Chapter 9 - THE UNEXPECTED ALLIANCE
The words hit me like a physical blow.
"Arthur?" I whispered. "That’s impossible. He loved Emily."
"He loved her money more," Marcus said, stepping closer. "Arthur has owed me favors for years. Debts he can never pay back. When Emily died… he came to me. We made a deal. He would help me find what she hid. And I would clear his debts."
I shook my head. "He gave me the adoption papers. He played Emily’s recording."
"All part of the performance," Marcus said. "He needed to know what you knew. Where the evidence was hidden. And you led me right to it. Just like I knew you would."
Vanessa had scrambled to her feet. She stood beside Marcus now, looking at him with wide, terrified eyes.
"You said you would protect me," she whispered.
Marcus didn’t even look at her.
"Get the gun, Vanessa. And take the box from him. Now."
Vanessa hesitated. Then she reached down and picked up the gun. But she didn’t point it at me.
She pointed it at Marcus.
Both men froze.
"Vanessa?" Marcus said, his voice dangerous.
"You lied to me," she said, her voice trembling but firm. "You said Arthur was on my side. You said you would protect me. You said we would share everything."
"We will," Marcus said, holding out a hand. "Put the gun down. This is not your fight."
"It became my fight when you decided to kill Adrian and take Caleb," Vanessa said. "I’ve done terrible things. Things I’m ashamed of. But I won’t let you hurt that child."
Marcus laughed. "You? You locked him in a doghouse. You starved him. You told him nobody loved him. Don’t pretend you have a heart now."
Vanessa flinched. The gun wavered.
"I did those things because you told me to," she said. "Because I was afraid. But Emily was right. You are a monster. And I helped you." She looked at me, tears spilling down her face. "Adrian… I’m sorry. For everything."
Marcus moved faster than I expected. He lunged at Vanessa.
The gun went off again.
Marcus stumbled back, clutching his arm. Blood poured through his fingers.
Vanessa stood there, gun still raised, shaking violently.
"Run, Adrian!" she screamed. "Take the box and run! He has men outside! Go through the cellar!"
I didn’t stop to think. I grabbed the box and ran.
"VANESSA!" Marcus roared.
I heard more gunshots behind me. Then silence.
I didn’t look back. I threw open the cellar door and raced down the stairs, through the dark, damp basement, and out through the old root cellar door that led to the woods behind the house.
I ran until my lungs burned. Until the house was far behind me. Until I collapsed beneath the trees, clutching the iron box to my chest.
Vanessa had saved me.
The woman who had hurt my son. Who had betrayed me. Who had nearly destroyed us all. She had chosen, in the end, to do the right thing.
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I didn’t know if she was alive or dead.
And I didn’t know who I could trust anymore.
