Chapter 8 - Marcus’s Secret Son
Marcus called Daniel from a blocked number that night.
“Before you hang up, listen.”
“Where is Samuel?”
“Safe.”
“Your SUV took him.”
“Because Mother’s men were following him.”
Daniel stepped into an empty consultation room.
“You helped place Elena in a coffin.”
Marcus’s voice broke.
“I know.”
“That is not something you erase with an explanation.”
“I thought she was dead.”
“You heard Reeves say she was sedated.”
“I heard him say the dosage would make her appear dead for several hours. Mother told me Elena had already lost the baby and couldn’t survive.”
“You believed her because believing her protected you.”
Marcus went silent.
Elena had been right.
Victoria controlled him through a secret.
Marcus had a six-year-old son named Noah.
Noah’s mother, Sophie, had once worked for the Carter Foundation. Victoria discovered the relationship and forced Marcus to end it. She threatened to ruin Sophie’s life and take Noah through expensive custody litigation.
For years, Marcus secretly sent money while pretending the child did not exist.
When he began moving company funds, Victoria promised to place the money into a trust for Noah.
Instead, she used Marcus’s accounts to hide her theft.
“She told me if I turned against her, Noah would disappear,” Marcus said.
“Where is he now?”
“With Sophie. Protected.”
“Where is Samuel?”
“A cabin outside the city.”
“Send the address to Detective Brooks.”
“No.”
Daniel’s voice sharpened.
“You don’t get to negotiate.”
“Mother has someone inside the department. Every time Brooks moves, Mother knows.”
Daniel thought about the fake nurse entering the hospital.
Victoria had known Elena’s room number despite police protection.
“What do you want?”
“I’ll bring Samuel directly to the federal building tomorrow morning.”
“And then?”
“I confess.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
Marcus finally understood that there was no way back.
“Why didn’t you open the coffin?”
Marcus cried quietly.
“I was afraid if Elena moved, Mother would make Reeves inject her again.”
“So you stood there.”
“Yes.”
Daniel’s anger did not disappear.
But it changed.
Marcus had committed unforgivable acts.
He had also spent his life under the control of the same woman who destroyed their father.
“You will answer for what you did,” Daniel said.
“I know.”
“And you will tell Elena yourself.”
“I know.”
Before ending the call, Marcus added one warning.
“Mother has the original toxicology report from Dad’s death.”
“Why would she keep it?”
“Because it isn’t only evidence against her.”
“What else is on it?”
“Your name.”
The report claimed Daniel had supplied the sedative that killed his father.
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Victoria had prepared to frame him years before Elena ever entered the family.
👉 By morning, Daniel was no longer only protecting his wife—he was fighting to keep Victoria from blaming him for his father’s murder.
