♣ CHAPTER 17 ♣
The next day,Kate sat by her office window, staring out as the morning sun hit the glass buildings across the street. Her coffee had gone cold.
Her mind was still racing from the night before. William's words lingered in her ears.
The way he looked at her, like he cared but refused to admit it, like he was fighting something inside him.
She shook the thoughts away and turned to the file in front of her. It was time to stop getting distracted. Her father's company needed her. She was finally in control.
A knock came at the door. Kate lifted her head. "Come in."
The door opened and Tina walked in, holding two takeout bags and wearing a wide grin.
"Tell me you haven't eaten," Tina said.
Kate smiled for the first time that morning. "You're a lifesaver."
Tina dropped the food on the desk. "I figured. You probably buried yourself in work again."
"I'm trying to fix years of damage, Tina. My uncle didn't even tell me half of what's been going on."
Tina handed her a pack of Hamburger and opened hers. "Then burn the old rules. Start new ones."
Kate took the food, shaking her head. "You make it sound so simple."
Tina grinned. "It is. You're the boss now."
They ate quietly for a moment. Then Tina leaned forward. "I met someone."
Kate's eyes lit up. "You did?"
"Mm-hmm. His name's Raymond. He's Tall, cute, rich, and respectful. Like, real respectful."
Kate gasped. "You? Falling for a gentleman? I thought you liked bad boys."
"I've grown up," Tina said with a wink. "Besides, Raymond feels different. I'm thinking of introducing you two soon."
"I want full details," Kate teased. "When? Where? Is he single? Does he have brothers?"
They both laughed.
Tina leaned back. "But for real, I'm happy you're stepping in here. Your parents would be proud."
Kate's smile faded a little. "I wish they were still here."
"I know," Tina said gently. "But maybe, just maybe, you'll find out what really happened. The truth always shows up."
Kate looked at her. "What do you mean?"
Tina shrugged. "Just saying. Secrets don't stay hidden forever."
Kate frowned but said nothing.
Hours later, the day ended. Kate packed her things, and locked her office, and walked to the parking lot. The building was quiet, the air was calm. Her heels echoed on the concrete floor.
As she reached her car, a voice came from the shadows.
"You shouldn't trust everyone around you."
She turned abruptly. A man stepped forward, half his face was covered by a hood. He wasn't familiar. His voice was rough, almost like a warning carried by the wind.
"Who are you?" Kate asked, her heart racing.
"That's not important. But what is… is the truth."
She took a cautious step back. "What truth?"
"Your parents," he said slowly. "Their death wasn't what it seemed."
Kate froze. "What?"
"They were silenced," he whispered. "Because they found out something they weren't supposed to."
Her voice shook. "You're lying."
"Ask your uncle," the man said. "But be careful. He's not who you think he is."
Kate opened her mouth, but the man had already turned and disappeared into the shadows, fast, like he was never there.
She stood still for a long time, her chest rising and falling.
She suddenly wasn't sure what was real anymore.
Kate drove in silence, her fingers wrapped tight around the wheel. Her heart hadn't stopped racing since the stranger whispered those words.
"They were silenced... ask your uncle... be careful. "
It felt like a shadow had followed her into the car, into her thoughts, and now it was clawing at her chest.
Her phone rang. She flinched. The name "William" flashed across the screen.
She hesitated, then answered. "What?"
"That's a nice tone," he said dryly. "Where are you?"
"Heading home," she muttered.
"You're late."
"I wasn't aware I had a curfew."
There was a long pause and his voice dropped lower. "I'm not in the mood for sarcasm, Kate."
"Well, I'm not in the mood for being followed by strangers in dark parking lots," she snapped.
William paused. "What did you just say?"
"Nothing. Forget it."
"Kate."
"I said forget it!" she shouted.
"Pull over," William ordered.
"What?"
"I said pull over. Now."
Kate sighed but obeyed. She parked by the roadside and pressed the phone to her ear.
"Talk," he said.
She swallowed. "Some man... he said my parents' death wasn't an accident."
There was silence.
"And you believed him?"
"I didn't say that. I'm just... I don't know what to believe anymore."
"What exactly did he say?"
Kate repeated the words carefully, her voice shaky. William stayed quiet the whole time.
When she finished, he said, "Describe him."
"I couldn't see his face. He wore a hoodie. He disappeared like smoke."
William cursed under his breath. "Did he touch you?"
"No."
"Did he follow you?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm not stupid, William."
"You're not safe."
"I never was," she murmured. "Not in this marriage. Not in my company. Not even in my past."
"Kate."
She shook her head. "Why didn't you tell me there were questions about my parents' death?"
"I didn't know," he said quickly.
"You always know things," she said bitterly. "You knew about my uncle hiding company records. You knew about fake investors. But you didn't know this?"
"I didn't."
"Then maybe you're just good at choosing what you care about."
His voice dropped again. "That's not fair."
"Neither is this life, but we're both living it."
There was Another silence. Then William spoke, lower this time.
"I'll find out who he is."
"No," Kate said. "I'll find out."
"Kate."
"I'm not a child. Stop treating me like one."
"I'm not treating you like a child. I'm trying to keep you alive."
"I didn't ask you to."
"You're my wife," he snapped.
"And what does that mean to you?" she demanded. "That you own me? That you control me? Or does it only matter when I'm in danger?"
"It means I don't want to bury you next."
Kate's breath caught.
William exhaled slowly. "Go home. Lock the doors. I'll send security."
"I don't want—"
"You don't have a choice."
She stayed quiet.
He added, "This isn't just about you anymore. If someone's trying to send messages, they won't stop."
"Do you think my uncle knows something?"
"I think your uncle's hiding a lot more than you think."
Kate bit her lip. "Then I'll confront him."
"Not alone."
"Yes, alone."
"Kate—"
"Goodnight, William."
She hung up.
—
Back at home, Kate dropped her keys on the kitchen counter and sank onto the couch. Her heart still hadn't slowed down.
She stared at the ceiling. Everything felt like a storm building—her parents' deaths, her uncle's secrets, the company's issues, and now a stranger warning her in the dark.
Her phone buzzed again. A message from Tina.
|Had a great time today. Be careful. Call me if you need anything.|
Kate smiled faintly. At least Tina still felt like a real friend in all this madness.
Then another message popped up.
Unknown Number: |The truth is closer than you think.|
Her blood turned cold.
She threw the phone on the couch and stood, breathing heavily.
Then her phone rang again.
Her uncle's name.
Kate hesitated. Then answered. "Uncle Carlos."
"Kate," his deep voice came calmly. "How was work today?"
She forced her voice steady. "Busy. Why are you calling?"
"Can't I check on my niece?"
"Depends. Are you checking on me, or checking what I know?"
There was a pause. "That's a strange question."
"Maybe. But someone approached me tonight. Said my parents didn't die by accident."
There was a long pause followed by a soft chuckle. "People say all kinds of things, Kate. Especially when they want something."
"Like control?" she asked quietly.
Her uncle's tone turned firm. "Don't get lost chasing shadows, Kate. It'll break you."
"No," she whispered. "It'll break you before it breaks me."
She hung up.