Chapter 5: The Woman Behind the Lie
Mark recovered quickly.
He always did.
That was what made him dangerous.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said.
I almost admired the confidence.
Almost.
"Your phone says otherwise.""
He looked down at the screen.
Then back at me.
"Emily, this is ridiculous.""
"Is it?""
"Yes.""
He placed the phone face down.
"Vanessa is a nurse.""
"A nurse?""
"She has helped me with my treatment.""
I stared at him.
"Your treatment.""
"Yes.""
"Interesting.""
His jaw tightened.
"What is that supposed to mean?""
"It means I never knew her name until yesterday.""
A flicker of panic crossed his face.
"You've been spying on me?""
The accusation came so naturally.
Like he had practiced it.
"No.""
"Then how?""
I leaned closer.
"Someone told me.""
The color left his face.
"Who?""
I smiled.
"Why does that matter?""
Because he was afraid.
Not angry.
Not offended.
Afraid.
That was the answer I needed.
Mark wasn't worried about losing me.
He was worried about losing control.
"I think you should leave," he said quietly.
I looked at him.
"Really?""
"You came here accusing me while I'm recovering.""
"Recovering from what?""
His eyes narrowed.
"Enough.""
The word was sharp.
Cold.
For years, that tone had made me stop.
Not anymore.
I picked up my purse.
"Fine.""
He watched me carefully.
As I reached the door, he spoke.
"Emily.""
I turned.
His expression softened.
The old Mark returned.
The husband who knew exactly how to manipulate my emotions.
"Whatever you think you know...""
A pause.
"...you're wrong.""
I looked at him.
"Maybe.""
Then I walked away.
That afternoon, Claire called.
"We found Vanessa.""
I sat up.
"Where?""
"She works at a private medical clinic.""
"With Mark?""
"Not officially.""
"What does that mean?""
"It means she has access to medical records.""
My stomach tightened.
"Mark's records?""
"Possibly.""
I stood.
"Claire.""
"Yes?""
"Do you think he faked being sick?""
There was silence.
"I think we need proof before we accuse anyone.""
"But?""
"But the timeline is suspicious.""
She explained.
Three months before Mark's illness announcement, he had transferred ownership of his business.
Not to himself.
To another company.
A company registered under a different name.
A company connected to Jonathan Reed.
My hand covered my mouth.
"He's been planning this.""
"Emily, there's more.""
"What?""
"The company that received the transfer was created two weeks before Mark became sick.""
I felt sick.
Two weeks.
A fake company.
A fake illness.
A hidden identity.
Everything was connected.
Then Claire said something that changed everything.
"Emily, I found something about Vanessa.""
"What?""
"She isn't his mistress.""
I froze.
"What?""
"At least not in the way you think.""
I sat down slowly.
"Then who is she?""
Claire hesitated.
"His sister.""
The room went silent.
I laughed once.
Not because it was funny.
Because my mind couldn't process it.
"Mark doesn't have a sister.""
"Exactly.""
I stared at the wall.
A new thought appeared.
A terrible one.
If Vanessa wasn't his mistress...
Then who had been the woman on the phone?
And why had she pretended to be one?
Claire continued.
"Emily, I think Vanessa has been helping him hide something.""
"Why would she warn me?""
"I don't know.""
"She told me to check the house.""
"Which means she wants you to find something.""
I looked toward Mark's office.
"She wanted me to discover the truth.""
"Maybe.""
"Or maybe she wanted me to find only part of it.""
Claire became quiet.
"What do you mean?""
I looked at the documents spread across my table.
The hidden box.
The fake identity.
The financial records.
"Someone wanted me to know Mark was lying.""
I swallowed.
"But someone else wanted me to believe that was the whole story.""
That night, I received another message.
Unknown number.
I already knew who it was.
Vanessa.
*You found Jonathan Reed. Good.*
I stared at the screen.
Another message.
*Now find Sarah Reed.*
My heart stopped.
Sarah Reed.
The name meant nothing.
Then another message appeared.
*She was the woman Mark loved before you.*
I felt anger rise.
After everything.
After twenty-nine years.
There was another woman?
Then the final message arrived.
*She was also the reason Jonathan Reed disappeared.*
I stared at the words.
The room felt colder.
I typed back.
*Who are you?*
The reply came instantly.
*Someone who knows what Mark did.*
I looked at the clock.
11:47 p.m.
Then my phone rang.
Not a message.
A call.
Vanessa.
I answered.
"What do you want?""
Her voice was shaking.
"Emily, you need to listen to me.""
"Why should I?""
"Because Mark is coming home tomorrow.""
I frowned.
"He can't. He's still in the hospital.""
"No.""
Her voice dropped.
"He's leaving tonight.""
I stood.
"What?""
"Emily, he knows you've been asking questions.""
My blood ran cold.
"How?""
A pause.
Then Vanessa whispered:
"Because I made one mistake.""
"What mistake?""
"I warned you.""
The call ended.
May you like
And at that exact moment...
The lights in my house went out.
