Chapter 5 - Leo Was Never the Real Target—Harper Was, and Her Father Had Been Watching Her for Years
Harper returned to the house where her childhood had ended.
The building stood abandoned at the edge of town.
The windows were broken.
The roof had partially collapsed.
She remembered the smell of smoke.
She remembered her mother's hand.
She remembered someone carrying her outside.
But she didn't remember her father.
Because everyone had told her he died that night.
Now someone claimed he was alive.
Roman followed her.
“You said alone.”
“I know.”
“So why did you come?”
“Because I don't trust anyone.”
He looked at her.
“Good.”
“You're not offended?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I taught you that.”
She almost smiled.
They entered the house.
The basement door was open.
Harper descended.
A light flickered.
Then she heard a voice.
“Harper.”
She stopped.
A man stepped from the shadows.
Older.
Gray-haired.
Scar across his jaw.
Harper knew him instantly.
She dropped the flashlight.
“Dad?”
Thomas Evans looked at her.
“My little girl.”
Harper couldn't move.
Then she ran.
She struck his chest.
“You're alive.”
“Yes.”
“You lied.”
“Yes.”
“You let me think you were dead.”
“Yes.”
She hit him again.
He accepted it.
Then she collapsed against him.
He held her.
“I am sorry.”
Roman watched from the doorway.
Thomas looked at him.
“Ronan Moretti.”
Roman raised his weapon.
“You know me.”
“I knew your father.”
Thomas sat.
“Then start talking.”
Thomas told them everything.
He had worked with Roman's father and Harper's mother.
They discovered Victor's network.
They found the ledger.
They planned to expose him.
Then Victor found them.
He killed Harper's mother.
He arranged the deaths of Roman's parents.
He tried to kill Thomas.
Thomas survived.
But he knew that if Victor believed Harper had died too, she might remain safe.
So Thomas disappeared.
He watched her from afar.
He paid her school fees anonymously.
He followed her career.
He knew about Leo.
He knew about Roman.
Harper's anger returned.
“You watched me struggle.”
“I watched you survive.”
“You could have helped.”
“I did.”
“Not enough.”
Thomas lowered his eyes.
“You're right.”
Roman asked, “Why didn't you come back when Victor started using Leo?”
Thomas looked at him.
“Because I knew you would protect her.”
Roman frowned.
“That was your plan?”
“My plan was to make sure my daughter had someone powerful enough to keep her alive.”
Harper looked at Roman.
“You chose him?”
Thomas nodded.
“Not because he's powerful.”
“Because he is loyal.”
Roman said nothing.
Thomas continued.
“Six months ago, I contacted Roman.”
Harper froze.
“What?”
“I told him Victor was going after Leo.”
Roman looked at her.
“I didn't know Thomas was your father.”
Harper's eyes narrowed.
“You knew him.”
“I knew someone was protecting you.”
“You still lied.”
“Yes.”
She looked at her father.
“And you?”
Thomas nodded.
“Yes.”
Harper laughed bitterly.
“Everyone in my life has been lying to me.”
Thomas reached into his coat.
He gave her an envelope.
Inside was an old photograph.
Harper's mother.
Roman's father.
Thomas.
And a fourth person.
Harper stared.
The fourth person was Victor.
But there was another photograph behind it.
A baby.
Harper.
Being held by Roman's mother.
Harper frowned.
“Why was Maria holding me?”
Thomas looked at Roman.
“Because she was the one who saved you.”
Roman's eyes widened.
“What?”
“After the fire, Victor wanted Harper dead.”
“Maria took her.”
“She hid her.”
“She gave her to me later.”
Thomas looked at Harper.
“Your mother trusted Maria.”
Harper whispered.
“Then Maria has been protecting me too.”
“Yes.”
The pieces were finally connecting.
Roman's mother had not merely hidden.
She had protected Harper.
Thomas had protected Harper.
Roman had protected Leo.
And somehow, all of them had been fighting the same enemy without knowing the full truth.
Then a sound came from upstairs.
Footsteps.
Roman raised his gun.
Thomas whispered.
“Too late.”
The basement door opened.
Victor stood there.
Beside him was Leo.
Harper's heart stopped.
Victor smiled.
“You've all been so busy discovering the past.”
He raised his gun.
“You forgot about the present.”
Roman stepped forward.
Victor pointed at Leo.
“Move and he dies.”
Harper raised her hands.
“Let him go.”
Victor laughed.
“Still trying to save everyone.”
He looked at Thomas.
“You should have stayed dead.”
Then he looked at Roman.
“You should have stayed obedient.”
Finally, he looked at Harper.
“And you should have stayed an accountant.”
He pulled out the master ledger.
Harper's eyes widened.
“You have it.”
Victor smiled.
“Yes.”
Then he burned one page.
Roman moved.
Victor fired.
The bullet struck Thomas.
“Dad!”
Harper screamed.
Roman tackled Victor.
Leo ran.
Gunfire erupted.
Victor escaped through the basement tunnel.
Thomas lay bleeding.
Harper dropped beside him.
Roman called an ambulance.
Thomas grabbed her hand.
“Listen.”
“No.”
“Listen.”
She leaned closer.
Thomas whispered.
“The ledger isn't the real evidence.”
“What is?”
“The necklace.”
Harper touched the pendant.
“There's another compartment.”
She opened it.
Inside was a tiny key.
Thomas smiled.
“The vault.”
Then he lost consciousness.
Harper looked at Roman.
“What vault?”
Roman stared at the key.
He knew.
“The Moretti family vault.”
Harper swallowed.
“What's inside?”
May you like
Roman's face became grim.
“Everything Victor was willing to kill for.”
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