Chapter 2 - THE WOMAN THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD CONTROL
Three months earlier, Marissa had still been Anthony Cole’s wife.
On paper, at least.
The townhouse had always looked perfect from the outside.
Guests admired the marble entrance.
Neighbors admired the black iron gates.
Business associates admired the cars.
Everyone admired Anthony.
He knew how to make people believe he had built everything himself.
Marissa knew better.
She had watched the business grow.
She had watched the accounts multiply.
She had watched Anthony become more secretive.
At first, she thought success had simply changed him.
Then she found the first discrepancy.
It was only a small transfer.
Twenty-five thousand dollars.
Anthony said it was a business expense.
Marissa believed him.
The second discrepancy was larger.
Eighty thousand.
The third was two hundred thousand.
When she asked about it, Anthony smiled.
“You worry too much.”
“I’m asking because I’m listed on the account.”
“You're my wife.”
“That doesn't answer the question.”
Anthony leaned back in his chair.
“You know what your problem is?”
Marissa waited.
“You think because you wear a uniform and have responsibilities at work, you understand everything.”
She stared at him.
“What does that have to do with our finances?”
“Everything.”
He stood.
“You should focus on your career.”
Marissa said nothing.
That night, she opened the cabinet in his study.
The files were arranged perfectly.
Almost too perfectly.
One folder was missing.
A single empty space sat between two rows of financial documents.
She remembered that space.
She had seen a document there before.
A document with her name on it.
The next morning, Anthony was unusually affectionate.
He brought her coffee.
He kissed her forehead.
He told her she looked beautiful.
Marissa felt something cold settle inside her.
Anthony never became gentle when everything was fine.
He became gentle when he wanted something.
“What do you need me to sign?” she asked.
He smiled.
“Nothing.”
She stared at him.
“Then why are you being nice?”
His smile disappeared.
“You've become suspicious.”
“No.”
She picked up her coffee.
“I've become observant.”
Anthony walked away.
That afternoon, Marissa received a call from a financial institution.
A woman asked to verify an authorization.
Marissa gave her name.
The woman became silent.
“Ma’am, can you confirm whether you authorized a transfer connected to Cole Holdings?”
“No.”
Another pause.
“Thank you. That's all I needed.”
The call ended.
Marissa sat completely still.
Cole Holdings.
She knew the company.
She knew Anthony controlled it.
But she did not know why her name had been attached to a transfer.
That evening, Anthony arrived home late.
He found Marissa sitting in the living room.
No television.
No music.
No dinner.
Just silence.
“What happened?” he asked.
Marissa looked at him.
“Tell me about Cole Holdings.”
His expression changed for less than a second.
But she noticed.
“What about it?”
“Why is my name attached to a transfer?”
Anthony removed his coat.
“You're misunderstanding something.”
“What?”
“I'll explain tomorrow.”
“No.”
He stopped.
“Explain tonight.”
Anthony laughed.
“You're being dramatic.”
Marissa stood.
“Am I?”
He stared at her.
Then his phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
For the first time, Marissa saw genuine fear in his eyes.
He declined the call.
The phone rang again.
He declined it again.
Then a message appeared.
Anthony read it.
His face became completely blank.
Marissa watched him.
“Who was that?”
“No one.”
He walked upstairs.
Marissa waited until he disappeared.
Then she quietly followed.
The study door was locked.
She had never seen him lock it before.
She stood outside.
Then she heard his voice.
“You said the records were gone.”
A pause.
“No. She doesn't know.”
Another pause.
Anthony lowered his voice.
“If she finds the original documents, we're finished.”
Marissa stopped breathing.
Original documents.
She stepped backward.
The floor creaked.
Silence.
The study door opened.
Anthony stood there.
“What are you doing?”
Marissa looked at him.
“I was looking for you.”
He smiled.
But there was nothing warm about it.
“Go to bed.”
She nodded.
Then she walked away.
Anthony closed the door.
Inside the study, he immediately opened a hidden drawer.
He checked something.
Then he whispered to himself.
May you like
“She can't know.”
But she already knew enough to start looking.
