Chapter 13: The Truth Behind the Photograph
I stared at the photograph until my eyes started hurting.
My grandfather.
Alive.
Standing beside my father.
Standing beside Max.
The entire world I thought I understood suddenly felt like a story someone else had written.
“That’s impossible,” I whispered.
Victor watched my reaction carefully.
“You were told he died before you were born.””
I looked at my mother.
She looked just as shocked as I was.
“You knew my father?””
Victor’s expression changed.
Not anger.
Something closer to disappointment.
“Your mother knew only what your father allowed her to know.””
My jaw tightened.
“Stop making him sound like some hero.””
Victor looked at Max.
“Your father was trying to protect you.””
“Then why did everyone lie?””
No one answered.
That was becoming the answer.
I grabbed the photograph.
“Where was this taken?””
Victor didn’t respond.
“Where?””
“Three years ago.””
My fingers went numb.
The exact year Dad died.
Daniel stepped forward.
“You’re twisting the truth.””
Victor looked at him.
“Am I?””
Daniel’s silence bothered me.
I turned.
“Daniel?””
He looked away.
That was when I realized something.
Everyone had been protecting a different version of the truth.
Except me.
I was the only person who had been left outside.
Victor walked closer.
“Your father discovered your grandfather’s research had gone too far.””
I held the photograph tighter.
“Research involving Max?””
“Yes.””
“And my grandfather?””
Victor nodded.
“Your grandfather believed Max was the key to proving something.””
“What?””
Victor looked at the dog.
“That memory could survive beyond death.””
I stared.
“That makes no sense.””
“Your father thought the same thing.””
Victor paused.
“Until he saw Max remember.””
A cold feeling moved through me.
“What did Max remember?””
Victor looked toward Daniel.
“Tell her.””
Daniel’s face tightened.
“I don’t know everything.””
Victor smiled slightly.
“Of course you don’t.””
The tension between them was obvious.
They weren’t enemies who had just met.
They had history.
I looked at Daniel.
“Who are you really?””
He took a breath.
“I was your father’s partner.””
“Doing what?””
He hesitated.
Then finally said:
“We were trying to expose what your grandfather was doing.””
My head spun.
“You were investigating my own family?””
“Yes.””
“And Dad?””
“He joined because he realized the truth.””
Victor shook his head.
“No.””
Everyone looked at him.
“He joined because he couldn’t accept losing another person.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
Victor looked at Max.
“Your father saw what happened to your grandfather.””
Silence.
“He saw a man destroy his own life chasing something impossible.””
My hands tightened.
“You’re saying my grandfather caused all of this?””
Victor didn’t answer.
Daniel did.
“Your grandfather became obsessed with proving that memories could be transferred.””
I stared.
“That’s insane.””
“Yes.””
Daniel nodded.
“That’s why your father tried to stop him.””
I looked at Max.
“And where does Max fit in?””
Victor stepped closer.
“Max was the first successful case.””
The room went silent.
My stomach turned.
“No.””
“He wasn’t created.””
Victor’s voice softened.
“He was found.””
I waited.
“He was injured. Lost. Afraid.””
Victor looked at me.
“Your father rescued him because he saw a living creature being treated like a mistake.””
My anger weakened.
Because that sounded like Dad.
Victor continued.
“But your father discovered something after bringing him home.””
“What?””
“Max remembered.””
I frowned.
“Remembered what?””
Victor looked toward the door.
“People.””
The room became silent.
“He remembered your grandfather.””
My breath caught.
“He remembered the facility.””
Daniel whispered:
“And he remembered what happened the night your father died.””
I looked at Max.
The old dog stared back.
Then he walked toward the photograph.
He touched it with his nose.
The picture slipped from my hand.
Nobody moved.
Because everyone saw it.
Max recognized them.
Victor whispered:
“He knows.””
My phone suddenly rang.
Unknown number.
I answered without thinking.
A woman’s voice came through.
“Emily?””
I froze.
I knew that voice.
I had heard it only in old recordings.
In memories.
In dreams.
My hand started shaking.
“Who is this?””
The woman breathed softly.
Then said:
“Your father told me you would ask that.””
I couldn’t speak.
Because the voice continued.
“Emily…”
A pause.
“I’m your grandfather’s assistant.””
My heart raced.
“Where is my grandfather?””
The woman went silent.
May you like
Then:
“He’s been waiting for Max to come home.””
