Allegedly

Chapter 9: Secrets Unveiled

Rowan had been pacing the hallway, his mind restless, the events of the night still weighing heavily on him. Marcus's death had shaken him to his core, and as much as he tried to piece together the scattered clues, his mind kept circling back to the question: Why Marcus? Why now?

The air in the house felt thick, heavy with secrets. As he passed one of the guest rooms, Rowan heard voices-muffled, but distinct. He paused, his heart skipping a beat when he recognized them.

Hui and Cecilia.

They were talking in low tones, their words drifting through the half-open door like a whispered conspiracy. Rowan hesitated for a moment, guilt flickering in his chest, but something in their voices pulled him closer. Quietly, he stepped to the side of the door, just out of sight, and listened.

"I still think we should wait," Cecilia's voice came, tight with uncertainty. "It's too soon, Hui. Marcus hasn't even been buried yet, and we're already talking about selling the property."

Rowan's stomach clenched. Selling the property? He had sensed something was off, but hearing it confirmed made his pulse quicken.

"It's not about timing," Hui replied, his voice calm, almost cold. "It's about opportunity. With Marcus gone, there's no one to stop us. Your mother can't manage this place forever, Cecilia, and you know it. The property is worth a fortune. We could pay off everything and live comfortably. Do you really want to let this slip through our fingers?"

Rowan's heart sank. He had never trusted Hui, but now his suspicions were crystal clear. Hui wasn't just thinking about the future-he was planning to take advantage of the tragedy, pushing for the sale of Emma's lifelong home for his own gain.

"I just..." Cecilia hesitated, her voice softening. "I don't want to feel like we're betraying her. This house-it's all she has left. I don't know if I can take that away from her."

Hui's tone hardened. "You're not taking anything away. Your mother's blind, Cecilia. She can't live here on her own. You're the only daughter, the only one who can make the right decision for her. She'll understand. We need to think about us-our future, our family."

Rowan clenched his fists, anger rising in his chest. He needed to tell Emma. She deserved to know what her daughter and son-in-law were planning. Without hesitation, he turned and walked swiftly down the hall, his mind racing.

---

Rowan knocked gently on Emma's door before entering. She was sitting in her favorite armchair, her Corgi, Lucy, curled up at her feet. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of a lamp casting long shadows across the floor. Emma turned her head toward the sound of his footsteps, her face calm but expectant.

"Rowan?" she said quietly. "What's wrong?"

Rowan hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to begin. But Emma had always been straightforward with him, and she deserved the same in return.

"I overheard something," Rowan said, stepping closer. "Hui and Cecilia-they're talking about selling the property. They want to push for the sale now that Marcus is... gone."

Emma's face tightened, though she said nothing at first. Lucy, sensing the tension, lifted her head and barked softly.

"I thought as much," Emma finally said, her voice steady but laced with sadness. "Cecilia's been wanting to sell the ranch for years now. But I never thought she would use Marcus's death as an excuse."

Rowan sat beside her, the weight of the conversation pressing down on him. "I didn't know what to do. I had to tell you. I know how much this place means to you."