Chapter 5 - THE SISTER WHO SOLD HER FAMILY
Marissa Bennett had always hated being second.
Second daughter.
Second choice.
Second person anyone remembered.
Claire had inherited their father's confidence.
Their mother's patience.
The company.
The family home.
The respect of people who mattered.
Marissa had inherited money.
But money was never enough.
Not when she wanted the life Claire had.
Four years earlier, Graham Vale had approached her at a charity gala.
He had been charming.
Attentive.
Interested in her opinions.
For once, someone connected to the Vale empire seemed to see Marissa as more than Claire's younger sister.
He began giving her information.
Small secrets.
Private conversations.
Then he asked for favors.
Access to old family records.
Copies of documents.
Details about Thomas Bennett's business arrangements.
Marissa told herself she wasn't doing anything wrong.
After all, she was a Bennett too.
She deserved to know what her father was hiding.
But when Thomas discovered her involvement, he confronted her.
He warned her that Graham was dangerous.
He told her to stop.
Marissa refused.
Three weeks later, Thomas Bennett died.
For years, Marissa told herself the timing was coincidence.
Until Graham began asking her to help with Claire.
At first, she resisted.
Then Graham showed her the trust documents.
He explained that if Claire were declared incapable of managing Bennett Harbor, certain assets could be transferred.
Marissa would receive a substantial payment.
Enough to rebuild her depleted trust.
Enough to buy the life she believed she deserved.
And Adrian?
Adrian was lonely.
Frustrated.
Angry at Claire for questioning his business practices.
Marissa knew exactly how to exploit that.
She became his confidante.
Then his lover.
And eventually, the person who convinced him that Claire was the obstacle standing between him and financial security.
Now, sitting in her apartment, Marissa stared at a message from Graham.
Claire found the archive.
Her stomach dropped.
She called immediately.
"What does that mean?"
Graham answered coldly.
"It means your sister knows more than she should."
"What about the money?"
"Forget the money."
Marissa went still.
"You promised."
"Plans change."
"You can't do this."
Graham laughed.
"Marissa, you were useful because you were easy to manipulate."
Her face burned.
"I'll tell Adrian everything."
"Go ahead."
He paused.
"Then explain why your name appears on the visitor log at Pier Nine the night your father died."
Marissa stopped breathing.
She remembered that night.
The warehouse.
The argument.
Her father shouting.
Graham telling her to wait outside.
Then the ambulance.
She had spent four years pretending she hadn't seen enough to understand what happened.
May you like
Now the truth was returning.
And this time, it was coming for her.
