Chapter 14: The Last Betrayal
Marcus stood in the doorway.
Nobody spoke.
Ethan stared at him.
“You.””
Marcus looked exhausted.
Not angry.
Not surprised.
Just tired.
“I hoped you would understand.””
Ethan tightened his grip on the hard drive.
“You led us here.””
Marcus looked at Diane.
“I had no choice.””
Ray stepped forward.
“Everyone says that.””
Marcus looked at him.
“You have no idea what I sacrificed.””
Ethan laughed bitterly.
“You betrayed me.””
“No.””
Marcus shook his head.
“I protected you.””
“By hiding the truth?””
“By keeping you alive.””
The argument echoed through the underground chamber.
Diane looked between them.
“Marcus, tell me the truth.””
He looked at her.
“The truth is your son was never the target.””
Ethan froze.
“What?””
Marcus walked toward the table.
“The company didn’t care about the files at first.””
“Then what did they care about?””
Marcus looked at Diane.
“They cared about who created the backup.””
Everyone went silent.
Diane looked confused.
“I don’t understand.””
Marcus opened another folder.
Inside were documents.
Not about Ethan.
About Diane.
Ray looked at the papers.
“Diane?””
She took them.
Her face changed.
“I…”
Ethan stepped closer.
“What is it?””
Diane couldn’t speak.
Marcus answered.
“Your mother was the original whistleblower.””
Ethan stared.
“What?””
“She discovered the company years before you did.””
Diane shook her head.
“I was trying to stop them.””
“Yes.””
Marcus nodded.
“And when they found out, they threatened Ethan.””
Diane covered her mouth.
“They used my son against me.””
Marcus looked at Ethan.
“That’s why I helped him disappear.””
Ethan looked confused.
“Then why hide this from me?””
“Because you would have gone after them.””
“I had a right to know.””
Marcus looked away.
“I was trying to give you a life.””
A loud crash interrupted them.
Someone had entered the tunnel.
Ray looked toward the door.
“How much time do we have?””
Marcus checked his phone.
“Not much.””
Diane looked at the evidence.
“What happens now?””
Marcus pointed to the hard drive.
“We release everything.””
Ethan looked surprised.
“You said we couldn’t.””
“I was wrong.””
For the first time, Marcus sounded defeated.
“I spent years running from them.””
He looked at Ethan.
“You spent years hiding.””
A small smile appeared.
“Maybe it’s time we stop.””
The sound of footsteps grew louder.
Ray grabbed a box of files.
“Where do we go?””
Ethan looked at the tunnel.
“There’s another exit.””
Diane looked at him.
“You knew?””
“Yes.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
Ethan looked at her.
“Because I wanted one place that was still safe.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I’m sorry.””
Ethan nodded.
“I know.””
They moved quickly.
Behind them, the chamber door opened.
A man’s voice echoed.
“Running again, Ethan?””
Everyone stopped.
Daniel.
Alive.
Standing at the entrance.
Diane turned.
“You.””
Daniel smiled.
“Hello, Diane.””
Ethan stepped forward.
“You’re the one behind this.””
Daniel shook his head.
“No.””
He looked at Marcus.
“Ask him.””
Everyone turned.
Marcus went still.
Daniel smiled.
“Your friend has been lying to you too.””
Ethan looked at Marcus.
“No.””
Daniel continued.
“He didn’t save you.””
He stepped closer.
“He made sure the files stayed hidden.””
Marcus shouted:
“Don’t listen to him.””
Daniel laughed.
“Why?””
He pointed at Marcus.
“Because he’s afraid you’ll find out who really ordered your disappearance.””
Ethan stared.
“Who?””
Daniel looked directly at Marcus.
“Ask him.””
May you like
Marcus said nothing.
And that silence was the answer.
