Chapter 8 - The Hidden Safe
Rachel suddenly looked toward the hallway.
"Laura."
"Yes?"
"You mentioned a storage room."
"I did."
"May I see it?"
Mark immediately became nervous.
"There is no reason."
Rachel ignored him.
"I'd still like to."
I led everyone toward the small utility room beside the kitchen.
It was crowded with old boxes, holiday decorations, unused furniture, and dusty shelves.
Emma looked disappointed.
"I thought something important was hidden here."
"There is."
I walked toward an old wooden cabinet.
Behind it was a section of wall that appeared slightly newer than the surrounding paint.
Rachel noticed immediately.
"Interesting."
Mark's breathing became noticeably faster.
"There is nothing there."
I smiled.
"I know."
He frowned.
"What?"
"There used to be."
I pulled the cabinet aside.
Behind it was a small steel door built into the wall.
Emma covered her mouth.
"A safe?"
Mark's face became completely pale.
Rachel turned toward him.
"You knew about this?"
He didn't answer.
Vanessa looked genuinely surprised.
"I've never seen it."
I entered a six-digit code.
The lock clicked.
The heavy door slowly opened.
Inside...
There was almost nothing.
Only a thin folder.
A flash drive.
And a small velvet jewelry box.
Emma looked confused.
"That's it?"
"That's enough."
I handed the folder to Rachel.
She opened it carefully.
After reading only the first page, she looked directly at me.
"You kept these?"
"I thought they might matter someday."
"They matter very much."
Mark stepped forward.
"What documents are those?"
Rachel closed the folder.
"Financial records."
"They're mine."
"No."
She looked at him calmly.
"They're evidence."
The word hung in the air.
Evidence.
Mark suddenly became aggressive again.
"You have no right to keep my private documents."
I opened the velvet box.
Inside lay a simple gold wedding ring.
Not mine.
Emma frowned.
"Whose is that?"
I answered quietly.
"The first one."
Everyone stared at me.
"The first... what?"
"The first engagement ring Mark bought."
Mark whispered only one word.
"Laura..."
May you like
But it was already too late.
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