Chapter 4
I stared at my husband while Rachel Price's words echoed through the phone.
Something that could put Marcus in prison.
My stomach twisted.
"What are you talking about?"
Rachel hesitated.
"Nia, I can't explain everything over the phone."
"Then explain what you can."
She took a breath.
"Elijah found financial records linking Marcus's company to Victor Harlan's investment network."
I looked at Marcus.
He frowned.
"What's happening?"
I put the call on speaker.
Rachel repeated herself.
Marcus went completely still.
"That's impossible."
Rachel asked, "Mr. Bennett?"
"Yes."
"Have you ever done business with Harlan Capital?"
Marcus shook his head.
"No."
"Have you signed investment agreements through a company called Sterling Meridian?"
His expression changed.
"Sterling Meridian?"
My heart dropped.
"You know it?"
Marcus stared at the wall.
"Yes."
I felt sick.
Rachel continued.
"Mr. Bennett, what is your connection?"
Marcus took a breath.
"Three years ago, my company accepted financing through a private investment group."
I stared at him.
"What financing?"
He looked at me.
"For the expansion."
My stomach tightened.
Marcus owned a commercial real estate development company.
Three years earlier, he'd opened a second office.
Hired more employees.
Purchased several properties.
He told me the expansion was funded through investors.
But I hadn't asked many questions.
Because I trusted him.
And because he'd always handled his own business.
Now I wondered whether our marriage had been full of secrets on both sides.
"How much financing?" Rachel asked.
Marcus swallowed.
"Two million dollars."
I stopped breathing.
Rachel remained silent.
Then she asked, "Who introduced you to Sterling Meridian?"
Marcus rubbed his face.
"A business consultant."
"Name?"
He hesitated.
"Damian Harlan."
I felt the room tilt.
"Damian?"
Marcus looked at me.
"Yes."
"The same Damian dating Tasha?"
He shook his head.
"I didn't know his last name was connected to Victor."
Rachel's voice sharpened.
"Nia, listen carefully. That financing may have been funded through accounts connected to Victor's fraudulent investment operation."
Marcus stood.
"Absolutely not."
Rachel remained calm.
"We're not accusing you of knowingly doing anything wrong."
"Then why would Elijah think I could go to prison?"
"Because the records contain documents bearing your signature."
Marcus froze.
I looked at him.
"What documents?"
Rachel hesitated.
"Statements suggesting you authorized transfers involving investor funds."
Marcus shook his head.
"I never did that."
Rachel sighed.
"That's why Elijah is coming."
I felt cold.
Victor had reached into every part of our lives.
My account.
Tasha's relationship.
Marcus's company.
And now documents were appearing that could destroy my husband.
"Rachel," I whispered, "is Elijah safe?"
She hesitated.
"He's traveling with someone he trusts."
My chest tightened.
"Who?"
"An investigator who has been helping him gather evidence."
I closed my eyes.
For four years, I'd imagined my brother alone.
Hiding.
Frightened.
Unable to live normally.
Now he was risking everything to help us.
"Tell him I love him," I whispered.
Rachel's voice softened.
"I will."
Then she added, "And Nia?"
"Yes?"
"Don't sign anything. Neither of you."
I looked at the divorce papers on the dresser.
Rachel continued.
"Get independent legal counsel immediately. Preserve every document and message."
I nodded.
"We will."
After the call ended, Marcus sat beside me.
For a long time, neither of us spoke.
Then he whispered, "I think I've been set up."
I looked at him.
"I think we both have."
He stared at his hands.
"How could I have been so stupid?"
I moved closer.
"You trusted someone who presented himself as a legitimate consultant."
Marcus looked up.
"And you trusted Tasha."
I nodded.
"Yes."
He took a breath.
"We both made mistakes."
I looked at him.
"Mine was keeping you in the dark."
He didn't disagree.
Then he said something unexpected.
"I shouldn't have humiliated you at the restaurant."
My eyes filled.
"Marcus..."
He shook his head.
"I was furious. I thought you'd stolen from me."
He looked down.
"But I wanted to hurt you the way I thought you'd hurt me."
I felt tears rolling down my face.
He continued.
"That wasn't right."
For the first time since the restaurant, I saw the man I'd married.
Not the cold stranger holding divorce papers.
The man who used to make me coffee every morning.
Who held my hand during thunderstorms.
Who once drove three hours because I mentioned craving a particular dessert.
"I hurt you too," I whispered.
He nodded.
"I know."
We sat in silence.
Then he took my hand.
"I don't know what happens to us after this."
My heart tightened.
"But I know we need to get through it safely."
I squeezed his fingers.
"Together?"
He hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Together."
The next morning, we met with attorney Olivia Grant.
She specialized in financial fraud and complex business disputes.
Marcus brought every contract connected to Sterling Meridian.
I brought the bank statements and records from my private account.
Olivia spread everything across a conference table.
After an hour, she looked concerned.
"These documents contain several inconsistencies."
Marcus leaned forward.
"What kind?"
"Different versions of the same agreements. Conflicting approval dates. Transfers that don't match the original financing terms."
I swallowed.
"Does that mean they're forged?"
"It raises that possibility."
She continued examining the records.
Then she stopped.
"Interesting."
Marcus frowned.
"What?"
She pointed toward an electronic authorization.
"This approval occurred while your business account was under a different access system."
Marcus leaned closer.
"That's right."
Olivia looked up.
"Someone may have used copied credentials or falsified records."
My heart raced.
"Can we prove it?"
"We'll need digital forensic analysis."
She placed the documents aside.
"Meanwhile, I recommend protecting your accounts, notifying the relevant banks, and cooperating with investigators through counsel."
Marcus nodded.
"Do it."
After the meeting, we returned home.
Tasha was waiting outside.
She stood near the driveway wearing jeans and an oversized sweater.
Her eyes were swollen.
Marcus immediately stiffened.
"What is she doing here?"
I took a breath.
"I don't know."
Tasha approached slowly.
"Nia, please."
I stopped several feet away.
"What?"
She looked at Marcus.
"I'm sorry."
He didn't answer.
Tasha turned toward me.
"Damian disappeared."
My stomach dropped.
"What?"
"I went to his apartment. It's empty."
Marcus frowned.
"When?"
"This morning."
Tasha began crying.
"His number doesn't work."
I crossed my arms.
"Did you tell the detective?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
Then she reached into her bag.
"I found something."
She handed me a small envelope.
My name was written across the front.
I recognized the handwriting.
Damian's.
I opened it carefully.
Inside was a photograph of me and Marcus leaving Olivia's office.
Taken that morning.
My blood ran cold.
There was also a note.
Stop digging.
Or your husband becomes the next headline.
Marcus read it.
His expression hardened.
Tasha was crying.
"I didn't know they were watching you."
I stared at her.
"Why was this at your apartment?"
She swallowed.
"Because Damian wanted me to deliver it."
My heart hammered.
Marcus took out his phone.
He contacted Olivia immediately.
She instructed us to preserve the envelope and inform the police.
But before we could leave, Tasha grabbed my arm.
"Nia, wait."
I turned.
Her face was white.
"There's something else."
My stomach tightened.
"What?"
She swallowed.
"Damian told me Victor wasn't working alone."
I stared at her.
"Who else?"
Tasha began trembling.
"Someone inside Marcus's company."
I looked toward my husband.
He froze.
Then Tasha whispered a name.
"Caleb."
Marcus's face changed.
Caleb Johnson.
His chief financial officer.
His best friend since high school.
And the man who had access to every account connected to Marcus's business.
I stared at Marcus.
He looked devastated.
Then he whispered, "Not Caleb."
But when his phone rang seconds later, the caller ID made my blood turn cold.
Caleb Johnson.
Marcus answered.
May you like
And Caleb said something that left us both speechless.
"Marcus, don't go back to your office."
