Chapter 5 - THE TRAPDaniel pretended to surrender.
Marcus took him to an abandoned warehouse.
Lucas and Sarah remained hidden.
The plan was simple.
Daniel would keep Marcus talking.
Sarah would send evidence to the authorities.
But Marcus had prepared too.
He knew about Sarah.
He knew about the journalist.
He knew about the files.
He knew everything.
“You think you're clever,” Marcus said.
Daniel stared at him.
“No.”
Marcus smiled.
“That is the first honest thing you've said.”
“Where is Eleanor?”
“Alive.”
“Bring her here.”
“You're not in a position to demand anything.”
Daniel looked around.
“You stole my company.”
Marcus laughed.
“I built it.”
“You stole from it.”
“I protected it.”
“You murdered people.”
Marcus's face hardened.
“I protected the family.”
“By killing Eleanor?”
“She chose this.”
“No.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“You chose it.”
Marcus looked at him.
“You were weak.”
“I trusted you.”
“That was your weakness.”
Daniel's eyes filled with anger.
Marcus continued.
“You couldn't make decisions after Eleanor died.”
“I was grieving.”
“You were useless.”
Marcus smiled.
“So I took control.”
Daniel understood.
Marcus hadn't just wanted money.
He wanted to replace him.
Become the family.
Erase Daniel.
Then he revealed the final secret.
Eleanor had discovered that Marcus had been using the company to finance illegal land acquisitions.
Several politicians were involved.
Several executives.
The evidence could destroy them all.
Marcus had spent five years keeping Eleanor hidden.
But now Lucas had found Daniel.
The entire plan was collapsing.
A door opened.
Eleanor walked in.
Daniel stopped breathing.
She looked older.
Thinner.
Her hair was streaked with gray.
But it was her.
His wife.
Alive.
She looked at him.
“Daniel.”
He couldn't speak.
She crossed the room.
They stood inches apart.
Then Daniel whispered:
“I buried you.”
Eleanor cried.
“I know.”
“I mourned you.”
“I know.”
“I hated myself.”
“I know.”
He touched her face.
“You're real.”
She smiled through tears.
“Yes.”
Marcus watched them.
“This is touching.”
Eleanor turned.
“You'll never understand.”
Marcus raised his gun.
Daniel stepped forward.
Then a voice came from behind him.
“Drop it.”
Federal agents entered.
Sarah had succeeded.
The warehouse was surrounded.
Marcus froze.
He looked at Daniel.
“You betrayed me.”
Daniel shook his head.
“No.”
He looked at Eleanor.
“I finally stopped trusting you.”
Marcus was arrested.
The corruption investigation expanded.
The company board removed him.
The illegal accounts were uncovered.
The truth finally came out.
But Daniel still had one problem.
Lucas.
The boy stood outside the warehouse.
Watching his parents.
He looked uncertain.
Daniel approached him.
“I know this is complicated.”
Lucas nodded.
Daniel crouched.
“I don't expect you to call me Dad.”
Lucas looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because I haven't earned it.”
The boy stared for several seconds.
Then whispered:
“Maybe you can start.”
Daniel smiled.
“What?”
“Being here.”
May you like
Daniel nodded.
“I can do that.”
Related Stories
