Evelyn waited until Marcus left the mansion the next morning.
He said he had meetings downtown — something about board approvals and real estate mergers. He kissed her cheek like everything was normal. Like she hadn't asked about a dead sister who might still be alive.
As soon as the front gate buzzed closed behind his sleek black car, she moved fast.
She returned to the study, locked the door behind her, and plugged the USB into the laptop she found inside one of the drawers. It hummed to life.
The folder was oddly named: "Archive 417."
She opened it.
Emails. Dozens. Hundreds. Many were dry — financial updates, contracts, private correspondences. But the subject lines got darker as she scrolled:
"Move her before the press catches on."
"She's asking too many questions."
"Client wants to keep the wife silent."
She clicked an audio file.
" She was never supposed to wake up. What do we do now?"
Her chest tightened. Her fingers hovered above the trackpad.
A knock rattled the door.
"Evelyn?" A voice. A new one. Feminine. Young. "Miss Evelyn, it's Anna — from the kitchen?"
Evelyn yanked the USB free and shoved it into her pocket. "One second!"
She opened the door a crack. Anna, a small, nervous-looking girl with flushed cheeks and wide brown eyes, stood holding a silver tray with a teacup.
"I thought you might want something," she said, voice soft. "You didn't eat breakfast."
"Thank you." Evelyn opened the door more fully. "Can I ask you something, Anna?"
Anna hesitated. "I'm not really supposed to…"
Evelyn stepped closer, dropped her voice. "I won't tell anyone. I just… need help remembering things."
Anna looked around nervously. "If Mr. Blackwell finds out—"
"I know," Evelyn said quickly. "But please. Just one question."
Anna bit her lip.
"Have you worked here long?"
"Six months."
"Do you remember my family ever visiting?"
Anna blinked. "Your… family?"
"Yes. My sister. Parents. Anyone."
Anna's eyes dropped to the floor. "No, ma'am. It's just always been… you and him."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sorry."
Before Evelyn could say anything more, a voice boomed from the hallway.
"Anna."
The girl stiffened. Marcus stood at the end of the hall, holding his phone. His smile was friendly. His eyes were not.
"Yes, sir?"
He nodded toward the kitchen. "We need more cream."
"Yes, sir." She gave Evelyn an apologetic glance and hurried off.
Marcus walked toward Evelyn slowly. "You're not resting."
"I was feeling better," Evelyn said calmly. "Just needed air."
He stepped into the study behind her. Looked around. "You've been in here?"
"It's part of the house," she said coolly. "Isn't it mine too?"
He chuckled. "Of course. I just thought you didn't remember much of anything."
"I'm trying to," she said, watching him closely. "Wouldn't you want me to?"
Marcus didn't answer right away. Instead, he walked behind the desk and tapped it once. "Some things are better left in the past. You were… fragile, even before."
"Before the accident?"
He looked at her. "Before everything."
---
That night...
Evelyn slipped into the kitchen again. Anna was wiping counters.
"Hey," Evelyn whispered. "I need a phone."
Anna froze. "You have one."
"I want another one. One Marcus doesn't know about."
Anna paled. "I… I don't know if I—"
"Anna," Evelyn said firmly. "Please. Someone lied to me. And I think Marcus is involved."
Anna looked at her — really looked — and something shifted in her gaze.
"Come back tomorrow morning," she whispered. "Early. Before sunrise. I'll see what I can do."
---
Later...
In bed, Marcus ran his fingers down her arm.
"I'm glad you're opening up more," he murmured.
"Mmhmm."
"You seemed quiet earlier."
"Just thinking."
"About what?"
She turned to him, brushing her fingers across his cheek. "About us. About the past I don't remember."
"Don't worry," he said softly. "You don't need to remember it. Just live the life you have now."
She smiled.
But in her head, she was already planning.
And hiding the USB under her pillow.