Chapter 6
The address led investigators to an industrial storage complex on the outskirts of Atlanta.
I wasn't allowed to go with them.
Detective Jackson explained that the situation could become dangerous.
I understood.
But sitting in my apartment while strangers searched for the woman I loved felt unbearable.
I paced the living room.
Checked my phone.
Stared at the engagement photograph.
Then paced again.
Danielle stayed with me.
Lily was asleep in the guest room.
For the first time, I was grateful my sister had refused to leave.
"Marcus," she said, "sit down."
"I can't."
"You haven't eaten."
"I'm not hungry."
She stood and blocked my path.
"You're not helping Nia by making yourself sick."
I looked at her.
My eyes filled with tears.
"What if they're too late?"
Danielle's expression softened.
She wrapped her arms around me.
"Then we'll face whatever happens together."
I began crying.
For thirty-two years, I had believed I needed to be strong for everyone.
Our mother.
My siblings.
My employees.
Nia.
Now I couldn't even stand in my own living room without trembling.
Danielle held me.
"You don't have to carry this alone."
I nodded against her shoulder.
Then my phone rang.
Detective Jackson.
I answered immediately.
"Did you find her?"
There was a pause.
"We located evidence that Nia may have been held at the facility."
My stomach tightened.
"May have?"
"The unit was empty when officers entered."
I closed my eyes.
"No."
"But we recovered several items."
"What items?"
"A handbag, clothing, and a phone."
My heart raced.
"Her phone?"
"We're examining it."
I sat down heavily.
Another empty place.
Another trail leading nowhere.
Detective Jackson continued.
"Marcus, we also found something concerning."
I gripped the phone.
"What?"
"Documents connected to a planned transfer of Whitmore Heritage Holdings."
I stared at the wall.
"The inheritance."
"Yes."
She explained that investigators found prepared paperwork bearing Nia's name.
Some documents appeared to have been signed.
Others remained incomplete.
The signatures were being examined.
I felt sick.
"Did they force her to sign?"
"We're investigating that possibility."
I pressed my hands against my eyes.
Then the detective said, "There was one other item."
I looked up.
"What?"
"A photograph of you and Daniel."
My heart stopped.
It had been taken at my bachelor dinner.
Daniel stood beside me, laughing.
I remembered that moment.
He had raised his glass and toasted my future with Nia.
The detective continued.
"On the back, someone wrote a payment amount."
I swallowed.
"How much?"
"Two hundred thousand dollars."
I couldn't breathe.
Two hundred thousand.
The price someone had apparently offered my brother for helping manipulate my wedding.
I stared at the photograph on my wall.
Daniel and I as children.
Our arms around each other.
Smiling at our mother.
I wondered what he would have thought of the man he had become.
Detective Jackson told me they were still investigating whether the amount had actually been paid.
I barely heard her.
My brother had admitted helping Victor.
But he claimed he didn't know about the kidnapping.
Could that be true?
I wanted to believe it.
Then I remembered Nia's terrified voice.
"Please don't sign anything."
I knew I couldn't let my love for Daniel erase what he had done.
The following morning, Evelyn Brooks came to see me.
She looked exhausted.
Her wrists were still bruised from the restraints.
But she was determined.
"I remembered something," she said.
I leaned forward.
"What?"
"Before they tied me behind the flower wall, I heard Rochelle arguing with Victor."
My heart jumped.
"About what?"
"She said the plan was falling apart."
"Why?"
Evelyn closed her eyes.
"Because Nia refused to cooperate."
I felt a surge of pride and fear.
"Did she say where Nia was?"
Evelyn shook her head.
"But she mentioned a place called Willow Creek."
I frowned.
"Willow Creek?"
"Yes."
I grabbed my phone.
There were several businesses and roads with that name.
I showed Evelyn the results.
She pointed toward one.
"Willow Creek Retreat."
I stared at the screen.
It was a private lakeside property two hours north of Atlanta.
The listing showed several cabins and a large main lodge.
I contacted Detective Jackson immediately.
She listened carefully.
Then asked Evelyn to provide a formal statement.
Investigators began checking the property.
An hour later, the detective called back.
"The retreat was rented last week."
My heart pounded.
"By whom?"
"A company connected to Victor Hale."
I stood.
"She's there."
"Marcus, we haven't confirmed that."
"But it fits."
"We're checking."
I knew she was right to be cautious.
But hope had finally returned.
That afternoon, Daniel contacted Danielle.
He wanted to speak with me.
She refused at first.
But he insisted he had information.
I told her to let him leave a message through Detective Jackson.
An hour later, the detective called.
"Daniel says he knows something about the retreat."
My stomach tightened.
"What?"
"He claims Victor planned to move Nia there after the wedding."
I closed my eyes.
"Did he know she was kidnapped?"
"He says he learned about it afterward."
I felt sick.
"Why didn't he tell anyone?"
The detective paused.
"He says Victor threatened him."
I stared at the floor.
Threatened.
Manipulated.
Afraid.
Every person involved seemed to have an excuse.
But Nia was still missing.
And excuses wouldn't bring her home.
The detective continued.
"Daniel is cooperating with investigators now."
I took a breath.
"Good."
Then she said something unexpected.
"He's also provided a possible access code for one of the retreat buildings."
My heart raced.
"How did he get that?"
"Victor gave it to him when discussing the property."
I stood.
"Then please hurry."
"We're taking appropriate steps."
After the call, I sat beside Nia's photograph.
I stared at her smiling face.
"Hold on, baby."
My voice broke.
"Please hold on."
That evening, Lily came into the living room holding a small stuffed rabbit.
She placed it beside Nia's photograph.
I looked at her.
"What's this?"
"It's for Aunt Nia."
I swallowed.
"Why?"
"So she'll know we're waiting."
I pulled Lily into my arms.
"That's beautiful."
She hugged me tightly.
Then she whispered, "When she comes home, can we have another wedding?"
My heart shattered.
I looked toward the photograph.
The original wedding had been destroyed.
The flowers were gone.
The guests had scattered.
The woman at the altar had been a stranger.
But Lily was asking about something more important than a ceremony.
She wanted our family back.
I kissed her forehead.
"Yes, sweetheart."
She smiled.
"A real one?"
I nodded.
"A real one."
Then my phone rang.
Detective Jackson.
I answered so quickly that I nearly dropped it.
"Marcus?"
"Yes?"
Her voice was urgent.
"We're at Willow Creek."
My heart stopped.
"Did you find her?"
There was a pause.
Then I heard shouting in the background.
The detective spoke again.
"Marcus, we found Nia."
I couldn't breathe.
"Is she alive?"
"Yes."
My knees buckled.
I collapsed onto the sofa.
Danielle rushed toward me.
Tears streamed down my face.
Detective Jackson continued.
"She's conscious. Medical personnel are evaluating her."
I covered my mouth.
Alive.
Nia was alive.
Then the detective's tone changed.
"Marcus, there's something you need to know."
I gripped the phone.
"What?"
"Nia says Victor wasn't the person who ordered the kidnapping."
I froze.
"What?"
The detective took a breath.
"She says Celeste was."
May you like
And suddenly, the woman who had stood at my altar pretending to be Nia wasn't simply a frightened accomplice.
She might have been the person who planned everything.
