“Yes! Marvin is married and that is supposed to be a secret,” I said in defense of Marvin, who did not know why Larry was surprised that he was married.

“What do you mean that I am married?” Marvin hit back.

“Excuse us for a second, I need to talk to my boy Larry,” I pleaded, and with a nod of the head Marvin agreed.

I took Larry to a corner and told him to act normal. Larry was not having it. He asked me so many times whether I was sure of what I was doing. He was just looking out for me and I got it but if Marvin found out about my secret I was not sure I was going to forgive him.

“Larry, the decisions I made were mine. I was the one who arranged the marriage. I was the one that practically gave June to Marvin,” I said.

“Why would you do that? I know you love him but you are carrying his child,” Larry replied, very disturbed.

Once again, the shadow of my deception was haunting me like a ghost following me everywhere I went and casting its shadows so that anyone it revealed itself to would be afraid of me.

‘It is okay Larry, I have it under control,” I said.

“It is not okay, Cassie and I refuse to be working in deception anymore. You are my boss and we have great things going on but this is your life and it is affecting what we do,” Larry said, seeking answers.

I had to tell him the truth. When I looked at Marvin, he was also looking disturbed and I knew I had to figure out a way to calm these two gentlemen who I loved so dearly in different ways.

I told Larry about the marriage contract and why it was arranged. He now had a better understanding of why Uncle Jonah was after Marvin. I told him why we insisted on June and not me.

“So why does the Contractor want him dead? Who ordered the hit and placed the contract with the Contractor?’ Larry asked.

I told him why the contractor wanted him dead and, obviously, we still did not know who wanted him dead. I told him that I had the documents the contractor wanted and that Marvin did not know.

“You better find a way of making sure all these lies and deception turn in your favour, Cassie,” Larry said as he gave me a very warm hug in front of Marvin, who was watching us all the time and wanted to know what we were speaking of when we were done.

I went to Marvin to explain to him that, as agreed, his marriage was a secret and he should understand why Larry was surprised. Marvin wanted to know why he was so concerned about me.

“Are you sure you are telling me the whole truth? I am certain there is more to this than what you have told me. Why must he be so emotional about it?” Marvin asked.

“He knew I loved you okay, he knew I wanted you. You know that we have risked our lives so many times for you. Larry did all that because he believed I loved you. I think you should cut him some slack, Marvin,” I replied.

I was not ready to let Marvin know the whole truth. I just want to get everyone who is in our way or trying to kill us out of the way so that we at least have some peace.

“When Shantel and her father come please take them to your system’s room. Let them fix this issue,” Larry interrupted us.

“Okay, I still can not believe Mr. Ross is Shantel’s father. I have been deceived so many times by the people who worked for me or are close to me and I hope this ends soon,” Marvin said. It was as if he was complaining or seeking that we stop deceiving him.

Everything we do from now and onwards is to save him. I so much want him to see his child. I do not know what I even want more, for him to stay alive or to stay alive to see his child.

“Marvin, we have to leave you. We have to sort out some other things, please stay safe,” I said.

“I want to have a very serious chat with you, Cassie. Please, that will be when you come back. I will leave for the hotel now to get Mr. Ross and Shantel. I just want everything to end soon,” Marvin said.

"Marvin," Larry started, his voice measured, "you need to understand that Mr. Ross and Shantel are not traitors. They're victims, just like us. They were manipulated by your uncle, Uncle Jonah, who used them to further his own agenda."

Marvin's brows furrowed, his expression a mix of confusion and skepticism. "But why would my uncle do that? What was his agenda?"

Larry sighed, choosing his words carefully. "Your uncle was power-hungry, Marvin. He wanted control, and he used Mr. Ross and Shantel to manipulate the situation to his advantage. They were pawns in his game. I am sure you know if you are out of the way, he is next in line to claim everything the Marvins owned," Larry said.

I could see the gears turning in Marvin's mind as he processed this information. The revelation was never a shock to him, and Larry's words were an attempt to untangle one part of the web of deception that had ensnared us all.

“But they knew what they were doing,” Marvin replied.

"He made them believe they were acting in your best interest…" Larry continued.

“…. They believed,” Marvin interrupted Larry.

"But in reality, he was using them to serve his own agenda. They were victims of his manipulation, just like you were." Larry said.

Marvin leaned back in his chair, absorbing the weight of Larry's words. The truth was a bitter pill to swallow, and I could see the internal struggle in Marvin's eyes.

"But," Larry added, "you have the power now, Marvin. You can expose the truth, and in doing so, clear Mr. Ross and Shantel of any wrongdoing. You don't need to carry the burden of your uncle's deceit.

Marvin nodded slowly. I could sense that he was torn between the desire for justice and the fear of the unknown.

I took a deep breath, breaking the silence that lingered in the room. "Marvin, Larry is right. You have the chance to set things right. Don't be afraid to show Mr. Ross every account and financial document affected by Uncle Jonah's manipulation. It's the only way to bring the truth to light." I said, trying to comfort him.

"But what if there's something incriminating in those documents? What if it implicates - -I know it implicates me, and in all of this, what do I do?" Marvin asked, looking at me, his eyes searching for reassurance.

"Marvin, you're not responsible for your uncle's actions. You're a victim too. If anything, revealing the truth will only strengthen your position and expose the real culprit. I am sure Shantel and Mr. Ross understands" I said, shaking my head.

"Marvin, you can't let fear dictate your actions. Get the truth, and in doing so, you'll free not only yourself but also those who have been wrongly accused. Mr. Ross and Shantel are allies to Cassie and they know the oath of secrecy," Larry said as he nodded in agreement.

“You're right. I can't let this fear control me. I need to confront the truth and clear Mr. Ross and Shantel," Marvin said after a moment of contemplation.

Marvin sighed, it was like a heavy burden lifted from his shoulders.