Chapter 8: The Truth My Parents Left Behind
The police were not called.
Daniel refused.
That was the first thing Elise noticed.
Not fear.
Not confusion.
Refusal.
“Why aren’t you calling the police?”” she asked.
Daniel looked at the door.
“Because if they’re involved, the police won’t help.””
Elise stared.
“Who is they?””
Daniel didn’t answer.
The knock came again.
Three times.
Slow.
Patient.
Like whoever stood outside knew they would eventually be let in.
Daniel grabbed a folder.
“Take this.””
Elise looked down.
“What is it?””
“Your parents’ original documents.””
She opened it.
Bank records.
Contracts.
Signatures.
Her father’s name.
Her mother’s name.
And Thomas Voss.
“He forged documents,” Daniel said.
Elise flipped through the pages.
“How did nobody notice?””
“Because he was trusted.””
That word felt familiar.
Trusted.
Everyone who destroyed her life had used that word.
Trust.
Marriage counselor.
Husband.
Sister.
Advisor.
All of them.
Daniel continued.
“Your parents discovered the theft before your father died.””
Elise looked up.
“Wait.””
Her voice shook.
“You said after my father died.””
Daniel nodded.
“That’s what everyone was told.””
“What really happened?””
Daniel hesitated.
Then:
“Your father was preparing to expose Thomas.””
The room went silent.
“My father was killed?””
“I didn’t say that.””
“But you’re thinking it.””
Daniel looked away.
That was enough.
Elise felt cold.
All these years.
She had believed she lost her parents to tragedy.
Now she wondered if she lost them to someone’s greed.
The door handle moved.
Daniel whispered:
“Hide.””
Elise moved behind the office wall.
The door opened.
Thomas walked inside.
Alone.
No panic.
No anger.
Just confidence.
“You should have stopped looking,” Thomas said.
Daniel stood.
“You should have been arrested years ago.””
Thomas smiled.
“That’s a strong accusation.””
“It’s the truth.””
Thomas looked around.
Then his eyes stopped on Elise’s bag.
“You brought her.””
Elise stepped out.
“Yes.””
Thomas sighed.
“I was hoping you would never learn.””
“Learn what?””
He looked at her.
“The truth about your parents.””
She laughed.
“You mean the truth you buried?””
Thomas didn’t react.
“You think Reid was the mastermind?””
Elise froze.
“What?””
Thomas smiled slightly.
“He was only useful.””
The words hit.
“Useful?””
“Yes.””
“Explain.””
Thomas walked closer.
“Your husband had access to you. Your sister had access to your emotions. Vanessa had access to your mind.””
Elise felt sick.
“You used all of them.””
“I guided them.””
The honesty was terrifying.
Thomas continued.
“People are easy to control when you understand what they want.””
Elise stared.
“What did Reid want?””
“Money.””
“Mara?””
“Approval.””
“Vanessa?””
Thomas smiled.
“Redemption.””
Elise’s hands shook.
“And me?””
Thomas looked at her.
“You wanted to be loved.””
The answer hurt because it was true.
That was the cruelest part.
Thomas had not manipulated her because she was weak.
He had manipulated her because she cared.
“Where is Reid now?””
Thomas smiled.
“Leaving.””
“Leaving where?””
“Somewhere he can’t be found.””
Elise looked at Daniel.
Then back at Thomas.
“You’re helping him escape.””
“No.””
Thomas adjusted his coat.
“He’s helping me.””
A phone rang.
Thomas looked down.
Then smiled.
“Elise.””
She didn’t move.
“You should answer that.””
“My phone?””
“Yes.””
She looked down.
The call was from Reid.
Slowly, she answered.
His voice came immediately.
“Elise.””
Her heart tightened.
“Where are you?””
“Somewhere safe.””
“You’re with Thomas.””
Silence.
Then:
“I’m sorry.””
She closed her eyes.
The apology meant nothing.
“You knew.””
“Yes.””
“How long?””
A pause.
“Before we met.””
Elise stopped.
“What?””
Reid’s voice lowered.
“Your parents’ money was the reason I was introduced to you.””
Everything went silent.
The world.
The room.
Her own breathing.
“Who introduced us?””
Reid didn’t answer.
“Who?””
Then he said the name.
And Elise dropped the phone.
Because the person who introduced Reid to her…
May you like
Was the one person she had never questioned.
Her own father.