Chapter 5 - The First Time Leon Found Camille Again, She Told Him Not to Save HerLeon found the hideout just before dawn.
He entered alone.
No weapon drawn.
No shouting.
The room was dark.
Camille sat on a chair.
Alive.
Her grandmother beside her.
Leon stopped breathing.
“Camille.”
She looked at him.
Then she cried.
He crossed the room.
She stood.
He held her.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then she hit his chest.
“You idiot.”
He laughed through tears.
“I know.”
“You took too long.”
“I looked everywhere.”
“You should have looked harder.”
“I know.”
She buried her face against him.
He held her carefully.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Did they touch you?”
“No.”
“Tell me the truth.”
She pulled back.
“Leon.”
“Yes?”
“I don't need you to kill everyone.”
His face hardened.
“I wasn't planning to.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“You have a reputation.”
“I've been trying to retire.”
“Since when?”
“Since you.”
She smiled.
Then her expression changed.
“We need to talk.”
They sat together.
Camille told him everything.
Her grandmother.
The ledger.
Victor.
Samuel.
The family history.
Leon listened.
Then he showed her his father's photograph.
Camille stared.
“My grandmother knew him.”
“Yes.”
“She knew your mother.”
“Yes.”
“Then why did everyone lie?”
“Fear.”
She nodded.
“I understand.”
“No.”
Leon touched her hand.
“You shouldn't have to.”
She looked at him.
“I love you.”
His eyes closed.
“I love you too.”
“But I need you to hear me.”
“Yes.”
“I cannot spend my life married to a man who thinks violence is the answer to everything.”
Leon nodded.
“I know.”
“I don't want an empire.”
“You won't have one.”
“I don't want bodyguards following me everywhere.”
“You'll have one.”
She glared.
He smiled.
“One.”
She laughed.
“Fine.”
He touched her face.
“I'll change.”
“You already are.”
Then the door opened.
Victor entered.
He looked at Leon.
“Good.”
Leon stood.
“You took her.”
“Yes.”
“You threatened her.”
“Yes.”
“You lied to me.”
Victor nodded.
“I did.”
“Why?”
Victor looked at Camille.
“Because she was the only person who could make you choose something other than power.”
Leon stared.
“What do you want?”
“The ledger.”
“Why?”
“To expose your father.”
“He's dead.”
“Not dead enough.”
Victor placed a folder on the table.
Inside were bank records.
Leon read them.
Victor had been moving money for years.
But the final transfer led to an account in Leon's name.
Leon froze.
“What is this?”
“Your father's last transaction.”
“No.”
“He transferred the empire to you.”
“Then why did you hide it?”
“Because I needed you to believe the empire was mine.”
Leon stared.
Victor whispered:
“You were never my son.”
That sentence hurt more than anything else.
Leon swallowed.
“Then why call me son?”
Victor's answer was quiet.
“Because after twenty years, I didn't know how else to ask you to forgive me.”
The room went silent.
Camille looked between them.
“You're not a monster.”
Victor laughed.
“I've done monstrous things.”
“Yes.”
Camille stepped forward.
“But you're still responsible for what you did.”
Victor looked at her.
She continued:
“You can stop now.”
He looked at Leon.
“I can't.”
Leon raised his weapon.
Victor didn't move.
“You're going to kill me?”
“No.”
Leon lowered it.
“I'm going to take everything you built.”
Victor smiled sadly.
“That's what your father said.”
Leon replied:
May you like
“I'm not my father.”
And that was the first moment Victor understood he had lost.
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