Chapter 8: The Man Behind the Mask
The location was an abandoned warehouse near the edge of Chicago.
I knew it was a trap.
Everyone knew it was a trap.
My father knew it.
Patricia knew it.
Even Emma knew it.
But none of us could ignore the photograph.
Ethan was there.
And he looked like someone who had lost control of everything.
“We call the police,” my father said.
I looked at the picture again.
“He might not have time.””
My father’s expression softened.
“You still care about him.””
I didn’t answer.
Because I didn’t know.
I hated him.
I missed him.
I feared him.
All at the same time.
Patricia stood.
“I’ll go.””
Everyone looked at her.
“You?””
She nodded.
“He’ll trust me.””
My father shook his head.
“No one goes alone.””
Two hours later, we arrived near the warehouse.
My father’s team stayed hidden nearby.
I entered with Patricia.
The inside smelled like dust and rusted metal.
“Ethan?”” Patricia called.
No answer.
We walked deeper.
Then a voice came from the shadows.
“Mom?””
Ethan stepped forward.
My heart stopped.
He looked terrible.
His shirt was torn.
A bruise covered his cheek.
The same cheek I had slapped.
But his eyes were different.
No arrogance.
No anger.
Just exhaustion.
When he saw me, he froze.
“You came.””
I stared at him.
“Why?””
His jaw tightened.
“Because you needed to know.””
Patricia stepped forward.
“Who did this?””
Ethan looked away.
“Someone we all know.””
My stomach tightened.
“Who?””
Before he could answer, the warehouse door slammed shut.
Lights flickered.
A voice echoed.
“You always were bad at following instructions, Ethan.””
Ethan’s face changed.
Fear.
Real fear.
I turned.
A man stepped from the darkness.
I recognized him immediately.
My father’s business partner.
Richard Cole.
The man who had attended our wedding.
The man who hugged my father and called me “family.””
My father’s trusted friend.
Richard smiled.
“Hello, Claire.””
My blood ran cold.
“How long?””
He tilted his head.
“How long what?””
“How long have you been using us?””
He laughed.
“Using?””
He walked closer.
“I prefer the word investing.””
Ethan stepped in front of me.
Richard smiled.
“Still pretending to be the hero?””
Ethan’s voice was cold.
“Leave her out of this.””
Richard laughed.
“You married her.””
His eyes moved to me.
“You brought her into this.””
I looked at Ethan.
“You knew?””
Ethan looked ashamed.
“I knew something was wrong.””
“Then why didn’t you tell me?””
His answer came quietly.
“Because every person I trusted was already compromised.””
Richard clapped slowly.
“Beautiful speech.””
Then he looked at me.
“Do you know why Ethan approached you?””
My heart sank.
I didn’t answer.
Richard smiled.
“Because your father built an empire.””
He stepped closer.
“And empires have enemies.””
Ethan interrupted.
“Don’t listen to him.””
Richard ignored him.
“He found evidence that I was moving money from your father’s company.””
I looked at Ethan.
“And you?””
Ethan swallowed.
“I tried to get close enough to prove it.””
My voice broke.
“So I was a target.””
“No.””
“Yes.””
He looked at me.
“You were the only thing that made me hesitate.””
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Richard pulled out his phone.
“You know what’s funny?””
He smiled.
“Your sister thought she was controlling the situation.””
My heart dropped.
“What?””
Richard laughed.
“She brought Ethan to you because she wanted power.””
Emma’s betrayal suddenly felt even darker.
“But she never understood something.””
He looked at Ethan.
“He was never loyal to her.””
The warehouse doors suddenly shook.
My father’s team had arrived.
Richard looked annoyed.
Then he whispered:
“This isn’t over.””
He threw something onto the floor.
Smoke filled the room.
I coughed.
Someone grabbed my arm.
I thought it was Ethan.
But when the smoke cleared…
May you like
Ethan was gone.
And so was Richard.
