Chapter 2: The Secret He Found
My father had been dead for six years.
But his name still had the power to break me.
I stared at the note for several seconds before touching it.
*Your father called.*
It was impossible.
It had to be a threat.
A cruel joke.
Something designed to scare me.
But Gregory knew too much.
That was what terrified me.
I found him in the kitchen.
He was sitting calmly at the island, drinking coffee like the previous night had never happened.
Like he had not destroyed a table.
Like he had not raised his hand.
Like he had not looked at me with hatred.
“Where did you get that information?”” I asked.
Gregory didn’t look up.
“Good morning to you too.””
“Where?””
He slowly placed his cup down.
“You’re angry.””
“I’m waiting for an answer.””
A small smile appeared.
There it was again.
The mask.
The charming husband.
The man everyone else saw.
“You know,” he said, “most wives would be worried about saving their marriage after an argument.””
“Most husbands don’t threaten their wives after three days.””
His smile disappeared.
“Careful.””
“No.””
I stepped closer.
“You be careful.””
The silence between us was heavy.
Then Gregory laughed.
Not because something was funny.
Because he couldn’t believe I had challenged him.
“You really have no idea who you married.””
I looked at him.
“That’s exactly what I was about to say.””
Gregory stood.
He was taller than me.
Broader.
He had always used that physical presence to make people uncomfortable.
But intimidation only works when someone believes they have something to lose.
I had already lost the version of him I loved.
There was nothing left to fear.
“My father’s records were sealed,” I said.
“Nobody knows about them.””
Gregory walked around the kitchen island.
“Your father wasn’t exactly the man you told me about.””
My stomach tightened.
“What does that mean?””
“It means everyone has secrets.””
I studied his face.
“You investigated me.””
“No.””
“You did.””
He said nothing.
That was my answer.
Before our wedding, Gregory had acted like he barely knew how to use technology.
Now suddenly he knew details about my family history that even some relatives didn’t know.
I walked to the counter and grabbed my coffee.
“You didn’t marry me.””
Gregory frowned.
“What?””
“You married a file.””
His expression hardened.
“You think you’re smarter than everyone?””
“No.””
I looked at him.
“I know I am smarter than the person who thought I wouldn’t notice.””
That anger returned.
Fast.
Violent.
But this time, he controlled it.
That was worse.
Gregory lowered his voice.
“You should really think about who you’re fighting.””
“I’m not fighting.””
I took a sip of coffee.
“I’m watching.””
His eyes narrowed.
“Watching what?””
“To see how far you’re willing to go.””
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then his phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
A strange expression crossed his face.
Fear.
Real fear.
He quickly turned away.
“Who is it?”” I asked.
“No one.””
“That’s interesting.””
He ignored me and answered.
“Hello?””
A pause.
Then Gregory’s face changed.
“Where did you get that?””
I watched him carefully.
His hand tightened around the phone.
“No. You don’t understand. She can’t know about this.””
My heartbeat increased.
She.
Who was she?
Gregory turned and saw me listening.
His expression immediately changed back.
But it was too late.
I had heard enough.
After he ended the call, I asked one question.
“Who were you talking to?””
Gregory stared at me.
Then he smiled.
A cold, empty smile.
“The woman who can destroy your entire life.””
And before I could respond…
he said her name.
May you like
A name I never expected to hear.
My own sister’s.
