Chapter 3
I opened the second folder.
The first page wasn't legal paperwork.
It was a photograph.
Derek.
Linda.
And my father.
Standing together outside a bank.
The date was six months before my wedding.
I stared at the picture.
My father had been dead for five years by then.
At least, that was what I remembered.
I turned the photograph over.
A sentence was written on the back.
He told them I was dead.
My blood ran cold.
I read it again.
Then again.
My phone rang.
Marcus.
“Did you see the photograph?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“What does it mean?”
“It means your father wasn't dead when you married Derek.”
I couldn't speak.
“My father died in 2010.”
“No.”
“I was at the funeral.”
“I know.”
“Then who was in that photograph?”
“Your father.”
“That isn't possible.”
Marcus's voice became quieter.
“Your father didn't die in 2010.”
I felt dizzy.
“He disappeared.”
“What?”
“Your mother told everyone he died.”
“My mother?”
“Yes.”
I sat down in the driver's seat.
“What does my mother have to do with this?”
“Everything.”
I stared at the photograph.
“Why would my parents lie about his death?”
“Because your father discovered what Linda was doing.”
“What was she doing?”
“Taking money.”
“How much?”
Marcus hesitated.
“More than three million dollars.”
I almost laughed.
“From where?”
“The Mercer family company.”
I looked toward the house.
Linda had always talked about the Mercer family business as if it were a private kingdom.
She had always told me Derek would inherit everything.
She had told me I should be grateful to be part of it.
Now I understood why.
“Why did my father care?”
“Because the company wasn't really Linda's.”
“Then whose was it?”
“Yours.”
Silence.
I stared at him.
“My father's shares were placed in a trust.”
“For me?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't I know?”
“Because the trust had a condition.”
“What condition?”
“You had to remain married to Derek until your thirtieth birthday.”
I froze.
“Why?”
“To prevent Linda from gaining control.”
I looked at the date.
I was twenty-nine.
My birthday was four months away.
Marcus continued.
“Your father knew Linda would try to control you through Derek.”
“And Derek?”
“He knew.”
My stomach twisted.
“He knew about the trust?”
“Yes.”
“He married me for money?”
Marcus didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
I looked back at the house.
Suddenly every expensive dinner made sense.
Every comment about family responsibility.
Every time Linda had told me I was lucky.
Every time Derek had reminded me that leaving would mean losing everything.
But there was something I still couldn't understand.
“Why did my father let me marry him?”
“He didn't.”
I went still.
“What?”
“Your father tried to stop the wedding.”
“When?”
“Two days before.”
“How?”
“He sent you a letter.”
“I never got one.”
“I know.”
My heart began pounding.
“Who stopped it?”
May you like
Marcus said one word.
“Derek.”
