Chapter 8: The Ghost From My Past
Ethan looked older.
That was the first thing I noticed.
Not dramatically different.
Not unrecognizable.
Just older.
The kind of older that came from carrying secrets.
His hair was shorter.
His face sharper.
But his eyes were exactly the same.
The same eyes that once looked at me like I was the only person in the world.
I stepped back.
“No.””
Ethan’s expression tightened.
“Vanessa.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“This isn’t happening.””
My father watched silently.
Almost proudly.
Like he had arranged a performance and was waiting for the final scene.
Marcus’ voice was still in my ear.
“Vanessa, get away from them.””
I held the phone tighter.
Ethan looked at it.
“Marcus?””
I froze.
“How do you know?””
Ethan looked at my father.
Then away.
“I know a lot.””
I felt anger replacing the shock.
“You disappeared.””
His face changed.
“I know.””
“You didn’t call.””
“I know.””
“You let me believe you betrayed me.””
Ethan looked down.
“I didn’t have a choice.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Everyone keeps saying that.””
My father.
Marcus.
My mother.
Everyone had reasons.
Everyone had explanations.
Everyone had secrets.
But I was always the person left standing in the ruins.
“What do you want?””
Ethan looked at me.
“Protect you.””
The words almost made me smile.
“Four years too late.””
My father stepped forward.
“That’s enough.””
I turned.
“No.””
My voice surprised even me.
“You don’t get to control this conversation.””
His eyes narrowed.
“You are emotional.””
“I am angry.””
“That is exactly why you are vulnerable.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“I’m vulnerable because I trusted people who lied to me.””
Nobody spoke.
Because it was true.
Ethan looked at me.
“I never wanted to hurt you.””
“Then why did you leave?””
His jaw tightened.
“Because your father threatened my family.””
I stared.
“What?””
“He knew my younger brother had medical debt.””
My father’s expression remained calm.
“He told me if I didn’t end things with you, he would destroy us.””
I looked at my father.
“You did that?””
He didn’t deny it.
“I protected your future.””
I almost couldn’t believe him.
“You destroyed everyone’s lives and called it protection?””
My father’s face hardened.
“You are too naive to understand what people will do for power.””
“And you’re too cruel to understand what people do for love.””
The words landed.
For the first time, my father looked genuinely angry.
Then Marcus spoke through the phone.
“Vanessa, listen carefully.””
I turned slightly away.
“What?””
“Ethan isn’t the biggest problem.””
My eyes moved back to him.
“What do you mean?””
Marcus paused.
“Ask him why he came back now.””
Everyone went silent.
I looked at Ethan.
“Why are you here?””
Ethan hesitated.
That hesitation told me everything.
“Ethan.””
He took a breath.
“Because Marcus found something.””
My father’s expression changed.
“What?””
Ethan looked at him.
“He found the original agreement.””
The air shifted.
“What agreement?””
Ethan looked at me.
“The one that proves your father controlled everything.””
My father’s assistant stepped forward.
“Mr. Vale—”
My father raised a hand.
Silencing him.
“What did Marcus find?””
Ethan looked nervous.
“A contract.””
“With who?””
“With every person your father used.””
My stomach tightened.
“What does that mean?””
Ethan looked at me.
“It means your father didn’t just manipulate relationships.””
He swallowed.
“He bought them.””
I felt sick.
Daniel looked away.
My father’s face became unreadable.
Marcus’ voice became urgent.
“Vanessa, leave now.””
I looked toward the exit.
My father noticed.
“You’re really going to trust him?””
I stopped.
“Why shouldn’t I?””
My father smiled.
“Because Marcus knows exactly how to make himself look like the victim.””
I frowned.
“What?””
He stepped closer.
“You think he was innocent?””
The question bothered me.
Because there was something in his voice.
Something confident.
“You have no idea what Marcus did before you met him.””
I looked at Marcus’ name on my phone.
Then at my father.
“What are you talking about?””
My father smiled.
“Ask him.””
Silence.
I raised the phone.
“Marcus?””
No answer.
“Marcus?””
Finally, his voice came.
Quiet.
“I knew this day would come.””
My heart dropped.
“What does that mean?””
Another pause.
Then Marcus said:
“Your father is right about one thing.””
I stopped breathing.
May you like
“What?””
“I didn’t tell you everything.””
