Chapter 5
The next morning, I woke in my apartment with my wedding dress hanging beside the bedroom door.
I stared at it for a long time.
Twenty-four hours earlier, I had imagined myself married.
Now the ceremony was postponed.
My fiancé had discovered that his daughter was alive and living nearby.
His mother had admitted lying.
His aunt had threatened us.
And there were serious questions about the death of a woman I'd never met.
I sat on the edge of my bed.
Then I began crying.
Not because I regretted inviting Lily.
I didn't.
I cried because everything I thought I knew about Marcus's family had changed.
My phone vibrated.
Marcus.
I answered.
"Good morning."
His voice sounded tired.
"Nia."
"Are you okay?"
He gave a bitter laugh.
"I don't know."
I closed my eyes.
"How's Lily?"
"She's with Mom."
I swallowed.
"Are you comfortable with that?"
He hesitated.
"No."
I appreciated his honesty.
He continued.
"But she has legal guardianship, and Lily feels safe with her."
I nodded.
"That's important."
"I've spoken with an attorney."
I sat straighter.
"Good."
"He says we need to review the existing guardianship order before making changes."
I felt relief.
Marcus was taking action.
Not just making promises.
Then he whispered, "Nia, I'm sorry."
I closed my eyes.
"For what?"
"For not telling you about my past."
I took a breath.
"Marcus, you didn't tell me Lily existed."
His voice broke.
"I believed I had lost her."
"I know."
"But I should've told you I once had a daughter."
I swallowed.
"Yes."
He was quiet.
Then he asked, "Do you still want to marry me?"
My heart tightened.
I looked toward the wedding dress.
"I don't know."
Silence.
Then he whispered, "I understand."
I began crying again.
"I love you, Marcus."
"I love you too."
"But I need time."
"I know."
After the call, I contacted Denise.
She had agreed to help us find independent counsel for the family and trust issues.
She explained that the custody matter and the financial investigation should be handled separately.
I listened carefully.
Then I asked about Danielle.
Denise said we needed official medical and death records before making assumptions.
I agreed.
I didn't want to accuse anyone without evidence.
But I couldn't forget Evelyn's words.
Someone had been following Danielle.
Two days later, I met Marcus at his attorney's office.
He looked exhausted.
Dark circles surrounded his eyes.
When he saw me, he stood.
"Nia."
I hugged him briefly.
Then we sat down.
His attorney, Jordan Ellis, opened a folder.
He had obtained copies of Lily's birth certificate and guardianship records.
The birth certificate listed Danielle as the mother.
Marcus was named as the father.
I felt my chest tighten.
There it was.
Official proof.
A little girl had been connected to him from the beginning.
Jordan continued.
"The guardianship records show that Danielle's sister, Renee, initially cared for Lily."
I nodded.
"And then Evelyn?"
"Yes. Three years ago, Renee consented to a transfer of guardianship."
Marcus looked surprised.
"Why?"
Jordan consulted his notes.
"Renee was dealing with serious health problems."
I felt sadness.
"Is she alive?"
"Yes. We're trying to contact her."
Marcus leaned forward.
"Can she tell us what happened?"
"Possibly."
I looked at the next document.
It contained a certified copy of Danielle's death certificate.
My stomach tightened.
The listed cause involved complications from her heart condition.
Marcus stared at it.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then he whispered, "So she really died."
I reached for his hand.
He squeezed it.
Tears rolled down his cheeks.
"I never got to say goodbye."
My heart broke.
Jordan waited respectfully.
Then he explained that the available records did not establish foul play.
I nodded.
We needed to be careful.
But something still bothered me.
Danielle had written letters.
She had tried to contact Marcus.
She had apparently discovered financial wrongdoing.
And then communication stopped.
I looked toward Jordan.
"Can we obtain her correspondence?"
He nodded.
"We can ask her sister and review any preserved records."
Marcus wiped his face.
"I want to know everything."
Jordan nodded.
"Then we'll proceed carefully."
That afternoon, Renee called.
Her voice was soft.
She sounded tired.
"Marcus?"
He froze.
"Renee?"
I watched his face.
She took a breath.
"I've been waiting a long time for this conversation."
Marcus began crying.
"Why didn't you tell me about Lily?"
There was silence.
Then Renee whispered:
"Because I was told you didn't want her."
I closed my eyes.
Marcus shook his head.
"That's not true."
Renee began crying.
"I know that now."
He covered his face.
For several minutes, they spoke through tears.
Then Renee told us something unexpected.
Danielle had been trying to resolve the custody confusion before her death.
She had saved emails.
Letters.
Medical records.
And copies of financial documents she believed showed misconduct.
Renee had kept everything.
I looked at Marcus.
His expression changed.
"Can we see them?"
Renee hesitated.
"Yes."
Then she added:
"But there's something you need to understand."
My stomach tightened.
"What?"
Renee took a breath.
"Danielle wasn't trying to destroy your family."
Marcus closed his eyes.
"I know."
"She was trying to protect Lily."
I felt tears rise.
Renee continued.
"She knew someone had forged your signature."
Marcus went still.
"How?"
"Because she spoke with you before the separation."
I stared at him.
He looked confused.
Renee continued.
"Marcus, Danielle called you from the hospital."
He shook his head.
"I never received that call."
Renee paused.
Then whispered:
"Someone answered your phone."
My stomach tightened.
"Who?"
Renee's voice broke.
"Patricia."
And suddenly, the pieces began fitting together.
The intercepted letters.
The forged agreement.
The threats.
The missing money.
May you like
Someone had controlled every path between Danielle and Marcus.
And that person had been standing in our wedding chapel wearing an expensive smile.
