Marked by Deception

Chapter 2: Legacies

☆☆LILA☆☆

He hands me a small evidence bag. Inside is a chain, my father's chain.

“It was found in your father’s car. I thought you might want it.”

“ oh “ I said, my shoulders dropping.

A wave of disappointment washed over me. I had been hoping for something more. Something that could change everything.

I clutched the chain tightly, as if I were holding a piece of him. For a moment, something strange flickered through me. Then I remembered the detective was still standing there.

“Thank you,” I said softly. “It means a lot.”

He nodded. “I figured it might.”

“I thought it got lost with his ring,” I murmured, looking at the chain.

“His ring?” His brow furrowed in confusion.

“Yeah... My father always wore his wedding ring. Even after my mother died.”

“Oh. It must havee fallen off, I guess.”

“Yeah. It must have…”

I hesitated, before asking, “Detective, if it’s not too much to ask... are you sure Rowan is innocent? It’s only been a month. More evidence could come up and—”

“I understand your frustration, Miss Lila. Really, I do. If it were up to me, I’d still be digging,” he said, his voice low and honest. “But the order to close the case came from above. Way above.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“But what about the strange mark on his car?” I pressed. “the scratches that ran along the door it damaged the car paint. Did you ever find out anything about it?”

He shook his head. “No. We didn’t.”

“Oh...”

He reached into his coat pocket. “You know what if anything else comes up, or if you find something, call me. Okay?”

He handed me his card.

“Alright,” I said, then pulled out one of my own and gave it to him. “Just in case.”

He gave a small smile. “Got it. Have a nice day, Miss Lila.”

“You too.”

I stood there a moment longer, staring up at the building.

Then I got into my car and drove off.

The house was silent when I got back.

I dragged myself upstairs to my room, not even bothering to check if Nanny Rosa had returned.

I felt drained.

I took some sleeping pills before collapsing on the bed and sleep.

I woke up gasping sweet clinging on my shirt Flashes of a car, red lights, a voice calling my name…

My heart thundered against my chest I looked around my room, trying to bring myself back to reality. For weeks now, I've been having this same nightmare about my father's death, but this time I wasn’t told I witnessed it.

I sat down, just staring at the grey wall.

I picked up my phone and checked the time.

12:35am, I only slept for 4 hours

I kicked the sheets off and walked over to the window. Maybe some fresh air would help. I opened the blinds.

The moon was shining tonight, lighting up the courtyard below, then something moved near the gate. I looked down at it, trying to figure out what it was.

It was a dog, a big one.

But we don't have a dog; we never did. I was always scared of it as a child.

It stopped and looked up at my window

It just stood there and kept on looking up

For a moment, I thought it was looking at me

I didn't bother to look twice. I closed the blinds and went back to bed.

As I climbed down the stairs, still feeling sleepy, I noticed Zio was in the living room using his laptop to work.

Suppressing a yawn, I walked into the kitchen, where Mama Rosa was cooking.

“Good morning,” I mumbled.

“Good afternoon, bambi,” she replied with playful emphasis.

She handed me a cup of coffee.

“Thanks,” I said,

Then it came back to me. “Hey… did someone bring a dog around here yesterday?”

Mama Rosa paused, her spoon mid-air. “A dog?”

“Yeah,” I said, frowning. “I saw one near the gate around midnight. Just standing there.”

Zio barely looked up before answering. “Probably a stray. They wander sometimes this time of year.”

“But it was inside the compound,” I said, confused.

Mama Rosa turned toward me, her brows creasing. “Are you sure you saw it clearly? Inside the gate?”

“I… I think so,” I said, suddenly unsure.

“You were exhausted, sweetheart. Maybs you were mistaken.” she said gently.

“Maybe I was,” I muttered under my breath

I turned toward Zio, looking straight at him

“Why didn’t you tell me they closed Dad’s case?”

Zio leaned back in the chair, sighing like he’d been waiting for this question. “Because I knew how you’d take it.”

“I had a right to know,” I said, my voice cracking at the edge.

“I didn’t agree with the decision either. But it’s not my call. The case is closed, Lila.”

“ so what? I'm supposed to pretend nothing happened?” i scoffed. “i should pretend like none of it matter?”

He didn't answer. He just rubbed his forehead.

I stared at him for a long moment, then asked, “So who did they choose?”

He blinked. “choose?”

“The new chairman. Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

A long pause. Then he said, “It’s not my place to say.”

“Seriously?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

“Why won’t you just tell me?”

“Because tomorrow’s meeting is important. The board wants everyone there. They’ll make the announcement properly.”

“So I’m just supposed to show up and clap for whoever they choose?”

“You’re supposed to show up because it’s your legacy too,” he said, more gently this time. “No matter what they say about you… you’re still a part of the company.”

I said nothing.

“Please, Lila. Please be there.”

I nodded hesitantly.

“We've been sitting here for almost five minutes,” I whispered to Zio. “Where is this executive chairman everyone’s so eager to meet?”

We were in the boardroom waiting for the new executive chairman before the meeting began. But he or she was nowhere to be seen and every second that passed only made the air feel heavier.

I was tired of waiting. Tired of pretending this didn’t matter to me. My leg bounced under the table as whispers drifted from one end of the room to the other. People checked their watches. Adjusted their seats. My stomach twisted. Whoever it was, they sure are taking their tine

The chatters stopped as the door opened.

He stepped in.

No.

It couldn’t be.

His suit was neatly tailored, hugging his frame without effort.

His hair was longer than I remembered, those striking black eyes looked straight onto mine.

“Theodore-f*****g-Marcellus” I said,my voice louder than I meant it to be.