Chapter 14 - Rebecca's ChoiceThe recording lasted forty-three minutes.
Caleb listened through a transcription program while Emma signed important sections.
Rebecca's voice appeared as text on the screen.
Grant, tell me the truth.
Grant's answer followed.
Marcus ordered the damage.
Rebecca.
Did he order Michael killed?
Grant.
No.
Rebecca.
Did you know before Michael went to the site?
Silence.
Then Grant's answer.
Yes.
Caleb stopped the recording.
His entire body went still.
Emma looked at him.
Ready?
Caleb shook his head.
Not yet.
He stood and walked outside.
Marcus's estate stretched across acres of green lawn.
Caleb stood under an oak tree.
He could not hear the wind.
But he saw leaves shaking.
He felt the air against his face.
Emma approached.
She did not touch him.
She simply stood nearby.
After a minute, Caleb signed.
Grant knew.
Emma nodded.
He could have warned my dad.
Yes.
He didn't.
No.
Caleb stared at the ground.
That was different from learning the truth after the accident.
Grant had known beforehand.
Emma's expression tightened.
That's why he made the video.
Caleb looked at her.
He confessed to the smaller version before we found the bigger one.
Caleb nodded.
Grant was still managing truth.
Still choosing how much people were allowed to know.
They returned inside.
The recording continued.
Rebecca.
Why didn't you warn Michael?
Grant.
Because he would have gone to the police.
Rebecca.
So?
Grant.
Marcus would have exposed the transfers.
Rebecca.
Your transfers.
Grant.
The foundation would have collapsed.
Rebecca.
No.
You would have collapsed.
Caleb closed his eyes.
That sounded like his mother.
Grant continued.
Rebecca, thousands of families depended on us.
Rebecca.
Do not use those families to excuse yourself.
Emma looked toward Caleb.
History repeated.
Grant had tried the same argument with Caleb.
Rebecca continued.
Michael is dead because you protected your reputation.
Grant.
I did not cut that cable.
Rebecca.
You knew someone planned to tamper with the site.
You stayed silent.
Grant.
I didn't know he would die.
Rebecca.
Neither did he.
Caleb's hands shook.
Then Marcus's voice appeared in the recording.
Rebecca, enough.
Caleb looked up.
Marcus had been there.
Rebecca.
You don't get to speak.
Marcus.
I'm your father.
Rebecca.
Michael was my husband.
Marcus.
I made a terrible mistake.
Rebecca.
No.
You made a decision.
Caleb felt those words.
A mistake sounded accidental.
A decision had intention.
Marcus.
Tell me what you want.
Rebecca.
Every dollar returned.
Grant removed.
Full control restored to the trust.
Marcus.
Done.
Grant.
You can't—
Rebecca.
And if either of you comes near Caleb, I release everything.
Silence.
Caleb stared.
His mother had tried to force them out.
What happened?
He looked at Marcus.
Marcus avoided his eyes.
The recording continued.
Grant.
You don't have everything.
Rebecca.
Enough.
Grant.
Not enough to prove intent.
Rebecca.
Enough to destroy you publicly.
Marcus.
Rebecca—
Rebecca.
I should destroy both of you.
Marcus.
Then why don't you?
A long silence.
Rebecca began crying.
The transcription struggled.
Emma leaned closer.
Then Rebecca said something very softly.
Because Caleb has already lost his father.
I won't make him spend his childhood watching his mother fight his grandfather in court.
Caleb stopped breathing.
Rebecca continued.
But you will stay away from him.
Both of you.
Forever.
The recording ended.
Caleb sat silently.
For years, he had imagined his mother as certain.
Strong.
Always knowing the right thing.
The recording showed something harder.
Rebecca had been terrified.
She had wanted justice.
She had also wanted to protect her son from a public family war.
She chose a compromise.
And Grant broke it.
Marcus broke it.
Maybe Rebecca regretted it until the day she died.
Caleb signed.
Did she ever forgive you?
Marcus shook his head.
“No.”
Good.
Marcus looked hurt.
Caleb did not apologize.
He took the recorder.
Marcus said, “That belongs to me.”
Caleb turned.
It was her voice.
Marcus said nothing.
Caleb walked toward the door.
Then Marcus spoke.
“I can testify.”
Caleb stopped.
Jenna looked surprised.
Marcus continued.
“I will testify about Grant.”
Caleb turned.
Why?
Marcus looked tired.
“Because I'm eighty-one.”
“Because Rebecca is dead.”
“Because Michael is dead.”
“Because every lie I told to protect this family destroyed more of it.”
Caleb stared.
Marcus added.
“And because Grant will come after you.”
Caleb signed.
He already has.
Marcus's eyes narrowed.
“What did he do?”
Caleb showed him the threatening photograph.
The anonymous message.
The rock through Elliot's window.
Marcus's expression changed.
“This isn't Grant's style.”
Emma frowned.
“You're defending him?”
“No.”
Marcus looked at the photograph.
“Grant threatens careers.”
“Money.”
“Reputation.”
“This…”
He tapped the picture.
“This is someone else.”
Caleb felt cold.
Who?
Marcus looked at the message again.
Then at Leah.
“Grant still has a partner.”
Leah stared.
“Who?”
Marcus's answer was quiet.
“My son.”
Jenna went pale.
Caleb frowned.
He had never heard of another son.
Marcus looked at him.
May you like
“Your uncle.”
And suddenly, the family tree became even darker.
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