Chapter 6 - The Betrayal Inside the BetrayalDerek was arrested that evening.
He didn't resist.
When I saw him through the interview room glass, he looked smaller.
Tired.
Afraid.
The detective entered first.
I remained outside.
Then Derek asked:
“Is Rachel here?”
I stepped inside.
He looked at me.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
“Where is my father's research?”
“I don't have it.”
“Victor says you do.”
“Victor is lying.”
“Why?”
“Because he wants a deal.”
I sat across from him.
“Tell me the truth.”
Derek looked down.
“I never wanted you hurt.”
I stared at him.
“You drugged me.”
“I didn't know what Victor gave you.”
“You stood there while Kayla shaved my head.”
“I thought it would make you leave.”
“You tried to steal my money.”
“I was drowning.”
“You planned to destroy me.”
He shook his head.
“No.”
“Then explain Project Rachel.”
He closed his eyes.
“I didn't write that.”
“Who did?”
“Victor.”
“And you agreed.”
“Yes.”
There it was.
The truth.
Not innocence.
Not coercion.
A choice.
“You betrayed me.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He looked at me.
“Because I was jealous.”
I frowned.
“Of what?”
“Your father.”
I didn't understand.
“You always talked about him.”
“He was everything to you.”
“He was my father.”
“I knew I would never matter as much as he did.”
I stared at him.
“So you destroyed the woman who loved you because you couldn't compete with a dead man?”
He began crying.
“I was stupid.”
“Yes.”
“I was selfish.”
“Yes.”
“I thought money would solve everything.”
“No.”
He looked at me.
“What?”
“Money didn't destroy you.”
I stood.
“You did.”
I walked out.
Before I reached the hallway, he called my name.
“Rachel.”
I turned.
“I never had the research.”
“Then who does?”
He swallowed.
“Kayla.”
My heart stopped.
Kayla was found the next morning.
She had been hiding at a motel outside the city.
When police entered, she surrendered immediately.
The research was hidden inside a locked safe.
She gave them the key.
But there was one condition.
She wanted immunity.
The prosecutor refused.
Instead, she agreed to cooperate.
And what she revealed was devastating.
Victor had recruited her.
Derek had agreed to help.
But the final plan had changed.
Victor intended to kill me after obtaining the research.
Kayla had discovered the plan two weeks earlier.
That's why she contacted me.
She had been afraid.
I asked her one question.
“Why did you still shave my head?”
She looked ashamed.
“Because I wanted to humiliate you.”
I stared at her.
“Why?”
“Because I hated you.”
“Why?”
“Because you had everything.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
She looked confused.
“You thought I had everything.”
May you like
I walked away.
The difference mattered.
