Chapter Six - The Truth He Wouldn't Tell Me
4400 Words
Elena did not call Alexander.
She didn't call Noah either.
She simply stood outside the prison and watched the black car disappear into the distance.
Her phone was still in her hand.
The message remained on the screen.
Now you understand why you should have listened.
She had no idea what it meant.
But she couldn't stop thinking about Daniel's face.
Don't marry him.
Don't trust anyone.
Someone is watching you.
Daniel had been afraid.
Not angry.
Not confused.
Afraid.
And that scared Elena more than anything else.
She had known her brother her entire life.
Daniel had always been the one who protected her.
When their parents died, he had been the one who stepped up.
He had been twenty-two.
She had been sixteen.
He had worked two jobs.
He had missed meals so she could eat.
He had stayed awake when she was sick.
He had taken care of everything.
Daniel was not perfect.
He had made mistakes.
But stealing millions from Alexander Blackwood?
Elena still couldn't believe it.
And now, she wasn't sure what to believe anymore.
Her phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
Alexander.
She stared at his name until the call ended.
A few seconds later, he called again.
Elena let it ring.
The third time, she answered.
“What?”
“Where are you?”
His voice was sharp.
She looked around.
“Why?”
“Because I called you twice.”
“I saw.”
“And you ignored me.”
“Yes.”
There was silence.
“Where are you?”
“Outside.”
“Outside where?”
“Why does it matter?”
“Elena.”
She sighed.
“I'm outside the prison.”
There was a pause.
“Why are you there?”
“To see Daniel.”
“You went alone?”
“What was I supposed to do? Bring a crowd?”
“Did you tell anyone you were going?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I didn't know I needed your permission.”
His voice became colder.
“Did anyone approach you?”
Elena looked toward the road.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
She hesitated.
“I don't know.”
Alexander went quiet.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Elena.”
“Why are you asking me so many questions?”
“Because I want to know what happened.”
She almost laughed.
“You want to know what happened?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you are in danger.”
The words silenced her.
Elena stared at the road.
“What?”
“Come to my office.”
“No.”
“Now.”
“I'm going home.”
“Then I will send someone to pick you up.”
“Don't.”
“Then come to my office.”
She clenched her jaw.
“I don't want to see you.”
“I didn't ask what you wanted.”
“You're so—”
“Tell me what happened at the prison.”
Elena froze.
She looked down.
“What makes you think something happened?”
“Because you sound different.”
She swallowed.
Alexander had no right to notice things like that.
“Nothing happened.”
“Then come to my office.”
“I have no reason to.”
“You have every reason to.”
“Why?”
“Because someone is watching you.”
Her heart skipped.
She said nothing.
Alexander continued.
“And whoever it is knows about your marriage.”
Elena's fingers tightened around her phone.
“How do you know?”
“Because the man who came to your workplace wasn't there by coincidence.”
She looked around.
“Who was he?”
“I don't know yet.”
“You don't know?”
“No.”
“Then why are you acting like you know everything?”
“Because I know enough to understand that you should not be walking around alone.”
She closed her eyes.
“Daniel said someone is watching me.”
Alexander went silent.
Elena opened her eyes.
She hadn't meant to tell him.
“What did you say?”
She realized the change in his voice.
“He said someone is watching me.”
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
“What else did he say?”
“He told me not to trust anyone.”
“Did he say my name?”
Elena remained silent.
“Elena.”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
“He told me not to marry you.”
There was complete silence.
She could almost feel the change in the atmosphere between them.
“Why?”
“He didn't tell me.”
“What exactly did he say?”
“He said he couldn't tell me.”
“Why?”
“He said I would be in danger.”
Alexander said nothing.
“Elena, come to my office.”
“No.”
“I'm not asking anymore.”
“And I'm not coming.”
“You don't understand.”
“No, I understand perfectly. You think because I agreed to marry you, you can control everything I do.”
“This has nothing to do with the marriage.”
“Then what does it have to do with?”
“Your safety.”
She looked away.
“I'm going home.”
“Where are you?”
“Alexander—”
“Where are you?”
She ended the call.
Her hands were shaking.
She didn't know if it was because of the messages.
Daniel.
Or Alexander.
Perhaps all three.
Alexander stared at the phone in his hand.
She had ended the call.
He had never been so close to losing his temper over a woman.
He placed the phone on his desk.
“Sir?”
He looked up.
His assistant stood by the door.
“Come in.”
The man entered.
“What did you find?”
“About the man at the restaurant?”
“Yes.”
“We're still trying to identify him.”
Alexander's eyes hardened.
“You've had all night!”
“I know.”
“Then why don't you have a name?”
His assistant hesitated.
“There is a problem.”
“What problem?”
“The cameras.”
Alexander frowned.
“What about them?”
“The restaurant's security cameras were disabled for almost an hour.”
Alexander stared at him.
“Disabled?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“About ten minutes before the man arrived.”
His expression changed.
“Was it a technical problem?”
“We checked.”
“And?”
“It wasn't.”
Alexander's jaw tightened.
“Someone disabled the cameras.”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
“We don't know.”
“Find out.”
His assistant nodded.
“And the messages?”
“The number was registered to a prepaid phone.”
“Location?”
“We traced the last signal.”
Alexander waited.
“Near the prison.”
The room went silent.
Alexander's eyes narrowed.
“When?”
“Yesterday.”
“Before or after Elena's visit?”
“Before.”
He stood.
“Find out everything that happened around the prison yesterday.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And I want surveillance around Elena.”
His assistant hesitated.
Alexander looked at him.
“Problem?”
“No, sir.”
“Then do it.”
The assistant turned to leave.
“Wait.”
He stopped.
“Do not let Elena know.”
“Yes, sir.”
After he left, Alexander walked toward the windows.
The city stretched out below him.
Daniel.
The prison.
The messages.
The man at the restaurant.
Something connected all of them.
And he had a feeling that whatever it was, it was much bigger than Elena's brother stealing money from his company.
His eyes darkened.
He had spent years building his company.
He knew his enemies.
He knew the people who wanted to destroy him.
But this felt different.
This felt personal.
Elena arrived home just before noon.
She locked the door behind her.
Then checked it again.
She had never done that before.
The thought annoyed her.
She was allowing strangers to frighten her.
She dropped her bag on the sofa.
Her apartment suddenly felt different.
Too quiet.
She looked around.
Nothing had changed.
The same furniture.
The same curtains.
The same small television.
The same old table Daniel had bought for her years ago.
Everything was exactly as it had been.
Yet she couldn't shake the feeling that someone had been inside.
She walked into her bedroom.
Then stopped.
Her wardrobe door was open.
Elena frowned.
She always kept it closed.
Maybe she had left it open.
She walked closer.
Nothing appeared to be missing.
She checked the drawers.
Everything was there.
She let out a breath.
She was becoming paranoid.
That was all.
She closed the wardrobe.
Then her eyes fell on the small table beside her bed.
The drawer was slightly open.
Elena froze.
She was certain she had closed it.
She pulled it open.
Nothing seemed out of place.
Her old photographs were there.
Her documents.
A few pieces of jewelry.
Then she noticed something.
A photograph was missing.
It was a picture of her and Daniel.
She had kept it in the drawer for years.
Elena searched everywhere.
Nothing.
Her heart began to pound.
She immediately picked up her phone.
She wanted to call Alexander.
The thought made her stop.
Why would she call him?
Because he had told her to.
She hated that.
Instead, she called Noah.
He didn't answer.
She called again.
Still nothing.
Elena stared at the screen.
Maybe he was still angry.
She sat on the bed.
For a moment, she didn't know what to do.
Then her phone rang.
Noah.
She answered immediately.
“Hey.”
“Hi.”
His voice was quiet.
“Are you okay?”
“I'm fine.”
“Where are you?”
“At home.”
“Did you go to the prison?”
Elena froze.
“How do you know?”
“You told me yesterday that you were going.”
She had forgotten.
“Oh.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Elena.”
She closed her eyes.
“Daniel is hiding something.”
Noah said nothing.
“I know he is.”
“How?”
“He told me not to marry Alexander.”
Noah exhaled slowly.
“Why?”
“He wouldn't tell me.”
“Did he say anything else?”
“He said someone was watching me.”
There was silence.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe he was just trying to scare you.”
“Why would he?”
“I don't know.”
Elena stared at the missing photograph.
“Someone sent me messages.”
“What?”
She told him everything.
Noah was silent for a long time.
Then he said, “You need to report this.”
“To the police?”
“Yes.”
“What will I tell them?”
“That someone is threatening you.”
“Is it a threat?”
“Elena.”
She looked down.
“I don't know.”
“Exactly.”
She remained silent.
“Come to the café,” he said.
“Why?”
“Because I want to see you.”
Her heart softened.
“I'm tired.”
“Then sit down and rest while I work.”
She smiled faintly.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
Noah's café was less crowded in the afternoon.
When Elena arrived, he was behind the counter.
He smiled when he saw her.
She smiled back.
The tension between them had not completely disappeared.
But it was better.
“You came.”
“You asked me to.”
“I did.”
He came around the counter.
“Are you hungry?”
“No.”
“Have you eaten?”
She hesitated.
“No.”
Noah sighed.
“Sit down.”
“I'm not a child.”
“Then act like an adult and eat.”
She stared at him.
He smiled.
“There she is.”
Elena rolled her eyes.
He prepared something simple for her.
She sat at the table and watched him move around the café.
This was what she had always loved about him.
He was comfortable.
Familiar.
She knew him.
With Alexander, every conversation felt like a battle.
Every look felt like a challenge.
Every silence felt like something unspoken.
With Noah, she didn't have to work so hard to breathe.
He placed the food in front of her.
“Eat.”
She looked at it.
“Thank you.”
He sat opposite her.
For a few minutes, neither of them spoke.
Then Noah said, “I don't like this.”
Elena looked up.
“What?”
“You being threatened.”
“I don't like it either.”
“I mean the entire situation.”
She put down her fork.
“What are you trying to say?”
“I don't know.”
“Noah.”
He sighed.
“I just feel like everything is happening too quickly.”
Elena stared at him.
“Nothing is happening quickly.”
“You're getting married in three months.”
“Because I have to.”
“You don't have to.”
She looked away.
“Yes, I do.”
“No.”
“Noah.”
“You don't.”
“Daniel is in prison.”
“And you think marrying Alexander will solve everything?”
“He said he would release him.”
“You trust him?”
“No.”
“Then why are you doing this?”
“Because I don't have another option.”
Noah's eyes softened.
“You have me.”
Elena's heart twisted.
She looked at him.
“I know.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
“Then let me help you.”
“How?”
“I don't know.”
“Exactly.”
“I can find a way.”
“You can't.”
“You don't know that.”
“I do.”
“Why?”
“Because you can't fight a man like Alexander.”
Noah's face hardened.
“Maybe I can.”
Elena stared at him.
“You don't know what you're saying.”
“Maybe I know more than you think.”
“Noah.”
“I know what he is.”
“Do you?”
“He's a man with money.”
“That's not enough.”
“It is when you're fighting someone like me.”
Elena looked at him.
“What does that mean?”
Noah looked away.
“Nothing.”
She studied his face.
There was something about his expression.
Something she had never seen before.
“Are you hiding something from me?”
His eyes immediately met hers.
“No.”
The answer came too quickly.
Elena stared at him.
He looked away.
Her stomach tightened.
She suddenly thought of Daniel.
Don't trust anyone.
She pushed the thought away.
Noah was not Daniel.
Noah was different.
Noah loved her.
She knew that.
At least, she thought she did.
Later that evening, Elena received a call from Alexander.
She stared at the screen.
Noah noticed.
“Are you going to answer?”
“I don't know.”
“Maybe you should.”
She looked at him.
“Why are you suddenly encouraging me to speak to him?”
“Because you said he's trying to protect you.”
“I never said that.”
“He came to your workplace.”
“To control me.”
“Maybe both things can be true.”
Elena frowned.
She hated that he made sense.
She answered the call.
“What?”
“Where are you?”
“At Noah's café.”
Alexander went silent.
Elena waited.
Then:
“Come home.”
She frowned.
“I am home.”
“No. You're not.”
She looked at Noah.
“I'm not staying here.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you telling me to come home?”
“Because I need to speak to you.”
“About what?”
“Your brother.”
Her expression changed.
“What about him?”
“Come to my office.”
“No.”
“Elena.”
“I'm tired of you ordering me around.”
“I found something.”
She froze.
“What?”
“Come to my office.”
“What did you find?”
“I'll tell you when you get here.”
She stared at the table.
Noah watched her carefully.
“Alexander.”
“What?”
“If this is about Daniel, tell me now.”
“I won't discuss this over the phone.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't know who may be listening.”
Elena's heart began to beat faster.
She looked around the café.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
She stood.
Noah looked at her.
“What happened?”
Elena covered the phone.
“He says he found something about Daniel.”
Noah's expression changed.
“What?”
“I don't know.”
She returned to the call.
“Fine.”
“Fine what?”
“I'll come.”
“I'm sending a car.”
“No.”
“Elena.”
“I can take a cab.”
“No.”
“Alexander.”
He went quiet.
She continued.
“I am not getting into your car.”
“You're being difficult.”
“I'm being careful.”
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then:
“Fine.”
The call ended.
Elena looked at Noah.
“I have to go.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
She reached for her bag.
Noah stood.
“I'll take you.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't want Alexander to see you.”
Noah's expression changed.
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
He stared at her.
“Are you afraid of what he'll think?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
She couldn't answer.
Because the truth was, she didn't know.
She didn't want Alexander to see her with Noah.
She didn't want him to know how much Noah still mattered to her.
She didn't want to give him another reason to look at her as if he owned her.
“I'll take a cab,” she said.
Noah nodded.
“Call me when you get there.”
“I will.”
The cab stopped in front of Blackwood International.
Elena paid the driver and stepped out.
The building was almost empty.
She walked inside.
The receptionist was different this time.
She recognized Elena immediately.
“Miss Elena.”
“I'm here to see Alexander.”
“He's expecting you.”
The elevator doors opened.
Elena stepped inside.
She watched the numbers climb.
The higher she went, the more uncomfortable she felt.
When she reached the top floor, Alexander was waiting.
He was standing near his desk.
He looked at her.
“Where is the car?”
“I took a cab.”
His jaw tightened.
“I told you—”
“Don't start.”
He stared at her.
Then looked away.
“Sit.”
She remained standing.
“What did you find?”
Alexander picked up a file.
“Your brother's case.”
Elena's heart tightened.
“What about it?”
“I had someone look into the investigation.”
“Why?”
“Because of what you told me.”
She stared at him.
“Daniel told me not to marry you.”
“I know.”
“He said I would be in danger.”
Alexander opened the file.
“The investigation into your brother's arrest has several inconsistencies.”
Elena froze.
“What kind of inconsistencies?”
“Witness statements that don't match.”
She stared at him.
“What does that mean?”
“It means someone may have lied.”
Her breathing stopped.
Alexander continued.
“There are missing records.”
“What records?”
“Security footage.”
“From where?”
“The warehouse where the money disappeared.”
Elena stared at him.
“Why didn't you tell me this before?”
“Because I didn't know.”
“You said Daniel stole from you.”
“He did.”
“You just said the investigation has inconsistencies.”
“I said there are inconsistencies.”
“Do you think he stole the money?”
Alexander looked at her.
“I don't know.”
The words hit her.
Elena stared at him.
“You don't know?”
“No.”
“Then why is he in prison?”
“Because the evidence pointed to him.”
“But you don't know if he did it.”
“I said I don't know.”
She took a step back.
The room suddenly felt too small.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because it changes nothing.”
“How can you say that?”
“You agreed to marry me.”
“Because you told me he stole from you!”
“He may have.”
“May have?”
Alexander looked away.
Elena felt anger rise inside her.
“You were so sure.”
“I was.”
“And now?”
“Now I'm not.”
She stared at him.
“Then release him.”
“I can't.”
“Why not?”
“Because the case is still under investigation.”
“You own half the city!”
“I don't control the law.”
“But you can help him.”
“I am.”
She stopped.
“What?”
“I am trying to find out what happened.”
Elena stared at him.
For the first time, she didn't know what to think of Alexander.
He had every reason to hate Daniel.
Yet he was investigating the case again.
“Why?”
His eyes met hers.
“Because if he didn't steal from me, I want to know who did.”
She looked away.
It made sense.
Of course it did.
Alexander didn't care about Daniel.
He cared about his money.
His company.
The truth.
Still, it was more than she had expected.
“Did you find anything else?”
He hesitated.
Elena noticed.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Alexander.”
He looked at her.
“Your brother was not working alone.”
Her blood ran cold.
“What?”
“There was another person involved.”
“Who?”
“We don't know.”
“Then how do you know?”
“Because the evidence suggests it.”
She stared at him.
“Daniel never told me.”
“He may not know everything.”
“But you said he wasn't working alone.”
“I said the evidence suggests that.”
Elena shook her head.
“This makes no sense.”
“I know.”
She looked at him.
“Who else knew about the money?”
“Several people.”
“Then why did you arrest Daniel?”
“Because he was the last person with access.”
“But you don't know if he took it.”
“No.”
Elena sat down.
Her head was spinning.
Daniel had been keeping something from her.
Alexander had not been telling her everything.
Someone was watching her.
And now there was another person involved in the theft.
She looked at Alexander.
“Did you send those messages?”
His expression changed.
“No.”
“How do I know?”
“You don't.”
She stared at him.
The answer surprised her.
He walked toward her.
“You don't know who to trust.”
She looked up.
“What does that mean?”
“It means you should be careful.”
“Of you?”
“Of everyone.”
She stood.
“Are you threatening me?”
“No.”
“Then what are you doing?”
“Warning you.”
“Why?”
His eyes held hers.
“Because I don't want anything to happen to you.”
Elena froze.
There it was again.
That strange feeling.
The way he said it.
It sounded almost sincere.
She quickly looked away.
“Don't.”
“Don't what?”
“Don't say things like that.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't want to hear them.”
Alexander stared at her.
“Why?”
“Because I hate you.”
His expression didn't change.
“I know.”
“And I am only marrying you because of Daniel.”
“I know.”
“So don't start pretending this is something else.”
His jaw tightened.
“I am not pretending.”
“Good.”
She picked up her bag.
“I want to go home.”
Alexander didn't stop her.
But as she reached the door, he spoke.
“Elena.”
She turned.
“Don't go anywhere alone.”
She stared at him.
“I can take care of myself.”
“I know.”
“Then why keep saying it?”
“Because I don't trust the people watching you.”
She said nothing.
Alexander's voice became quieter.
“Neither should you.”
Elena left the office with more questions than answers.
She took another cab home.
She didn't notice the black car following her.
She didn't see the man inside.
He had been watching her for weeks.
He knew where she worked.
Where she lived.
Who she loved.
He knew about Alexander.
He knew about Daniel.
And he knew something Elena did not.
Something that would change everything.
His phone rang.
He answered.
“She's on her way home.”
A voice spoke on the other end.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“And Alexander?”
“He knows someone is watching her.”
The person on the other end went silent.
Then asked:
“Does he know about you?”
The man smiled.
“No.”
“Good.”
The call ended.
He looked through the windshield.
Elena's cab was several cars ahead.
He had waited two years.
He could wait a little longer.
After all, the wedding was still three months away.
And he had no intention of letting her reach the altar.
- Writer
