Chapter 7 - The Sister in the Basement
They found Tessa's sister in a private clinic outside the city.
She was alive.
Sedated.
Monitored.
Vincent used his connections to move her immediately.
Tessa never left her side.
For two days, Vincent watched her sit beside the bed.
He couldn't decide what hurt more.
The betrayal he had expected from Arya.
Or the secret he had never seen in Tessa.
On the third night, Tessa came into Vincent's room.
"I can leave."
He looked at her.
"Do you want to?"
"No."
"Then why are you saying it?"
"Because you deserve the choice."
Vincent was silent.
She stood there with tears in her eyes.
"I didn't come here because I wanted to spy on you."
"I know."
"I didn't know who you really were."
"Most people don't."
"When I met you, I thought you were cruel."
"I am."
She shook her head.
"Not with me."
Vincent looked away.
Tessa walked closer.
"I started caring about you."
He swallowed.
"Don't."
"Why?"
"Because I don't know how to survive another person leaving."
She sat beside him.
"I'm not leaving."
He looked at her.
"How can you promise that?"
"I can't."
"Then don't."
She took his hand.
For the first time, Vincent allowed himself to hold hers.
That night, Rafael brought new information.
Adrian was heading toward the Corvino warehouse.
He wanted the final trust code.
Vincent smiled.
"Good."
Tessa frowned.
"Good?"
"We know where he'll be."
They planned a trap.
Vincent would pretend to surrender.
Tessa would deliver the password.
Rafael would close the exits.
Arya would act as the unexpected witness.
The plan almost worked.
Almost.
Adrian arrived with twelve men.
He was older than Vincent expected.
Silver hair.
Cold eyes.
And Vincent's father's face.
Vincent stared.
"You look like him."
Adrian smiled.
"I am him."
"You killed him?"
"No."
"He died believing you were dead."
Adrian laughed.
"He died believing he won."
Vincent moved forward.
"Give me Tessa's sister."
Adrian held up a phone.
A live feed showed her hospital room.
"If I don't receive the code, she dies."
Tessa stepped forward.
"Don't."
Vincent looked at her.
Adrian smiled.
"Ah."
He pointed at her.
"That's why you were useful."
Vincent's expression darkened.
"You won't touch her."
Adrian laughed.
"You sound like your father."
Then a voice came from behind them.
"You should listen to him."
Arya.
She had a gun pointed at Adrian.
Everyone turned.
"Drop it," Adrian ordered.
"No."
"You're not brave."
Arya shook.
"I'm terrified."
She raised the gun.
"But I'm done being your pawn."
Adrian's attention shifted.
That was enough.
Rafael fired.
The room erupted.
Vincent pushed himself from the wheelchair.
For two seconds he stood.
His legs shook violently.
But he stood.
Tessa stared.
Vincent whispered:
"Run."
She grabbed his arm.
Adrian escaped through the rear corridor.
But not before shouting:
"The trust belongs to me!"
Vincent collapsed.
Tessa caught him.
"Are you okay?"
He looked up at her.
"I stood."
Tears filled her eyes.
"Yes."
He laughed.
"I actually stood."
May you like
She hugged him.
For the first time, Vincent let himself cry.
