body froze.
“Daniel?””
“Yes.””
“Where are you?””
A pause.
Then:
“Somewhere I should have come back from years ago.””
I gripped the phone.
“You broke into my house.””
“I needed you to listen.””
“You could have called.””
“You wouldn’t have answered.””
I wanted to deny it.
But I couldn’t.
Because he was right.
“Why are you doing this?””
His voice softened.
“Because you’re about to lose your family over a lie.””
I looked at Tasha.
She looked terrified.
“What lie?””
Daniel breathed out.
“The one Dad made us believe.””
My jaw tightened.
“Our father is dead.””
“I know.””
“Then what are you talking about?””
A long silence followed.
Then Daniel said:
“Dad didn’t lose the company because of Andre.””
My stomach dropped.
“What?””
“He lost it because someone inside the family betrayed him.””
The room went quiet.
“Who?””
Daniel didn’t answer immediately.
Then he whispered:
“Your wife knows.””
I looked at Tasha.
Her face changed.
Not confusion.
Not surprise.
Recognition.
“Marcus,” Daniel said.
“Ask her what happened the night before your father died.””
The call ended.
I lowered the phone.
Slowly.
Tasha looked at me.
May you like
And for the first time since Christmas morning…
I wondered if I had been asking the wrong questions.