Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6: SUSPECTS

Twenty missed calls greeted me when I finally turned on my phone. They all came from the same number and I had a hunch who it was. Rex was also asking if I was going back to Hacienda Constancia. 

I deleted the missed calls and put my phone back inside my bag. It was starting to get dark so the street lights of the driveways of Hacienda were already lit. 

I slowed down my walk, I didn’t want the moment to end anytime soon. Because the moment I entered the mansion again, I knew I wouldn’t be able to breathe comfortably again. 

Being around my ex-husband suffocates me. 

It was six evenings when I finally arrived at the front door of the mansion. I recognized Alejandro’s car as I noticed how quiet the mansion was. There was no sign of Leticia nor Hordan. 

“You came back.” 

I looked over my shoulder and saw Nix’s brother just come out of the Master’s bedroom. He was looking at me with those cold intimidating eyes. 

“What do you mean by that?”

“You left without saying anything to my brother. Doesn’t that mean you can’t bear around Nexus like we talked about?”

“I didn’t say anything like that. It came from your mouth, not mine.” Well, I did consider leaving and giving the money back but that was just a thought that lasted for a few seconds. 

He looked at me for a moment before finally nodding his head. When he opened his mouth this time, there was a hint of haughtiness in his eyes.

“Heard you broke Hordan’s hand.”

“The asshole deserves it.”

“Same feisty Amara Stephanie I know.”

Before I could move away. He reached the top of my head and tousled my hair like he used to do years ago. 

I complained loudly and was about to smack his hand when the door of the master’s bedroom opened. 

Nix was surprised when he saw me but suddenly replaced by coldness as his eyes landed on his brother’s hand. 

I pushed Alejandro’s hand away and faced them formally. 

“Has he taken his medicine?”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Rex answered and slightly bowed his head like I’m some kind of royalty. 

“Good. I’m going to my office now. I have a lot of things to do.”

No one answered so I turned around. But before I could reach the door knob of the guest’s room door, my ex-husband had already grabbed my wrist. 

“L-Leave us alone.”

Nexus’ voice was weak but enough for the two men to obey what he had said. 

“W-Where did you go?” he asked angrily.

“Home.” I raised an eyebrow at him. I didn’t like his tone. 

“W-Why didn’t y-you tell me?”

“I’m tired, Nexus.”

“A-Am I m-making you tired?” Bitterness was evident in his voice. “A-Are you getting tired of me because I am a burden?”

My patience was running out.  It would be better if I followed my plan to come back here tomorrow. 

“I’m not tired of your situation, Nexus.”

“I-I don’t believe you.”

“Then, think what you want to think. I don’t have time to argue with you.”

Pain crossed his eyes and my heart sank at what he said next. 

“D-Don’t you love me anymore? Y-You didn’t call me Nix or any e-endearment that you used to call me.”

“We’ll talk about that later. I’m just tired, Nexus.” I said dismissively and grabbed the handle of his wheelchair. 

To my surprise, he took my hand and kissed the back of them. “D-Did I do s-something wrong? I’m sorry.”

I ignored him and pushed his wheelchair towards the elevator. When we met Rex on the first floor, I left Nexus with him. I felt my ex-husband’s gaze as I walked back to the guest room. I grabbed my laptop to start the work I needed to finish. A few moments later, Miss Yeye knocked on the door. 

She smiled at me and entered the room, a tray of food in her hands. 

“I brought you dinner.”

“Thank you, Miss Yeye.”

The old woman smiled even more and came near me. She stroked my hair. 

“Where have you been?”

“I went to my parents, Miss Yeye.”

“You didn’t tell me when you left. Nexus was so angry when he found out that you left Hacienda. I felt sorry for him. I know you don’t care about him anymore. After everything you have been through, I understand why you don’t love him anymore.”

“This mansion, his presence is suffocating me,” I answered honestly. 

“I’m grateful. Despite what you are feeling, you’re still here. Did you know, that Nix kicked Leticia and Hordan out of the Hacienda?”

I looked at him, surprised. 

“He blamed them for why you left. He asked the guards to drag them out of the property. He wouldn’t eat or take his medicine. Locked himself in his room and I saw him crying when I tried bringing him his food.”

I can’t believe this! I broke His brother’s hand, why does it seem like I’m the victim in my Ex-Husband’s eyes?

“LOOK after him, Teph,” Alejandro said as we sat together on the verandah on the second floor.

“It’s my job to stay by his side.”

“There is something wrong with my brother's accident. Millions of dollars were missing from the Almeradez Empire before the accident happened.”

Alejandro told me what he found out so far. 

According to the police report, the brake of Nexus’ car was broken—intentionally.

“The former head of the financial department resigned. Until now, no one has been appointed to replace him but Mrs. Rebadulla is in charge. My theory was that Nix found out about the missing money before his accident.”

“I also received a call from one of his trusted friends and an international lawyer. Some of his properties abroad were being sold. Nix will not sell those properties. He doesn’t need money because he has a lot of it or he could ask me or dad. Those properties were his investments.”

Alejandro’s eyebrows furrowed. I didn’t make any comment because I knew he knew what he was doing. After all, Alejandro Almeradez was in the military, he knows how to analyze and respond to such situations. 

“I have a hunch that those are related to the accident. His brake was intentionally broken.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I asked with my deadpan look. 

He looked at me seriously. “I want you to watch over him from his own mother.”

“What?”

“Leticia and Hordan are on the suspects’ list. Before the accident, Nexus had a big fight with his step-brother. Many employees saw them brawl in the lobby of the Empire. The report of the initial investigation had Leticia’s name on the list as one of the owners of the bank account where the missing money goes.”

“I saw Leticia asking your brother to sign something.” 

“What? Are you serious?” The look on his face seemed to confirm his suspicion. 

I casually sipped my coffee. 

“The witch hasn't cared about your brother ever since. She only cares about money. To my advantage because she gave me this job.”

“Do you know what the documents are about?”

“Projects in Almeradez Empire, a property that Leticia wants, and of course Hordan’s monthly allowance. ‘Til now, the assholes still sucking off your brother.”

“Damn those shits!”

I couldn’t agree more. I chuckled lowly and shook my head. 

A moment later, Alejandro made a call and left. 

I stayed for a while before going down to the kitchen. Miss Yeye and other servants were on the farm to deliver food to the workers. They were now harvesting fruits that will be exported to Europe. 

My pace quickened as I went up when I heard the buzzing sound coming from the Master’s bedroom.