Chapter 3: Lucas’s Secret Plan
The man introduced himself as Daniel Reeves.
Lucas’s closest business advisor.
I had met him twice at company dinners.
He was always quiet.
Always watching.
“You knew?”” I asked.
Daniel was silent.
“Knew what?””
“That my father was going to do this.””
“I suspected.””
I sat on the edge of my bed.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me?””
“Because Lucas wanted you protected, not terrified.””
I looked around the room.
Every object reminded me of my husband.
A photograph.
A book.
His watch sitting on the dresser.
“He knew something was wrong.””
“Yes.””
“How long?””
Daniel sighed.
“Months.””
I felt sick.
“Months?””
“Charles had been trying to get access to company information.””
“Why?””
“Because he believed Lucas’s death would leave everything vulnerable.””
I closed my eyes.
The pain wasn’t only losing Lucas.
It was realizing someone had been waiting for him to disappear.
Daniel continued.
“There’s something else.””
“What?””
“Your father wasn’t acting alone.””
My eyes opened.
“Who?””
“I don’t know yet.””
The next morning, Samantha and I searched Lucas’s office.
The floorboard was underneath his old bookshelf.
Together, we moved it.
Underneath was a small metal box.
Inside were documents.
A flash drive.
And a letter.
I recognized Lucas’s handwriting instantly.
My hands shook.
“Victoria,
If you are reading this, something happened that I hoped would never happen.””
I swallowed.
“Lucas…”
Samantha looked away.
I continued.
“I need you to know one thing. You were never the weakness in my life. You were the reason I fought so hard.””
Tears blurred the page.
“There are people who believe kindness means vulnerability. They are wrong.””
I touched the paper.
Then I read the final lines.
“Trust Samantha. Trust Daniel. And trust yourself.””
I opened the flash drive.
The first file was a video.
Lucas appeared on the screen.
My breath disappeared.
He looked alive.
Healthy.
Smiling.
“Hey, Vic.””
I covered my mouth.
“Lucas…”
His voice filled the room.
“If you’re watching this, I’m sorry.””
I cried silently.
“I wish I was there to explain everything myself.””
He paused.
“I know Charles will come after the things we built.””
My entire body went still.
“But he doesn’t understand something.””
Lucas leaned closer to the camera.
“The most valuable thing I ever owned wasn’t the company.””
He smiled sadly.
“It was you.””
I broke down.
Samantha placed a hand on my shoulder.
The video continued.
“Victoria, Charles believes power comes from money. He doesn’t know what real power looks like.””
The screen went black.
Then another file appeared.
Financial records.
Transfers.
Payments.
My father’s name.
Courtney’s name.
And another name.
I stared.
“Who is that?””
Samantha looked at the screen.
Her face changed.
“No.””
“What?””
“That’s impossible.””
I looked at her.
“Who is it?””
May you like
She whispered:
“Someone who was supposed to be on Lucas’s side.””
