Chapter 5: THE WILL THAT KILLED US

I didn't reply to Marcus's message that night.

For the first time in our relationship, I left his words unanswered. The man who had once made my heart race now filled me with a cold anger I struggled to control.

But anger wouldn't protect my father. I needed to be smarter this time.

The following morning, I found him in his study.

“Elena, come in,” he said, looking up from his documents. “I wanted to discuss something important with you.”

I sat opposite him.

“I've been reviewing my will and making arrangements for the future of Hart Group,” he explained. “You're my daughter, and one day, you'll have responsibilities you need to understand.”

My stomach tightened.

The will.

In my previous life, everything had fallen apart after my father's death. His fortune had become a prize, and the people closest to me had fought to take what should have been protected.

I had trusted Marcus to help me understand the business. Instead, I had given him opportunities to learn how to take it from me.

“What does the will say?” I asked.

My father studied me.

“Why the sudden interest?”

“Because I want to understand what you've worked so hard to build. I don't want to be unprepared when the time comes for me to take responsibility.”

His expression softened.

“That's a good attitude. Hart Group isn't just money, Elena. Thousands of people depend on it. You'll need to learn how to protect the company and the people who work for us.”

“I will, Dad.”

He opened a drawer and handed me a folder.

“These are copies of some of the relevant documents. Read them carefully, and we'll discuss any questions you have.”

I accepted the folder.

“Thank you.”

He smiled. “I'm glad you're taking an interest.”

I left his study with the documents pressed against my chest.

For once, I wasn't going to let someone else handle my future. If I wanted to protect my father and his company, I needed to understand both.

Back in my bedroom, I sat at my desk and opened the folder.

The first pages explained Hart Group's structure and my father's plans for its future. I read every line, taking notes whenever I encountered something I didn't understand.

Then I reached the copy of his will.

My fingers slowed as I read through the legal language.

Most of it seemed ordinary. My father had made provisions for his family and outlined how his assets should be handled.

Then I reached the section concerning Hart Group.

I read it once.

Then again.

My heart began to pound.

The document named someone other than me to oversee important decisions involving the company if my father died before certain conditions were met.

I stared at the name.

Marcus Cole.

For several seconds, I couldn't breathe.

Marcus.

The man who had promised to marry me. The man who had watched me struggle in the ocean. The man who had left me to die.

My hands trembled as I read the paragraph again.

My father had trusted him enough to give him a position of influence over Hart Group.

But why?

In this life, Marcus hadn't betrayed me yet. As far as my father knew, he was simply the man I loved and intended to marry.

I forced myself to keep reading, searching for an explanation. The document didn't accuse Marcus of anything. It merely outlined the responsibilities my father had assigned him.

Yet I knew what Marcus would eventually become.

I couldn't blame my father for trusting someone who had fooled me so completely. I had seen the same charming smile, heard the same promises, and believed the same lies.

But I wouldn't allow that mistake to destroy us again.

I closed the folder and stood, my mind racing.

I couldn't simply tell my father that his future son-in-law would betray us. I had no proof, and he would want to know how I could possibly be certain.

I needed to act carefully.

The will had shown me one thing clearly: Marcus already had a path into my family's business.

And if I did nothing, that path could lead him straight to everything my father had built.

I picked up my phone and opened Marcus's message again.

Good morning, sweetheart. I miss you. When can I see you?

I stared at his words, remembering the document bearing his name.

Then I typed a reply.

We need to talk about our future, Marcus.

I pressed send.

My phone rang almost immediately.

His name appeared on the screen.

I answered, forcing my voice to remain calm.

“Elena, sweetheart,” he said warmly. “I was just thinking about you.”

I closed my eyes, remembering the man who had left me to drown.

“Then you'll be happy to hear what I have to say.”

“Of course. What's going on?”

I looked at the folder on my desk.

For the first time, I knew exactly where my revenge had to begin.

“I'm coming to see you,” I said. “And Marcus?”

“Yes, darling?”

I tightened my grip on the phone.

“Don't make any plans for our wedding just yet.”

Silence filled the line.

Then his voice changed.

“Elena, what exactly are you trying to say?”