I don't know how it happened, but a reporter had filmed me at Tanti's grave that day, and the news had spread all over Muni.
It had become a time-passing hobby for some television channels to give their views on the situation.
Some said that I had visited the grave as a stunt since people had ridiculed me for breaking up childhood sweethearts. Others said I was a scheming person who hired a reporter on the day of my baby's birth to visit the grave. They continued by saying, how could I not have known about the death of my childhood friend, which happened months back, etc.
Different news and social media channels were sending me invites for interviews. I was listlessly heartbroken and sad. In all their speculation, not one of them mentioned the cause of Tanti's death! It was as if it didn't matter!
I decided to take matters into my own hands. I would personally find the real reason for Tanti's death. First, I would find out about Sophie and what really led her to a mental hospital.
However, I didn't know how I was going to achieve that. I now had to take care of the children and be wary of Henry's actions. Once again, I felt the power of being helplessly alone.
I decided to call my brother. I would just tell him to hire a private investigator; I would cover the costs. When I was getting married, Mr. Charpil gave me some money, which I put into my account.
"Why are you trying to find out about that employee? Shiba, is something wrong?" Ady immediately asked over the phone after I told him about my request.
"Nothing is wrong; I just want to know about the specifics of why Sophie landed in the hospital," I said.
"Shiba, I am your brother; don't hide anything from me, okay?" Ady said.
"I know, please just do this for me; don't tell anyone about it, though," I said.
"No problem. Which mental hospital was it again?" Ady asked.
"Muni Mental Health Medical Center," I reported.
"Okay, however, after everything is discovered, we really have to have an in-depth talk, Shiba, okay?" Ady assertively said. I saw his persistent nature and decided to go along with him.
"Okay, just don't tell anyone about our conversation," I once again warned.
"I understand, Shiba. Have some rest; it's the middle of the night. Isn't Henry around?" Ady asked.
"He is busy; you know he goes on different work trips," I said.
"But you just gave birth; you shouldn't be left all alone," Ady commented.
"It's alright; the children are fine. I also have different nannies; it's not a bother," I said.
"Even if..." My brother was talking when I quickly interrupted him. I knew he cared about me so much; if this continued, he would try to critically analyze everything.
"Ady, I am fine. Goodnight," I said with a smile.
"Goodnight too, Ada," Ady said before we ended our call.
Finally, I was at least put at ease. I would first clearly analyze Sophie's matter; then, through the same investigator, I would try to find out about Tanti.
What I needed was the contact of that investigator. I didn't want my brother to know about me going further to find out about Tanti. I didn't want anyone to find out, not even my left arm!
I went to the nearby bedroom and checked on the children again before I went to sleep. Henry had brought in some engineers to prepare the children's room, and monitoring cameras were also installed. Although I wanted to sleep with my babies, I couldn't say anything about his arrangements.
Two days passed, and Ady called me, telling me that he had found an investigator. However, the amount needed was a lot. I was happy and quickly told him to withdraw money from my account. I didn't care; what had I even used the money there for?
My brother seemed hesitant, telling me that the money should be kept on my side in case of any emergency. I knew he was once again worried about me, and I helplessly smiled.
"Just withdraw the money, okay? Let me send you the details. By the way, you didn't tell anyone, did you?" I asked over the phone.
I heard Ady laugh a little. "Put your heart at rest, Shiba. I didn't tell anyone. Why are you more of an investigator?" he said helplessly.
We then talked about what he was up to. When I brought up his marriage, he surprisingly told me that it would be soon.
I wondered which girl he had set his eyes on. My brother might not have been as rich as Henry, but he had a caring and loving heart. He was also hardworking and handsome.
When we walked together in the market, many ladies would secretly whisper and blush towards him; however, he always seemed oblivious, or maybe he just chose to ignore them. I will never know. I was suddenly curious as to who would win his heart.
The investigation was quickly done; within a week, Ady called me with the results.
"What is going on, Shiba?" Ady asked.
"What are you asking about? Isn't the investigation done?" I asked back.
"The investigation's conclusion isn't the issue; the contents of the investigation are," Ady said.
"The investigator found that there is indeed a person called Sophie who was an employee at Henry's house and was registered in the medical center, but at the same time, there is no Sophie residing inside that center," Ady explained.
My heart immediately thudded.
"Where is she?" I asked.
"No one knows; it's as though she disappeared into thin air. There are no contacts. When the investigator tried reaching her parents, he discovered that they were no longer in Muni," Ady explained.
"Shiba, tell me, what is going on?" Ady asked. I didn't know what to tell him; I didn't want to tell him about Henry in the first place; nothing good would come out of it.
When I thought about the fact that I didn't have any leads on Sophie and why she wasn't in the medical center that she was supposed to be in, I felt fear. Could Henry really make someone disappear? I didn't want my brother to search any further or have anything to do with this matter from now on!
"Listen, Ady, I was just investigating this issue on someone's behalf. It's the gardener; he wanted to know what happened to Sophia after being admitted. Don't think about this issue further, okay? If she isn't there, then all is good. Maybe her parents couldn't bear seeing their child in the mental hospital and took her? Let's not think about the issue any further," I said.
"Shiba, please tell me you aren't hiding anything from me," Ady requested.
"Is that brother-in-law on the phone?" Suddenly, I heard Henry's low voice beside my ear, which I was using to receive the call. My heart dropped to my stomach. Did he hear anything about our conversation?
Ady was also silent on the other end of the line. "Let me talk to brother-in-law," Henry smiled as he snatched the phone from my hand.
"Ady, how is Huner treating you?" Henry asked. I couldn't hear what my brother was saying on the other line.
"Well, I heard you talk about someone called Sophie?" Henry once again asked.
My heart stilled; Henry had heard our conversation. I didn't know what would follow, and I didn't want my brother to face any problems.
Henry turned and faced me as he listened to what my brother was saying, as though amused.
"Oh, you two siblings really know how to pass the time. Okay, have a nice day," Henry immediately disconnected the call.
"Well? What was that just now?" Henry asked.
"Nothing, I personally wanted to know about Sophie, no one else," I said.
"Oh," Henry nodded as he undid his cufflinks and folded his shirt.
"What happened to the promise you made about asking me anything you wanted to know? Now all my family's laundry can be aired outside?" Henry asked as he also undid his belt.
"It seems you really haven't learned your lesson," Henry said before slapping me hard in the face, causing me to fall off the bed. He then proceeded to whip me with the belt.
The golden belt handle immediately connected with my skin, causing it to break and blood to gush out. I cried in pain and agony as I covered my face.
"You now have the guts to talk about my house's business with that nobody? Your family is just like pests and ants. Do you want me to make an example of one of you for all of you to know your place?" Henry asked before he stopped and picked out his phone from his pocket.
"It's a pity; your brother was so hardworking. Why did he have to snoop around? This is the second time he has done so," Henry said as he dialed a number.
My heart immediately stopped. I couldn't let anything happen to my brother. "Please don't hurt my brother!" I cried as I held Henry's thighs tightly. Henry tried to push me off him, but I couldn't let him go. I couldn't watch him cause harm to my brother; he could do anything he wanted to me, but not to my brother!
"Oh, you really love him so much? Even when he was privileged over you? You didn't study because of him. I am just doing you a favor by punishing him a little," Henry chuckled as he spoke before the phone went through.
"Handle some business for me in Huner. Locate someone called Dr. Ady and teach him a lesson to never snoop around," Henry said.
"No! Please. No, I will never do it again! It was me! Please spare my brother! I will do anything you want. Yes, I will do anything," I cried as I spoke.
"Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do for me," Henry said as he hung up the phone.
I listlessly and helplessly sat on the ground. If anything happened to my brother, I would kill Henry, I suddenly thought.