Chapter 7: The Meeting My Father Tried to Stop
My father wanted me nowhere near that address.
That was the first thing he said.
“No.””
Just one word.
Cold.
Immediate.
I stared at him across the dealership office.
“You didn’t even think about it.””
“I don’t need to.””
“Why?””
“Because Lucian is not asking for a meeting.””
My father took the phone from my hand.
“He’s setting a trap.””
I crossed my arms.
“Then why does he have information about Mom?””
His expression changed.
Only slightly.
But I saw it.
Pain.
Fear.
A memory he had spent years burying.
“Valeria.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“You don’t get to tell me to stay away anymore.””
His jaw tightened.
“I’m your father.””
“And I’m the person this is about.””
The room went silent.
For years, my father had protected me from everything.
Bad news.
Business problems.
People who wanted something from him.
But I was no longer a child.
And I was tired of discovering pieces of my own life from strangers.
“I deserve to know the truth,” I said.
My father looked away.
“You deserve a peaceful life.””
“That’s not the same thing.””
He closed his eyes.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he said quietly:
“I lost your mother because I thought I could control every danger around us.””
My heart stopped.
“You told me it was an accident.””
“It was.””
“But?””
He looked at me.
“But someone caused the situation.””
The words felt heavier than I expected.
Someone caused it.
Not an accident.
Not random.
Someone.
“Who?””
My father didn’t answer.
That was the answer.
I grabbed my coat.
“I’m going.””
He immediately stood.
“No.””
“Dad.””
“Valeria, listen to me.””
“I have listened my entire life.””
My voice cracked.
“I listened when you said everything was fine. I listened when you said there were no secrets. I listened when you told me not to ask questions.””
I looked at the phone.
“But I’m done listening to silence.””
My father stared at me.
Then he did something unexpected.
He picked up his coat.
“I’m coming with you.””
I shook my head.
“The message said alone.””
“I don’t care.””
“You should.””
He stopped.
Because he knew what I meant.
If Lucian wanted him there, it was because Lucian wanted a reaction.
If Lucian wanted me there alone, it was because he wanted to tell me something my father didn’t want me to hear.
“I’ll follow behind,” my father finally said.
I nodded.
It wasn’t agreement.
It was the only compromise I would accept.
The address led us to an abandoned factory outside the city.
A place that looked forgotten by time.
Broken windows.
Rusting metal.
Empty parking spaces.
The kind of place where old secrets stayed buried.
I walked inside.
The air smelled like dust and old machinery.
“Valeria.””
I turned.
Lucian stood near the center of the building.
Alone.
No guards.
No threats.
Just him.
“You came.””
I looked around.
“You sound surprised.””
“I am.””
“Why?””
“Because Adrian always taught you to be careful.””
I stepped closer.
“My father also taught me to find the truth.””
Lucian smiled faintly.
“That sounds like him.””
“You said you knew about my mother.””
His expression changed.
The confidence disappeared.
Replaced by something darker.
“I knew her.””
My chest tightened.
“How?””
Lucian looked toward the broken windows.
“She was the only person who ever saw what Adrian and I really were.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
“It means your father wasn’t always the man everyone believes he is.””
I shook my head.
“You’re trying to make me hate him.””
“No.””
Lucian looked at me.
“I’m trying to stop you from worshipping him.””
The words bothered me because they sounded honest.
“What happened between you two?””
Lucian walked toward an old table.
He placed a small box on it.
“Your father told you we had a business disagreement.””
“He said you blamed him.””
“I did.””
“Why?””
Lucian opened the box.
Inside was a necklace.
My mother’s necklace.
I froze.
“Where did you get that?””
Lucian looked at it.
“Your mother gave it to me.””
My entire body went cold.
“That’s impossible.””
“Is it?””
“My mother loved my father.””
“I know.””
“Then why would she give you this?””
Lucian didn’t answer immediately.
Then he said:
“Because she discovered the truth.””
“What truth?””
Before he could respond, the factory doors slammed shut.
I turned.
My father stood there.
He had followed me.
Of course he had.
Lucian sighed.
“You never could stay away, Adrian.””
My father looked furious.
“Stay away from my daughter.””
Lucian laughed.
“Still giving orders.””
“What did you tell her?””
“The truth.””
My father stepped forward.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.””
Lucian held up the necklace.
“Then explain this.””
My father froze.
And that reaction told me everything.
“Dad?””
He didn’t answer.
“Why do you know that necklace?””
The silence became unbearable.
Lucian looked at me.
“You see?””
He lowered his voice.
“He never told you.””
My father’s face hardened.
“Lucian.””
“No.””
Lucian looked at me.
“Ask him where your mother was the night she died.””
My heart sank.
Because my father’s expression changed.
Not anger.
Not confusion.
Fear.
And I knew.
May you like
Whatever happened that night…
My father had never told me the whole story.
