Chapter 7 — Victor Comes Begging
Chapter 7 — Victor Comes Begging
Victor Hayes had never begged anyone for anything.
Not when he was broke.
Not when he was drowning in debt.
Not when Meridian BuildWorks rejected his first promotion.
Not when Richard Vale offered him money in exchange for information.
Not even when Olivia had once packed a suitcase and threatened to leave after discovering one of his lies.
Victor had always believed there was another door.
Another deal.
Another person to manipulate.
Another promise to make.
Another woman to charm.
He had built his entire life around the assumption that desperation was something other people experienced.
Now he sat alone in a hotel room with his father's voice still echoing in his head.
My son.
Victor stared at the dead phone.
His father was alive.
His mother had known.
Richard had known.
Kendra had known.
And somehow Olivia was standing at the center of all of it.
He looked at the photograph again.
Daniel Hayes.
Older.
Alive.
Standing beside Richard.
Victor's stomach twisted.
Fourteen years.
His entire adult life had been built on a lie.
He remembered his mother's funeral.
The black suit.
The flowers.
The priest.
The photograph of his father beside the casket.
The words everyone had whispered.
Tragic accident.
Such a terrible loss.
Victor had believed his father was dead.
His mother had let him believe it.
For fourteen years.
Then Richard had appeared.
Then Olivia.
Then the money.
Then the marriage.
Then the affair.
Now the truth was tearing through everything.
Victor stood.
He walked to the bathroom mirror.
His reflection looked unfamiliar.
Bruised.
Exhausted.
Older.
He touched his cheek.
For the first time, he wondered what Olivia had seen when she looked at him.
Not the handsome young man who brought her flowers.
Not the successful executive everyone admired.
Not the husband who believed he deserved obedience.
Maybe she had seen the frightened boy underneath.
The boy who had spent his whole life trying to become powerful because he had once felt completely powerless.
Victor closed his eyes.
Then he made the only decision left.
He called Olivia.
She didn't answer.
He called again.
Nothing.
A third time.
Voicemail.
Victor swallowed.
Then he sent a message.
Please meet me.
He stared at the words.
Deleted them.
Typed again.
I need to tell you the truth.
Deleted that too.
Finally, he wrote:
Please. I am begging you.
He pressed send.
Then he waited.
At 8:17 p.m., Olivia received the message.
She was sitting in her father's study.
The letter from her mother lay open on the desk.
Arthur stood near the window.
Russell was reviewing financial documents.
Kendra sat quietly on the sofa.
Olivia read the message.
Then she locked her phone.
Arthur noticed.
“Victor?”
“Yes.”
“What does he want?”
“To see me.”
“No.”
Olivia looked at him.
Arthur's voice was firm.
“Absolutely not.”
“He may know something.”
“He's lying.”
“You don't know that.”
“I know Victor Hayes.”
Olivia almost smiled.
“No, Dad.”
Arthur looked at her.
“You knew the man he pretended to be.”
Silence.
Olivia continued.
“Now I want to know the man he actually is.”
Arthur shook his head.
“It's dangerous.”
“Everything is dangerous.”
“You've already survived enough.”
“No.”
Olivia stood.
“I've survived seven years of a lie.”
She picked up her coat.
“I'm not spending another seven years afraid of the truth.”
Arthur's expression hardened.
“I am coming with you.”
“No.”
“Olivia.”
“If Victor wanted to hurt me, he would have done it.”
“He already did.”
Her hand moved unconsciously toward her cheek.
“Yes.”
She looked at him.
“And he will live with that for the rest of his life.”
Then she walked out.
Victor waited in the lobby of a small hotel on Michigan Avenue.
Not his hotel.
He had chosen it because it was public.
Neutral.
Safe.
He had arrived forty minutes early.
He had changed his clothes twice.
He had rehearsed what he would say.
Every version sounded pathetic.
When Olivia finally entered, he stood immediately.
She walked toward him.
She looked calm.
That frightened him more than anger would have.
“Thank you for coming.”
Olivia sat across from him.
“I have thirty minutes.”
Victor nodded.
“That's enough.”
“No.”
He looked at her.
“It's not.”
Olivia said nothing.
Victor took a breath.
“I was wrong.”
She stared at him.
“I know.”
“I hurt you.”
“Yes.”
“I lied.”
“Yes.”
“I cheated.”
“Yes.”
“I stole.”
“Yes.”
“I let my mother manipulate me.”
“Yes.”
“I let Richard manipulate me.”
“Yes.”
“I blamed you for everything that was wrong with my life.”
“Yes.”
Victor's eyes lowered.
“I don't expect forgiveness.”
“Good.”
He nodded.
“I don't deserve it.”
“No.”
He swallowed.
“But I need you to believe one thing.”
Olivia waited.
“I did love you.”
Her expression did not change.
Victor continued.
“I know what that sounds like.”
“It sounds convenient.”
“I know.”
“You loved me while sleeping with Kendra.”
“Yes.”
“You loved me while stealing.”
“Yes.”
“You loved me while humiliating me.”
Victor closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
“Then your love was worthless.”
He looked at her.
“Maybe.”
Olivia's voice softened.
“But I think it was real.”
Victor's eyes filled with tears.
“Then why did you destroy it?”
He had no answer.
That was the first honest thing he could give her.
A waiter placed water on the table.
Neither touched it.
Victor finally said:
“My father is alive.”
“I know.”
He looked up.
“You know?”
“Yes.”
“Who told you?”
“He called me.”
Victor's face changed.
“What?”
Olivia's eyes narrowed.
“He called you?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
“That he wanted his son back.”
Victor stared.
“He spoke to you.”
“Yes.”
“What else?”
“He said my mother was innocent.”
Victor went pale.
“What?”
“He said your father—”
“My father?”
“Daniel.”
Victor's jaw tightened.
“What about him?”
“He said my mother lost everything because of your father.”
Victor shook his head.
“That doesn't make sense.”
“It doesn't have to make sense yet.”
She leaned forward.
“I need you to tell me everything you know.”
Victor laughed bitterly.
“That's the problem.”
“What?”
“I don't know anything.”
“You knew enough to marry me.”
“No.”
He looked at her.
“I didn't.”
Olivia waited.
Victor lowered his voice.
“I didn't know who you were.”
“I know.”
“But I knew your family was wealthy.”
She frowned.
“How?”
“Your father.”
“What about him?”
“Someone mentioned his name.”
“Who?”
“Richard.”
Olivia's expression hardened.
“When?”
“Before our wedding.”
“How long before?”
“Six months.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“What did he say?”
Victor hesitated.
“He told me your family was powerful.”
“That isn't enough.”
“He told me you were protected.”
“Protected from what?”
“I don't know.”
Olivia stared.
“You expect me to believe that?”
Victor shook his head.
“No.”
He reached into his coat.
He pulled out a folded document.
“I expect you to read this.”
He placed it on the table.
Olivia opened it.
Her face changed.
It was a consulting agreement.
Victor's signature.
Richard's signature.
And a clause that made her blood run cold.
Consultant shall provide information regarding Olivia Hartwell and her immediate family.
Olivia looked up.
“You knew my name.”
Victor shook his head.
“Not then.”
“But this says Olivia Hartwell.”
“I know.”
“Why is it here?”
“I signed a blank agreement.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“What?”
“Richard told me it was an investment advisory contract.”
“You signed without reading it?”
“Yes.”
“You're an idiot.”
“I know.”
Victor stared at the table.
“I was twenty-nine.”
“You were an adult.”
“Yes.”
“And greedy.”
“Yes.”
“And desperate.”
“Yes.”
“And you signed.”
“Yes.”
Olivia folded the document.
“That doesn't make you innocent.”
“I know.”
“Then why show me?”
“Because I finally understand.”
He looked at her.
“I wasn't recruited to watch you.”
Olivia frowned.
“Then what?”
“I was recruited to become your husband.”
Silence.
At that moment, Olivia's phone vibrated.
Russell.
She answered.
“Yes?”
His voice was urgent.
“Leave the hotel.”
“Why?”
“We have a security problem.”
“What happened?”
“Someone accessed the building's camera system.”
Olivia looked around.
Victor noticed.
“Who?”
“We don't know.”
“Is my father safe?”
“Yes.”
“Kendra?”
“With Arthur.”
“Then what?”
Russell paused.
“Someone entered your mother's old office.”
Olivia's blood ran cold.
“What did they take?”
“We're checking.”
“Anything missing?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“The original accident report from your mother's death.”
Olivia stood.
Victor stood too.
“Olivia?”
She ignored him.
“Russell, lock down the estate.”
“Already done.”
“Do not let anyone leave.”
“Understood.”
She ended the call.
Victor stared at her.
“What happened?”
“Someone broke into my mother's office.”
His face changed.
“What did they take?”
“The accident report.”
Victor looked genuinely frightened.
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
Victor whispered:
“Because your mother wasn't killed in the accident.”
Olivia stared at him.
“You knew?”
“No.”
“Then how do you know?”
Victor swallowed.
“Because Richard told me.”
The hotel suddenly felt too quiet.
Olivia sat back down.
“Tell me.”
Victor looked around.
“Richard said your mother's death was staged.”
“Staged?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because she was supposed to disappear.”
Olivia's heart pounded.
“Disappear where?”
“I don't know.”
“Then what happened?”
“Something went wrong.”
“What?”
Victor shook his head.
“I don't know.”
“Victor.”
“I swear.”
She stared at him.
He looked terrified.
Not acting.
Not charming.
Terrified.
“Who was supposed to make her disappear?”
Victor answered:
“Daniel Hayes.”
Olivia froze.
“My father?”
“Yes.”
“My father was supposed to help my mother disappear?”
Victor nodded.
“According to Richard.”
Olivia looked away.
Her mother's warning returned.
Do not trust Arthur until you know what happened to Victor Hayes.
Victor watched her.
“You believe him?”
“I don't know.”
“Neither do I.”
“Then why did you come?”
Victor took a long breath.
“Because I found something.”
“What?”
“A file.”
“Where?”
“Richard's office.”
“What file?”
“Your mother's.”
Olivia's eyes widened.
“Where is it?”
“I don't have it.”
“Why?”
“Richard took it back.”
“When?”
“Today.”
“What did you see?”
Victor hesitated.
“A photograph.”
“Of what?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“You were a child.”
Olivia's heartbeat accelerated.
“What was beside me?”
Victor looked at her.
“Daniel.”
Silence.
“Your father.”
Olivia stared.
“That can't be.”
“It was dated twelve years ago.”
“That was after my mother died.”
“I know.”
Victor leaned closer.
“And that's not the strangest part.”
“What?”
Victor's voice dropped.
“Your mother was in the photograph too.”
At 9:14 p.m., Olivia returned to the Hartwell estate.
Arthur was waiting.
The moment he saw her face, he knew.
“What did Victor tell you?”
Olivia stared at him.
“Was Mom alive after the accident?”
Arthur went completely still.
“Who told you that?”
“Answer me.”
Arthur said nothing.
Olivia's voice broke.
“Was she?”
Arthur looked down.
“No.”
“You're lying.”
“I am not.”
“Victor showed me evidence.”
Arthur's eyes hardened.
“Victor is desperate.”
“He showed me a photograph.”
“What photograph?”
“Mom.”
Arthur froze.
“Alive?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Twelve years ago.”
Arthur stared at her.
“That is impossible.”
“Why?”
“Because I saw her body.”
Olivia's voice became quiet.
“Did you?”
Arthur looked at her.
The silence lasted too long.
Olivia stepped back.
“You didn't.”
Arthur finally whispered:
“No.”
Her heart shattered.
“You didn't see her body.”
“No.”
“Then what did you see?”
Arthur closed his eyes.
“A photograph.”
“What?”
“Richard sent me a photograph.”
Olivia's voice trembled.
“You believed it?”
“I had no choice.”
“Why?”
“Because your mother disappeared.”
“When?”
“The night before the accident.”
Olivia stared.
Arthur continued.
“She left a message.”
“What message?”
“She told me not to look for her.”
“Why?”
“She said if I did, you would die.”
Olivia covered her mouth.
“So you stopped.”
“I had to.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“You chose to believe Richard.”
“I chose you.”
“You chose silence.”
“Yes.”
“And Mom?”
Arthur looked broken.
“I never stopped looking.”
At 9:48 p.m., Victor arrived at the estate.
Security immediately stopped him.
He stood at the gate.
“I need to speak to Olivia.”
“No.”
Victor looked toward the house.
“Please.”
The guard shook his head.
Victor took a step back.
Then Olivia appeared behind the gate.
“Let him in.”
The guard hesitated.
Arthur's voice came through the intercom.
“No.”
Olivia looked up.
“Dad.”
“No.”
Victor shouted:
“Mr. Hartwell, I know where your wife went.”
Everything went silent.
Arthur came onto the front steps.
“What did you say?”
Victor looked at him.
“I know where Elizabeth went.”
Arthur walked toward the gate.
“Who told you?”
“Richard.”
Arthur's face became pale.
“Where?”
Victor swallowed.
“A place called Blackwater.”
Arthur stopped.
Olivia frowned.
“What is Blackwater?”
Arthur looked at her.
His face was full of fear.
“Nothing.”
Victor laughed bitterly.
“That's what he told you too.”
Arthur turned toward him.
“You don't know what you're talking about.”
Victor stepped closer.
“I know she was alive.”
Arthur stared.
“And I know Richard has records proving it.”
Olivia looked at her father.
“Dad.”
Arthur closed his eyes.
Victor continued.
“And I know something else.”
“What?”
“Daniel Hayes was there.”
Silence.
Arthur's face changed.
Victor whispered:
“He wasn't your enemy.”
Olivia's heart stopped.
“Then who was he?”
Victor looked directly at her.
“He was your mother's last ally.”
At 10:21 p.m., Olivia sat beside Victor in the security room.
Arthur stood behind them.
Russell had brought up archived records.
Blackwater.
No company.
No address.
No legal entity.
Just a code.
BW-17.
Victor stared at the screen.
“That.”
Russell looked at him.
“You've seen it?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Richard's files.”
“What does it mean?”
Victor shook his head.
“I don't know.”
Olivia looked at him.
“Then what do you know?”
Victor took a breath.
“I know Richard was paying someone there.”
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
“Why?”
“To keep someone hidden.”
Olivia's pulse quickened.
“Who?”
Victor looked at Arthur.
Then at Olivia.
“Your mother.”
Arthur stepped forward.
“That's impossible.”
Victor shook his head.
“Then explain why Richard paid $2.3 million to Blackwater every year for twelve years.”
Nobody spoke.
Olivia stared at the number.
“Twelve years.”
“Yes.”
“Since Mom died.”
“Yes.”
She looked at Arthur.
“Dad.”
Arthur didn't answer.
Victor's voice became quiet.
“She wasn't killed.”
Olivia's eyes filled with tears.
“She was hidden.”
At midnight, Olivia stood alone in the hallway.
Victor had been taken to a guest room under security supervision.
Arthur had locked himself in the study.
Russell was tracing Blackwater.
Kendra was asleep.
The house was silent.
Olivia walked to her mother's portrait.
She touched the frame.
“You're alive?”
No answer.
She laughed through her tears.
“Please.”
Her phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
A message.
Victor told you enough.
Another.
Now you know Blackwater exists.
Another.
Come alone tomorrow at midnight.
Then an address.
Olivia stared at it.
Her blood ran cold.
Because she recognized the location.
It was an abandoned Hartwell property.
One her mother had owned.
One Arthur had sold thirteen years ago.
And beneath the address was one final sentence.
Bring the woman who ruined your marriage.
Olivia's eyes narrowed.
Kendra.
The message was not asking for Victor.
It was asking for Kendra.
Which meant whoever had sent it knew exactly what had happened.
And they wanted the one woman who had stood beside Victor when he threw Olivia into the rain.
Because Kendra Vale was not merely the mistress.
She was the last person alive who had seen Elizabeth Hartwell before she disappeared.
At 12:17 a.m., Victor sat awake in the guest room.
He heard footsteps.
He opened the door.
Olivia stood outside.
“You're leaving.”
Victor frowned.
“Where?”
“Nowhere.”
She handed him his phone.
He looked at her.
“What happened?”
“Someone wants Kendra.”
Victor's face changed.
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
He stared at Olivia.
“Then why are you telling me?”
“Because you're going to help me.”
Victor almost laughed.
“You trust me?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Because you know Richard.”
“And you think that makes me useful.”
“I know it does.”
Victor looked at her for several seconds.
Then nodded.
“What do you need?”
Olivia's eyes hardened.
“The truth.”
Victor swallowed.
“I'll give you everything.”
She turned away.
“Victor.”
He looked up.
She paused.
“If you lie to me again, I won't save you.”
Victor nodded.
“I understand.”
Olivia walked away.
Victor watched her disappear down the hallway.
For the first time in seven years, he understood something.
He had spent his marriage trying to make Olivia need him.
Now he was the one who needed her.
Not for money.
Not for status.
Not for protection.
For survival.
Because the people who had created his life were now destroying it.
And the woman he had thrown into the rain was the only person standing between him and the truth.
At 1:03 a.m., Eleanor Hayes received another call.
She answered immediately.
“Hello?”
A man's voice spoke.
“Victor has gone to Olivia.”
“I know.”
“Then it's time.”
Eleanor closed her eyes.
“No.”
“You promised.”
“I can't.”
“You promised fourteen years ago.”
Eleanor's breathing became uneven.
“What do you want?”
“Bring Olivia to Blackwater.”
“She won't come.”
“She will.”
“Why?”
“Because you will tell her the truth.”
Eleanor whispered:
“What truth?”
The voice answered:
“The reason Elizabeth chose Victor.”
Eleanor's eyes filled with tears.
“And if I refuse?”
A pause.
Then:
“I'll tell Victor who his real father is.”
Eleanor stopped breathing.
The call ended.
She looked at the photograph hidden inside her drawer.
Daniel Hayes.
Elizabeth Hartwell.
Victor.
Olivia.
Four lives connected by a secret that had begun fourteen years ago.
And one truth Eleanor had spent her entire life trying to bury.
May you like
Victor Hayes was not the son she thought he was.
And tomorrow night, Olivia was going to learn why.
