Chapter 8: The Truth Ethan Buried
Ethan stood in the middle of the warehouse, unable to meet my eyes.
For years, I had known him as my younger brother.
The person who protected me.
The person I trusted.
But now he looked like a stranger.
“Tell me.””
My voice was quiet.
That scared him more than anger.
“Tell me what happened.””
Ethan swallowed.
“I never wanted it to get this far.””
I laughed bitterly.
“You kidnapped my daughter.””
“No.””
He shook his head quickly.
“Victor did.””
“But you helped him.””
His silence was enough.
Lily started crying softly.
“Uncle Ethan…”
He looked at her.
The guilt on his face was real.
But guilt didn’t erase what happened.
“I’m sorry.””
Lily turned away.
Victor walked around us slowly.
“This is the part where family members pretend they are victims.””
I looked at him.
“Enough.””
His smile faded.
“You still think you’re in control.””
“No.””
I looked at Lily.
“I know exactly what I’m fighting for.””
Victor’s eyes narrowed.
“Then listen carefully.””
He pointed at Ethan.
“Your brother discovered the truth about your father’s company.””
I looked at Ethan.
“What truth?””
Ethan closed his eyes.
“My father didn’t leave you everything.””
I froze.
“What?””
“He left it to both of us.””
The words felt impossible.
My father had always told me I was responsible for carrying on the family business.
I inherited everything.
Or so I thought.
Ethan continued.
“When Dad died, Victor showed me the original documents.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
His voice cracked.
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of me?””
“No.””
He looked at Victor.
“Of him.””
The warehouse became silent.
Victor’s expression hardened.
“Careful, Ethan.””
For the first time, I saw fear in Victor’s eyes.
Not anger.
Fear.
Ethan noticed it too.
And continued.
“Victor manipulated everything.””
He looked at me.
“He changed records. He made it appear like Dad left everything to you because he knew you were easier to control.””
My mind raced.
“Why?””
“Because Dad discovered what Victor was doing.””
“What was he doing?””
Ethan looked down.
“Stealing from the company.””
Victor suddenly stepped forward.
“That’s enough.””
“No.””
Ethan looked at him.
“I spent ten years being afraid of you.””
Victor’s face darkened.
“You ungrateful little—”
I interrupted.
“You killed my father.””
Nobody moved.
The words hung in the air.
Victor stared at me.
Then smiled.
“You finally figured it out.””
My heart stopped.
“You admit it?””
“I admit nothing.””
“But you just—”
“I said you figured it out.””
Victor stepped closer.
“Your father was going to expose me.””
Lily covered her mouth.
I felt something inside me collapse.
My father.
My family.
Everything I believed about my past was changing.
“You destroyed my life.””
Victor shook his head.
“No.””
He pointed at me.
“You destroyed mine.””
I looked at him.
“You’re insane.””
“Maybe.””
He smiled.
“But I waited ten years.””
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
A few seconds later, his expression changed.
“What?””
A pause.
“No.””
Everyone noticed.
Something had gone wrong.
Victor turned toward the warehouse entrance.
“You were supposed to watch the house.””
My heart jumped.
The house?
Lily was already here.
Who else was he talking about?
Victor ended the call.
For the first time, he looked nervous.
I took a step forward.
“What happened?””
He stared at me.
Then smiled coldly.
“Your wife.””
My eyes narrowed.
“Vanessa?””
“She betrayed me.””
I looked at Ethan.
Then Victor.
The pieces started moving.
Vanessa wasn’t simply following orders.
She had her own plan.
Victor grabbed Lily’s chair and pulled her closer.
“She thought she could replace me.””
My chest tightened.
“What does that mean?””
Victor looked toward the door.
“It means while you were chasing me…”
May you like
He smiled.
“Vanessa was taking everything.””
