Chapter 7: The Message Naomi Never Wanted Found
Marcus stared at the screen.
He read the message again.
Then again.
“I’m sorry, Ethan. You left me no choice.””
His hands felt cold.
Not because of the words.
Because of what they meant.
The message had been sent from Naomi’s number.
Three years ago.
The exact night Ethan disappeared.
Slowly, Marcus lowered the phone.
Naomi was watching him.
She already knew.
She knew the moment his expression changed.
“What did you find?””
Marcus didn’t answer immediately.
He didn’t want to accuse her.
Not yet.
But he couldn’t pretend anymore.
“Why is there a message from your number?””
Naomi’s face changed.
Not surprise.
Fear.
“Show me.””
Marcus turned the screen toward her.
The moment she saw it, she stopped breathing.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she whispered:
“No.””
Marcus looked at her.
“You know this message.””
“No.””
“You do.””
“No.””
Her voice became louder.
“I don’t.””
Marcus watched her carefully.
Something about her reaction confused him.
She didn’t look caught.
She looked terrified.
Like someone had opened a door she had spent years trying to keep locked.
“Naomi.””
She stood up suddenly.
“We need to leave.””
Marcus didn’t move.
“No.””
She looked at him.
“What?””
“I’m tired of leaving every time another secret appears.””
Her expression softened.
“I understand.””
“Do you?””
“Yes.””
“Because I don’t think I do anymore.””
The words hurt her.
He saw that.
But he needed the truth.
“Tell me what that message means.””
Naomi looked away.
“I can’t.””
Marcus stared.
“Why?””
“Because if I tell you, you’ll see me differently.””
“Maybe I already do.””
That sentence hit harder than he intended.
Naomi looked down.
For the first time, Marcus wished he could take it back.
But the truth was already there.
Between them.
Heavy.
“I didn’t send that message,” she finally said.
Marcus frowned.
“Your phone sent it.””
“Yes.””
“Then how?””
“I don’t know.””
“That’s impossible.””
“I know.””
“Naomi.””
She looked at him.
“You think I’m lying.””
“I think something happened.””
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.””
“Then tell me.””
She closed her eyes.
“I lost three days.””
Marcus froze.
“What?””
“After Ethan disappeared.””
“What do you mean?””
“I mean I don’t remember everything.””
The words made him uncomfortable.
“You don’t remember?””
“No.””
“Why?””
Naomi sat back down.
Her voice became quieter.
“Because something happened that night.””
Marcus waited.
“I went to meet Ethan.””
“Like you said.””
“Yes.””
“And?””
“He wasn’t alone.””
“Who was there?””
Naomi swallowed.
“Daniel.””
Marcus felt a familiar name return.
“Daniel was there?””
“Yes.””
“What happened?””
“I don’t know.””
“You don’t know?””
“I remember arguing with Ethan.””
“About what?””
“About the files.””
“The ones he had about you?””
“Yes.””
“And then?””
Naomi looked at her hands.
“Then everything goes blank.””
Marcus sat silently.
“How long?””
“Three days.””
“Three days you don’t remember.””
“Yes.””
“What happened after?””
“I woke up in my apartment.””
“Alone?””
“Yes.””
“Was Ethan gone?””
“Yes.””
“Did you call anyone?””
“I called him.””
“And?””
“His phone was off.””
Marcus looked at the message again.
“So you think someone used your phone?””
Naomi nodded.
“I think someone wanted it to look like I was responsible.””
“Who?””
She looked at him.
“Someone who knew my phone password.””
Marcus froze.
“Who knew it?””
Her silence answered.
“Ethan.””
Marcus leaned back.
“But why would Ethan send a message from your phone?””
“I don’t know.””
“Why would someone else?””
“I don’t know.””
The same answer.
Again.
And again.
Marcus hated it.
But he believed one thing now.
Naomi wasn’t hiding because she had nothing to say.
She was hiding because the truth was dangerous.
Before he could ask more, his phone rang.
This time, the name appeared.
Daniel.
Marcus looked at Naomi.
She immediately shook her head.
“Don’t answer.””
“Why?””
“Because he wants to control the conversation.””
Marcus answered anyway.
“Hello?””
Daniel’s voice came through.
“Finally.””
Marcus stayed quiet.
“You found out.””
“Found out what?””
“That Naomi is not telling you everything.””
Marcus looked at her.
“You seem to know a lot about what she tells me.””
Daniel laughed.
“Because I know her.””
“No. You know your version of her.””
There was silence.
Then Daniel said:
“You’re defending her already.””
“I’m asking questions.””
“Questions she doesn’t want answered.””
Marcus stood.
“Where are you?””
“Why?””
“Because I want the truth.””
Daniel laughed.
“The truth isn’t something you want.””
“Try me.””
A pause.
Then:
“Meet me at the old office.””
Marcus frowned.
“What office?””
“The company building Ethan and I started.””
“Why?””
“Because that’s where everything began.””
The call ended.
Naomi looked worried.
“You can’t go.””
“Why?””
“Because Daniel wants you there.””
“And?””
“He’s dangerous.””
Marcus looked at her.
“So is everyone else apparently.””
She flinched.
He immediately regretted it.
But it was true.
Everyone had a story.
Everyone had a secret.
Everyone wanted him to believe their version.
“I need answers.””
Naomi looked at him.
“You think Daniel will give them?””
“No.””
“Then why go?””
“Because he knows something.””
She stood.
“Then I’m coming.””
Marcus shook his head.
“No.””
“Why?””
“Because if Daniel is trying to hurt you, I don’t want you there.””
Naomi stared.
“You’re trying to protect me?””
“Yes.””
She gave a sad smile.
“Careful.””
“What?””
“That’s exactly how Ethan started.””
The words stopped him.
“What do you mean?””
“He wanted to save me.””
“And?””
“And then he started making decisions for me.””
Marcus understood.
This wasn’t just about danger.
It was about trust.
“I’m not Ethan.””
“No.””
She looked at him.
“You’re not.””
A quiet moment passed.
Then she said:
“Just promise me something.””
“What?””
“If you find something that makes me look guilty…”
She paused.
“Don’t decide before you hear me.””
Marcus looked at her.
“Okay.””
“And if you find something that makes Ethan look innocent…”
“What?””
“Don’t believe that either.””
“Why?””
“Because Ethan was good at hiding things.””
Marcus left an hour later.
The old company building sat on the edge of the city.
Abandoned.
Dark.
A place that looked like it had been forgotten.
But Marcus knew better.
Places didn’t hold secrets.
People did.
He walked inside.
Daniel was waiting.
“You came alone.””
“Yes.””
Daniel smiled.
“I didn’t think you would.””
“Why?””
“Because men like you always think they can fix things.””
Marcus ignored the comment.
“Where is Ethan?””
Daniel looked at him.
“You really want to know?””
“Yes.””
Daniel walked toward an old desk.
He opened a drawer.
Inside was a folder.
He placed it on the table.
“Before you judge Naomi…”
He pushed the folder forward.
“Look at what Ethan found.””
Marcus opened it.
The first page made him stop.
It was a report.
A police report.
With Naomi’s name.
And a date.
Three years before Ethan disappeared.
Marcus looked up.
“What is this?””
Daniel’s face was serious.
“The reason Ethan ran.””
Marcus looked back at the paper.
And then he saw the final line.
The one that made his heart drop.
Because it said:
“Subject connected to previous disappearance case.””
Marcus looked at Daniel.
“What disappearance?””
Daniel stared at him.
“The one Naomi never told you about.””
Marcus felt the room become silent.
“Whose disappearance?””
May you like
Daniel answered:
“Her first fiancé’s.””
