Chapter 3 - The Woman Who Refused to Let Him Sacrifice HimselfMarcus called Elena at 6:30 a.m.
“Don't come to my apartment.”
“Why?”
“Just stay home.”
“No.”
“Please.”
That word stopped her.
Marcus rarely said please.
She went anyway.
His apartment had been searched.
Drawers open.
Documents scattered.
A picture frame shattered.
Elena looked around.
“Who did this?”
“I don't know.”
“You're lying.”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
Marcus sighed.
“My father's old associates.”
“What do they want?”
“You.”
Elena froze.
“Me?”
“They believe I know something about the company.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
He looked at her.
“Your father didn't die naturally.”
The room went silent.
“What?”
“Before his death, he discovered someone was siphoning money from Ward Meridian.”
“Who?”
“Jonathan.”
“My uncle.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't he tell me?”
“Because he thought they would kill you.”
Elena felt cold.
“My father died of a heart attack.”
Marcus shook his head.
“He was poisoned.”
She stared.
“No.”
“There's evidence.”
“Where?”
“Locked away.”
“Show me.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because you're the evidence.”
She frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“Your father left instructions.”
Marcus pulled a key from his pocket.
“He said if anything happened to him, I should give this to you when you were ready.”
Elena stared at it.
“What does it open?”
“A safe.”
“Where?”
“In your father's old house.”
They went there that afternoon.
The house had been abandoned for years.
Elena stood outside.
“I hate this place.”
“I know.”
“You've been here?”
“Many times.”
“Without me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because your father asked me to.”
Inside, they found the safe.
The key opened it.
Inside was a video recording.
Richard Ward appeared on screen.
Elena began crying before he spoke.
“My daughter.”
She covered her mouth.
“If you're watching this, then Marcus kept his promise.”
She looked at Marcus.
“Your father was a good man.”
Richard continued.
“He trusted Jonathan.”
A pause.
“That was his mistake.”
The recording revealed that Jonathan had built a secret network inside the company.
He had manipulated contracts.
Stolen money.
Planned a board takeover.
But the worst part came later.
Jonathan had arranged the poisoning.
Richard knew he was dying.
He had left everything to Elena.
Except the protection.
That belonged to Marcus.
Richard looked into the camera.
“Marcus, if she ever learns the truth, don't leave her.”
The recording ended.
Elena turned.
Marcus was crying.
“I've never seen you cry.”
“You weren't supposed to.”
She walked toward him.
“You could have told me.”
“I didn't want you carrying this.”
“You carried it for eight years.”
“Yes.”
“Alone.”
“Yes.”
She touched his face.
“You don't have to.”
His eyes closed.
“I'm not sure how to do anything else.”
She hugged him.
He froze.
Then his arms wrapped around her.
They stayed like that for a long time.
Then Marcus whispered,
“I love you.”
Elena pulled back.
He looked terrified.
“I shouldn't have said that.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“Don't take it back.”
He stared.
“Why?”
“Because I think I've been waiting eight years to hear it.”
He kissed her.
It was gentle.
Careful.
Almost uncertain.
And Elena realized how long she had waited to be held without having to be strong.
Then the front door exploded open.
Gunfire.
Marcus pushed her down.
“Stay behind me.”
They escaped through the back.
But the attackers had already taken something.
The video.
And one photograph.
Of Elena.
May you like
With the words:
SHE IS THE KEY.
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