Chapter 8 - The Man Damon Could Never Forgive
Victor was at the old cemetery.
Standing in front of Javier Reyes's grave.
Damon approached with Marcus, Selena, and Rafael.
Victor did not run.
“I knew you'd come.”
Damon stared.
“Why did you lie to me?”
Victor shook his head.
“I lied to keep you alive.”
“You kidnapped Selena.”
“No.”
“You stole Ruby.”
“No.”
“Then what did you do?”
Victor turned.
“I protected your family from your father.”
He revealed the truth.
Javier had ordered Daniel's murder.
Rafael had not killed him.
Victor had tried to stop it.
He failed.
Then Javier discovered Ruby.
He wanted the child because of the genetic cipher.
Victor secretly moved Ruby and Selena to safety.
But the Circle found them anyway.
Victor was forced to become the villain.
He planted misleading evidence.
He manipulated security.
He scared Selena into leaving.
All to force Damon into opening his father's secrets.
Damon listened.
Then asked.
“Why not tell me?”
“Because I didn't know whether you were part of them.”
Damon's face hardened.
“You knew me for fourteen years.”
Victor's eyes filled with tears.
“And I knew what your father made men become.”
He handed Damon a file.
Inside was Javier's confession.
He had ordered the deaths.
He had orchestrated Rafael's disappearance.
He had used Victor.
He had planned to use Damon as his successor.
Damon's hands shook.
“I almost became him.”
Victor nodded.
“But you didn't.”
Damon looked at Selena.
Then Ruby.
Then Marcus.
He understood.
Every choice mattered.
Adrian arrived with federal agents.
The Circle was finally exposed.
But Adrian attempted to escape.
Rafael stopped him.
The two brothers fought in the cemetery.
Adrian revealed one final secret.
“Rafael betrayed all of you.”
Damon looked over.
Rafael froze.
Adrian laughed.
“He didn't save Selena.”
“He did.”
“No.”
Adrian pointed at Ruby.
“He gave her to Daniel.”
Silence.
Rafael looked at Selena.
She stared.
“Is that true?”
Rafael closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
Selena's face collapsed.
He explained.
Years ago, he believed keeping Ruby with him would make her a target.
So he asked Daniel to raise her as his own.
Daniel agreed.
That was why Daniel became a target.
He protected Ruby until the end.
Selena cried.
Rafael apologized.
“I thought I was saving her.”
“You destroyed our family.”
“I know.”
Damon stepped between them.
“Enough.”
He looked at Rafael.
“You'll answer for everything.”
Rafael nodded.
He did not resist when federal agents approached.
For the first time, he accepted responsibility.
Damon turned to Selena.
“I don't know what happens next.”
She wiped her tears.
“Neither do I.”
He reached for her hand.
“But I know what I want.”
“What?”
“You and Ruby.”
Selena stared at him.
Damon lowered his voice.
“I want you safe.”
“That isn't the same as love.”
“No.”
He looked at her.
May you like
“It's more than that.”
She understood.
