CHAPTER 20
I left the house that night and drove for hours.
I didn't know where I was going.
I didn't know what I was looking for.
I only knew that I couldn't stay in that house.
I couldn't stay with Mark.
I couldn't stay with someone who was still hiding secrets.
I needed to be alone.
I needed to think.
I needed to figure out what to do.
---
I ended up at a hotel on the other side of town.
I checked in and sat on the bed.
I was exhausted.
I was angry.
I was confused.
I didn't know what to do.
I didn't know who to trust.
I didn't know anything anymore.
---
The next morning, I got a phone call from Detective Miller.
"Lauren," she said, "I have some news."
"What?"
"We found out who Lee was working with."
"Who?"
"A man named Marcus."
"Marcus who?"
"We don't know yet. But we're looking for him."
"Where is he?"
"We think he's in Canada."
"Canada?"
"Yes. He fled after Lee was arrested."
"Why did he flee?"
"Because he knew he was going to be arrested."
"What does he have to do with what happened?"
"We think he's the one who ordered the poisoning."
"Ordered it?"
"Yes. He's the one who wanted Emma dead."
"Why?"
"Revenge."
"Revenge?"
"Yes. He was the one Mark owed money to."
"I thought Lee was the one Mark owed money to."
"Lee was the middleman. Marcus was the one who actually owned the money."
"So Marcus is the one who ordered the poisoning?"
"Yes."
"How did Mark get involved?"
"He was trying to pay off his debt. But he didn't have enough money. So Marcus ordered the poisoning."
"To hurt Mark?"
"Yes."
"Then why didn't he just kill Mark?"
"Because he wanted to make him suffer."
"So he used Emma."
"Yes."
"That's terrible."
"I know."
"What's going to happen now?"
"We're going to extradite Marcus from Canada and bring him back to stand trial."
"Good."
"But there's something else."
"What?"
"Mark knew about Marcus."
"What?"
"Mark knew about Marcus. He knew Marcus ordered the poisoning. He just didn't tell anyone."
"Why didn't he tell anyone?"
"Because he was afraid."
"Afraid of what?"
"Afraid that Marcus would find him and kill him."
"So Mark sacrificed his daughter to save himself?"
"Yes."
I couldn't breathe.
"He sacrificed Emma?"
"Yes."
"To save himself?"
"Yes."
"That's terrible."
"I know."
"I want to see Mark."
"Okay."
---
I went to see Mark.
"Marcus," I said.
"Marcus?"
"Yes. The man who ordered the poisoning."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes, you do."
"No, I don't."
"Mark, you knew about Marcus."
"No, I didn't."
"Yes, you did."
"No, I didn't."
"Mark, Lee told me."
"Lee?"
"Yes. Lee told me everything."
"Lee is a liar."
"No, he's not."
"Yes, he is."
"Mark, tell me the truth."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because if I do, something terrible will happen."
"Something terrible already happened."
"I know."
"So tell me."
"I can't."
"Then I can't help you."
"I know."
"Goodbye, Mark."
I walked out.
---
I didn't know what to do.
I didn't know who to trust.
I didn't know anything anymore.
All I knew was that Mark had betrayed me.
He had lied to me.
He had kept secrets.
And he had sacrificed our daughter to save himself.
I couldn't forgive him.
I couldn't trust him.
I couldn't be with him.
---
I went back to the hotel and sat on the bed.
I thought about everything that had happened.
The lies.
The secrets.
The betrayal.
The almost death of my daughter.
And I realized something.
I had been so focused on finding the truth that I hadn't stopped to think about what I would do when I found it.
And now that I had it, I didn't know what to do with it.
---
I went to see Rachel.
"Mark knew about Marcus," I said.
"I know."
"You knew?"
"Yes."
"And you didn't tell me?"
"I couldn't."
"Why not?"
"Because I was afraid."
"Afraid of what?"
"Afraid that Marcus would kill David."
"David?"
"Yes. Marcus threatened to kill David if anyone told you."
"So you sacrificed your sister to save your son?"
"Yes."
I didn't know what to say.
"Lauren, I'm sorry," she said.
"I know."
"Can you ever forgive me?"
"I don't know."
I walked out.
---
I didn't know what to do.
Everyone I loved had betrayed me.
Mark, Rachel, Mrs. Carter.
They had all lied.
They had all kept secrets.
They had all sacrificed me to save themselves.
I was alone.
---
I went back to the hospital and sat with Emma.
She was asleep.
I watched her chest rise and fall.
She was alive.
She was okay.
She was happy.
I had to protect her.
I had to keep her safe.
---
The next morning, I got a phone call from Mark.
"Lauren," he said, "I need to see you."
"Why?"
"Because I have to tell you the truth."
"What truth?"
"The truth about everything."
"Tell me now."
"I can't. Not over the phone. I need to see you."
"Fine. Meet me at the park."
"Okay."
---
I went to the park and sat on a bench.
Mark arrived a few minutes later.
He sat down beside me.
"Lauren," he said.
"Mark."
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For everything."
"Mark, I already know everything."
"No, you don't."
"Yes, I do."
"No, you don't."
"Then tell me."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because if I do, something terrible will happen."
"Something terrible already happened."
"I know."
"So tell me."
"I can't."
"Then I can't help you."
"I know."
"Goodbye, Mark."
I walked out.
---
I didn't know what to do.
Mark was still hiding secrets.
Rachel was still hiding secrets.
Mrs. Carter was still hiding secrets.
I didn't know who to trust.
I didn't know what to believe.
I was lost.
---
The only thing I knew was that I had to protect Emma.
No matter what.
No matter who I had to sacrifice.
No matter what I had to do.
She was my daughter.
And I would do anything to keep her safe.
---
So I made a decision.
I would find Marcus.
I would find out who he was.
I would find out where he was.
And I would stop him.
No matter what it took.
---
I called Detective Miller.
"I need to find Marcus," I said.
"I'll do what I can."
"Please. I need to stop him."
"I'll find him."
"Thank you."
---
I waited.
I waited for three days.
And then, Detective Miller called.
"I found him," she said.
"Where?"
"In Canada. He's been living in a cabin in British Columbia."
"Can we go see him?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"Tomorrow."
---
I flew to Canada with Detective Miller.
We rented a car and drove for hours through the wilderness.
Finally, we arrived at the cabin.
It was small and run-down, surrounded by trees.
A man was sitting on the porch.
"Marcus?" I said.
"Yes."
"I'm Lauren Carter."
"I know."
"I want to talk to you."
"About what?"
"About my daughter."
"She survived?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"Why did you try to kill her?"
"I was angry."
"Angry about what?"
"Mark stole from me."
"I know."
"Three hundred thousand dollars."
"I know."
"Then you know why I did it."
"I know. But that doesn't make it right."
"I know."
"So why did you do it?"
"Because I was angry."
"Angry enough to kill a child?"
"Yes."
"That's terrible."
"I know."
I stared at him.
"Are you sorry?" I asked.
"No."
"Not even a little bit?"
"Not at all."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't feel remorse."
"Then why are you confessing?"
"Because I'm tired of running."
"Then come with me."
"Where?"
"To the police station."
"Okay."
---
I took Marcus to the police station.
Detective Miller was there.
"Marcus," she said.
"Detective."
"You're under arrest."
"I know."
She handcuffed him and led him away.
---
I went back to the hotel and sat on the bed.
It was over.
Marcus was in jail.
Mark was in therapy.
Rachel was trying to be a better sister.
Mrs. Carter was trying to be a better mother.
Emma was alive.
My family was together.
But everything would never be the same.
---
I went back to Virginia and went home.
Mark was waiting for me.
"Lauren," he said.
"Mark."
"Are you okay?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Can we talk?"
"Yes."
We sat down on the couch.
"Marcus is in jail," I said.
"I know."
"He confessed."
"I know."
"He's not sorry."
"I know."
"He tried to kill our daughter."
"I know."
"I can't forgive him."
"I know."
"Mark, I need time."
"I know."
"This is going to take a long time."
"I know."
"Can we try again?"
"Try again?"
"Try to be a family again."
"I don't know."
"Please. I know I've made mistakes. I know I've lied and cheated and betrayed you. But I love you, Lauren. I love Emma. I want to be a better husband. I want to be a better father."
"Mark, I don't know if I can ever forgive you."
"I know."
"But I can try."
"Thank you."
"I'm not promising anything."
"I know."
"But I'll try."
"Thank you, Lauren."
He pulled me into a hug.
I hugged him back this time.
I was trying.
---
One year later, on Emma's ninth birthday, we had a party.
It was a beautiful spring day, and the yard was full of balloons and decorations.
Emma was running around with her friends, laughing and smiling.
Mark was grilling burgers on the back porch.
Rachel was playing with the children.
Mrs. Carter was sitting in a lawn chair, watching everyone.
I walked over to Mark.
"Hey," I said.
"Hey."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I'm okay."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I'm sure."
"Mark, I want to say something."
"What?"
"I love you."
"I love you too, Lauren."
"I know things aren't perfect."
"I know."
"But I'm grateful we're still together."
"I'm grateful too."
"Can we keep trying?"
"Keep trying?"
"Keep trying to be a family."
"I don't know."
"Please. I know we've made mistakes. I know we've lied and kept secrets and betrayed each other. But I love you, Lauren. I love Emma. I want to be a better husband. I want to be a better father."
"Mark, I don't know if I can ever forgive you."
"I know."
"But I can try."
"Thank you."
"I'm not promising anything."
"I know."
"But I'll try."
"Thank you, Mark."
He pulled me into a hug.
I hugged him back.
And for the first time in a long time, I felt like everything was going to be okay.
---
The party went on for hours.
We ate, we laughed, we played.
And when it was over, I took Emma to bed and tucked her in.
"Mommy," she said, "are you happy?"
"Yes, baby. I'm happy."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, baby. I'm sure."
"Good."
She kissed my cheek and closed her eyes.
I watched her fall asleep.
She was my daughter.
My precious daughter.
The one who had almost died.
The one I had almost lost.
I was grateful she was alive.
Grateful she was healthy.
Grateful she was happy.
---
I walked back downstairs and found Mark in the kitchen.
"Emma's asleep," I said.
"Good."
"Mark, I want to say something."
"What?"
"I love you."
"I love you too, Lauren."
"I know things aren't perfect."
"I know."
"But I'm grateful we're still together."
"I'm grateful too."
"Can we keep trying?"
"Keep trying?"
"Keep trying to be a family."
"I don't know."
"Please. I know I've made mistakes. I know I've lied and kept secrets and betrayed you. But I love you, Lauren. I love Emma. I want to be a better wife. I want to be a better mother."
"Lauren, you're a wonderful wife. You're a wonderful mother."
"Thank you, Mark."
"I don't know if I can ever fully trust you again."
"I know."
"But I can try."
"Thank you."
"Are you going to stop lying to me?"
"Yes."
"Are you going to stop keeping secrets?"
"Yes."
"Are you going to be honest with me?"
"Yes."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"Then I forgive you."
"You forgive me?"
"Yes. I forgive you."
"Thank you, Lauren."
He pulled me into a hug.
I hugged him back.
And for the first time in a long time, everything felt right.
---
But it wouldn't last.
I knew that.
There would be more challenges.
More struggles.
More pain.
But for now, I was happy.
I was content.
I was at peace.
---
And that was all that mattered.
---
THE END
---
But not really.
Because there were still secrets to uncover.
There were still lies to untangle.
There was still the mystery of the smile.
The mystery of why Rachel had smiled when Emma collapsed.
I still didn't know.
I still didn't understand.
I still didn't have all the answers.
But I was okay with that.
I had learned to live with the unanswered questions.
I had learned to live with the uncertainty.
I had learned to trust.
I had learned to forgive.
I had learned to love.
And that was enough.
---
But then, one night, I got a text message from Rachel.
It was just one word.
"Lauren."
I responded.
"Rachel?"
"Can we talk?"
"Sure. What's up?"
"I need to tell you something."
"What?"
"Remember when I smiled?"
"Yes."
"I wasn't relieved."
"What?"
"I wasn't relieved."
"Then what were you?"
"I was happy."
"Happy?"
"Yes. Happy."
"Happy about what?"
"About what I had done."
"Rachel, what are you saying?"
"I poisoned Emma, Lauren. I put the propofol in her drink."
"Rachel, that's not true."
"Yes, it is."
"Rachel, Lee confessed. Marcus confessed."
"I know. But they were lying."
"Lying?"
"Yes. They were covering for me."
"Covering for you?"
"Yes."
"Why would they do that?"
"Because I paid them."
"You paid them?"
"Yes. I paid them to confess."
"Rachel, that's insane."
"I know. But it's the truth."
"Rachel, why?"
"Because I wanted to hurt you."
"Hurt me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I was jealous."
"Jealous of what?"
"Of your perfect life. Your perfect husband. Your perfect daughter."
"Rachel, that's not true."
"Yes, it is."
"Rachel, you have a good life."
"I know. But it's not perfect. It's never been perfect."
"Rachel, everyone has problems."
"I know. But yours were so much better than mine."
"Rachel, that's not true."
"Yes, it is."
"Rachel, I don't believe you."
"Then you don't have to."
"Rachel, tell me the truth."
"I just did."
"No, you didn't."
"Yes, I did."
"Rachel, I don't believe you."
"Then don't."
I hung up.
I didn't believe her.
I couldn't believe her.
I wouldn't believe her.
She was just trying to hurt me.
She was just trying to get attention.
She was just trying to make me feel guilty.
She was just trying to get revenge.
For what, I didn't know.
But I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction.
I wasn't going to let her win.
I wasn't going to let her destroy me.
I was going to keep fighting.
For Emma.
For Mark.
For my family.
And I was going to win.
---
But I was wrong.
Because there was still one more secret to uncover.
One more lie to untangle.
One more betrayal to face.
One more truth to discover.
May you like
And it would change everything.
---
