Chapter 2 - The Wife Nobody Knew AboutA Marriage With One Missing NameAmara spent the entire drive home staring at her phone.
The message remained on the screen.
Ask Daniel what happened to his first wife.
She tried calling the number.
It was disconnected.
She called again.
Nothing.
By the time she reached the mansion, the sky had darkened.
Daniel was already there.
He sat in the living room, reading a report as though nothing unusual had happened.
Amara walked toward him.
“Who was your first wife?”
Daniel looked up.
For a few seconds, neither spoke.
Then he closed the file.
“Who told you?”
“That isn't an answer.”
“You were told about her.”
“So there was one.”
“Yes.”
Amara's heart tightened.
“What happened to her?”
Daniel looked toward the window.
“She died.”
“When?”
“Five years ago.”
“How?”
“An accident.”
“What kind of accident?”
Daniel's expression became distant.
“A car accident.”
“Did you love her?”
That question seemed to hit him harder than the others.
“Yes.”
Amara looked away.
She didn't know why the answer hurt.
They had only been married because of her father's decision.
There was no love between them.
At least there hadn't been.
Daniel stood.
“She was part of my past.”
“And I'm what?”
He looked at her.
“My present.”
The answer was soft.
Almost too soft.
Amara shook her head.
“You can't keep doing this.”
“Doing what?”
“Keeping secrets.”
Daniel walked closer.
“I have spent years learning that the truth can destroy people faster than lies.”
“Then tell me everything.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because you're not ready.”
Amara laughed bitterly.
“You decide whether I'm ready?”
“Yes.”
She slapped her palm against his chest.
“You don't get to control me.”
Daniel didn't move.
“I know.”
“Then stop treating me like I'm fragile.”
His eyes softened.
“I don't think you're fragile.”
“What do you think?”
Daniel looked at her for a long moment.
“I think you're the first person I've met in years who makes me want to stop protecting myself.”
Amara's anger faltered.
Then the front door opened.
Kevin entered.
Daniel's expression immediately hardened.
Kevin held up a folder.
“I found something.”
Amara turned.
“You again?”
Kevin ignored her.
He looked at Daniel.
“Five years ago, your wife didn't die in an ordinary accident.”
Daniel stood very still.
Kevin smiled.
“She was investigating someone.”
Daniel's jaw tightened.
“Leave.”
Kevin continued.
“She had discovered that a corporation was laundering money through three international banks.”
“Leave.”
“She was going to expose them.”
Daniel stepped forward.
Kevin finally looked nervous.
“You killed her.”
The room went silent.
Amara stared at Daniel.
“What?”
Kevin held up another document.
“The police report was sealed.”
Amara's voice trembled.
“Daniel?”
Daniel didn't answer.
Kevin stepped between them.
“You want to know the truth about your husband?”
He looked directly at Amara.
“His first wife didn't die in an accident.”
Daniel suddenly grabbed Kevin by the collar.
Kevin gasped.
Daniel's voice became dangerously quiet.
“If you say another word, you will regret it.”
Amara froze.
Daniel released him.
Kevin adjusted his jacket.
“That reaction tells her everything.”
He walked to the door.
“Amara, come with me.”
She didn't move.
Kevin smiled sadly.
“Fine.”
He left.
Amara turned toward Daniel.
“Tell me.”
Daniel looked exhausted.
“The report is complicated.”
“Tell me.”
“She discovered something dangerous.”
“What?”
“That someone close to me was betraying my family.”
“Who?”
Daniel's eyes moved toward the door Kevin had just disappeared through.
“I don't know.”
Amara swallowed.
“Was Kevin involved?”
“I don't know.”
“Was my father?”
Daniel didn't answer.
She stared at him.
That silence was worse than anything else.
“My father?”
Daniel finally said:
“Your father knew more about my first wife's death than he ever told you.”
Amara took a step back.
“No.”
“Amara…”
“No.”
“My father could never…”
“He signed documents connected to her investigation.”
She shook her head.
“You're lying.”
“I wish I were.”
Daniel picked up a sealed envelope.
“This was delivered to me three days before I met you.”
Amara opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
A young woman stood beside a car.
On the back was handwritten text.
If I disappear, trust no one in Harrison Holdings.
Amara recognized the woman.
She had seen her photograph before.
In old business magazines.
Daniel's first wife.
Amara turned the photo over.
There was another name written beneath the warning.
Martin Cole.
Her father's chief financial officer.
The man who had told her that morning she no longer owned her father's company.
Amara's phone suddenly rang.
She answered.
A terrified male voice whispered:
“Madam Amara…”
“Who is this?”
“I'm Martin.”
She froze.
“Where are you?”
“I found the records.”
“What records?”
“The ones about Daniel's wife.”
A crash sounded on the other end.
Martin gasped.
“They know I'm talking to you.”
“Who?”
“Your father.”
The line went dead.
Amara slowly lowered the phone.
Daniel looked at her.
“You heard him.”
She nodded.
Then Daniel's phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“What happened?”
A voice spoke urgently.
Daniel's face went cold.
“Lock down every exit.”
Amara stepped closer.
“What is it?”
May you like
Daniel looked at her.
“Martin Cole has been found dead.”
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