Chapter 12: Two Faces, One Enemy
We rushed upstairs.
Detective Collins moved first.
Her weapon was raised.
“Police! Show yourself!””
Silence.
Then footsteps.
Slow.
Calm.
A man appeared at the top of the stairs.
My breath stopped.
Because I was looking at my brother.
Michael.
But something was wrong.
The expression.
The posture.
The eyes.
It wasn’t the man I knew.
“Daniel.””
His voice was familiar.
But colder.
Detective Collins stepped forward.
“Identify yourself.””
The man smiled.
“You already know.””
I stared.
“Michael?””
He looked at me.
Then laughed softly.
“No.””
The room went silent.
“My name is Nathan.””
My body went numb.
He looked exactly like Michael.
Same face.
Same height.
Same voice.
But completely different.
Detective Collins immediately moved between us.
“Where is Michael?””
Nathan smiled.
“That depends.””
“Depends on what?””
“Whether you believe his story or mine.””
I clenched my fists.
“You were in my house.””
“Yes.””
“You watched my family.””
“Yes.””
“You tried to destroy Emily.””
His smile faded.
“No.””
I stepped forward.
“Then explain.””
Nathan looked around the house.
“This was supposed to be mine.””
I shook my head.
“You don’t get to walk in here after years and claim my life.””
His eyes hardened.
“Your life?””
He laughed.
“You mean the life my father stole from me?””
I stared.
“My father abandoned you.””
“Yes.””
His voice became bitter.
“And he rewarded you.””
“I didn’t know.””
“You didn’t need to know.””
The anger in his voice filled the room.
“You got everything without asking.””
I looked at him.
“And you think hurting innocent people fixes that?””
For the first time, he looked uncertain.
Then he smiled.
“You still don’t understand.””
“What?””
“I didn’t hurt Emily.””
I shook my head.
“You expect me to believe that?””
Nathan reached into his coat.
Detective Collins raised her weapon.
“Slowly.””
He pulled out a phone.
Then played a recording.
Michael’s voice filled the room.
“Emily cannot find out about Nathan.””
My face changed.
Nathan looked at me.
“Listen.””
The recording continued.
“She knows too much.””
Then another voice.
Victoria.
“She needs to disappear.””
My stomach turned.
Nathan stopped the recording.
“You thought I was the monster.””
He looked at me.
“But you never asked who wanted you to think that.””
Nobody spoke.
Detective Collins took the phone.
“We need the full recording.””
Nathan handed it over.
“Of course.””
I stared at him.
“Where is Michael?””
Nathan’s expression changed.
For the first time, he looked worried.
“I don’t know.””
That answer surprised me.
“You’re lying.””
“No.””
He looked toward the basement.
“When I came here tonight, I found something.””
“What?””
Nathan reached into his pocket.
He pulled out a small key.
“I found this hidden in Michael’s room.””
I recognized it.
The same symbol was engraved on it.
The same symbol from Claire’s documents.
“What does it open?””
Nathan looked at me.
“A place your brother never wanted anyone to find.””
Before I could ask more, my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
No one spoke.
Then a familiar voice whispered.
“Daniel.””
My blood froze.
“Michael?””
A weak breath came through the phone.
“He has been lying to you.””
I looked at Nathan.
Then Michael continued:
“Do not trust Nathan.””
The call suddenly cut off.
A second later, a message appeared.
A location.
May you like
And four words.
*Come alone. Or Emily dies.*
