Chapter 6 - The Brother Who Wanted EverythingRoderick disappeared.
Police searched his apartment.
Gone.
His phone was off.
His accounts were empty.
Then he called me.
“Valerie.”
I recognized his voice immediately.
“Where are you?”
“Doesn't matter.”
“What do you want?”
“The money.”
“No.”
“You don't understand.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“You have eight million dollars.”
“And you want it.”
“I need it.”
“You've always needed something.”
His voice became bitter.
“You think you're better than me.”
“No.”
“You always thought you were better.”
“My mother worked for everything she had.”
“And now you're sitting on it.”
“I didn't steal it.”
“You're going to regret this.”
The line went dead.
I immediately contacted the police.
That evening, Gabriel came to my house.
He didn't enter.
He stood outside.
“I want to apologize.”
I crossed my arms.
“For what?”
“Everything.”
I waited.
“I should have protected you.”
“Yes.”
“I should have protected your mother.”
“Yes.”
“I should have told my family no.”
“Yes.”
He looked down.
“I'm sorry.”
I believed him.
But forgiveness wasn't the same as reconciliation.
“I forgive you.”
His eyes filled.
“But I don't want to be married to you anymore.”
He closed his eyes.
“I knew you were going to say that.”
“I don't hate you.”
“I know.”
“But I don't trust you.”
“I know.”
He removed his wedding ring.
He placed it in my hand.
“I hope someday you can.”
I closed my fingers around it.
“Maybe.”
He walked away.
The divorce was finalized months later.
No dramatic courtroom battle.
No screaming.
Just signatures.
The marriage ended quietly.
The inheritance remained mine.
But the story wasn't over.
May you like
Because Roderick was still missing.
And he had just threatened me.
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