Chapter 8 - The Secret Matthew's Father Took to His GraveMatthew spent the next hour searching through old family archives.
He found the document just before midnight.
A private memorandum.
Signed by Daniel Carranza.
My father's name appeared in the middle.
The instruction was simple:
Neutralize Vargas before the transfer becomes public.
I stared at the page.
“Your father ordered my father's murder.”
Matthew nodded.
“I didn't know.”
“How could you not know?”
“He hid everything.”
I felt betrayed.
“You asked me to trust you.”
“I know.”
“And your family killed mine.”
“Not me.”
“Your father.”
“Yes.”
“What difference does that make?”
He looked at me.
“It makes every difference to me.”
“You don't get to tell me how to feel.”
“I won't.”
“Then leave.”
He froze.
“What?”
“Leave me alone.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because Isabel is still coming.”
“I don't care.”
“You should.”
“No.”
I looked at him.
“I spent my whole life living inside lies created by people like your father.”
His voice was quiet.
“I know.”
“You don't.”
“My father killed yours.”
“I know.”
“And if you want me gone, I'll go.”
He turned.
I expected relief.
Instead, I felt panic.
“Matthew.”
He stopped.
I swallowed.
“Don't.”
He looked back.
“I don't want you gone.”
Something shifted between us.
He stepped closer.
“You should hate me.”
“I don't hate you.”
“Why?”
“Because you aren't him.”
He was silent.
“I don't know what this is.”
“Neither do I.”
He reached for my hand.
I didn't pull away.
Then the lights went out.
The windows shattered.
Gunfire filled the room.
Matthew pulled me down.
Security returned fire.
A grenade rolled through the doorway.
He grabbed it.
Threw it back.
The explosion shook the house.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
He checked me anyway.
Then his blood appeared on his sleeve.
“Matthew.”
“I'm fine.”
“You're bleeding.”
“Later.”
He looked at the doorway.
“Get your mother.”
We moved through the basement.
Outside, cars were waiting.
Gabriel was behind the wheel.
“Get in!”
We climbed inside.
The city became a blur.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Safe location.”
“Who attacked us?”
Gabriel looked at Matthew.
“Ambrose.”
“Why?”
“Because the document was found.”
Matthew frowned.
“He knows we have it.”
“Then the trust is the only leverage left.”
Gabriel nodded.
“Yes.”
We reached an old warehouse.
Inside was a command center.
Maps.
Screens.
Files.
My mother sat at the table.
She looked at me.
“You know.”
“Yes.”
She closed her eyes.
“My husband wanted to protect you.”
“So did mine.”
She looked at Matthew.
“I am sorry.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
My mother took my hand.
“There's one thing we haven't told you.”
“What?”
“The final condition of Project Avalon.”
I frowned.
“What condition?”
“You can't activate it alone.”
“Then who?”
She looked at Matthew.
“An heir from the Carranza family must authorize the transfer.”
I stared.
Matthew looked at his brother.
Gabriel shook his head.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because it means one of us becomes legally responsible for the destruction of both empires.”
Matthew stepped forward.
“I'll do it.”
I turned.
“You don't have to.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He looked at me.
“Because your father saved my family.”
He paused.
“And because I love you.”
Silence.
I stared.
He didn't look away.
“You love me?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“I don't know.”
His voice softened.
“Maybe the first time I saw you leave that window.”
I laughed through tears.
“That isn't romantic.”
“It was to me.”
I looked down.
“I love you too.”
He kissed me.
For one moment, the war disappeared.
Then the warehouse doors exploded.
Isabel entered with armed men.
And beside her stood Richard Ambrose.
“Beautiful,” Isabel said.
May you like
She smiled.
“Now sign.”
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