Chapter 4: The Name on the Paper
I spent the entire night staring at that name.
The person who might know why my accident happened.
The person who might have been hiding the truth.
My own brother.
Michael Carter.
The man who visited me every day in the hospital.
The man who cried when doctors told me I might never walk again.
The man who told me, “We’ll get through this together.””
I called him at 7:12 in the morning.
He answered immediately.
“Daniel?””
His voice sounded tired.
“Did you know?””
A pause.
“What are you talking about?””
“My accident.””
Silence.
Not confusion.
Not surprise.
Silence.
That was worse.
“Michael.””
He sighed.
“Where did you get that information?””
I closed my eyes.
“So you do know something.””
“Daniel, listen to me.””
“No.””
My voice cracked.
“I listened for three years.””
I heard him breathe heavily.
“I was trying to protect you.””
“From what?””
He didn’t answer.
“Michael.””
Finally, he said:
“Meet me.””
“Where?””
“Somewhere private.””
I almost refused.
But I needed the truth.
Two hours later, we sat in an empty coffee shop.
Michael looked older.
Like carrying a secret had aged him.
“I should have told you.””
“Yes.””
“I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
He looked at the table.
“Of losing you.””
I laughed quietly.
“You already did.””
He looked hurt.
Good.
I needed him to understand.
Michael pulled out a folder.
“I found this after your accident.””
My heart stopped.
“What is it?””
He pushed it toward me.
Inside were photographs.
Documents.
Messages.
The first page showed a payment record.
A large amount of money.
From a company connected to Claire’s father.
My hands went cold.
“Why would they pay someone?””
Michael looked at me.
“Because someone was supposed to make sure you never exposed what happened at your company.””
I frowned.
“My company?””
Before he could answer, the coffee shop door opened.
A man entered.
Tall.
Dark jacket.
Watching us.
Michael immediately stood.
“Daniel, go.””
I looked at him.
“What?””
“Go now.””
The man started walking toward us.
Michael grabbed the folder.
“Take the back exit.””
I didn’t move.
“Who is that?””
Michael’s face turned pale.
“Victor.””
The name felt like a punch.
The man from the photograph.
The man who had been controlling Claire.
Victor stopped several feet away.
He smiled.
“Daniel Carter.””
I looked at him.
“How do you know me?””
He tilted his head.
“Because I’ve known you longer than you think.””
Michael stepped between us.
“You need to leave.””
Victor laughed.
“Still protecting him?””
He looked at me.
“Your brother has always been loyal.””
My fingers tightened.
“What do you want?””
Victor smiled.
“I want you to stop searching.””
“Why?””
“Because some truths destroy everyone involved.””
I stared at him.
“You mean you.””
His smile disappeared.
For a second, anger flashed across his face.
Then he recovered.
“You really are different now.””
“Different?””
“Yes.””
He looked down at my wheelchair.
“But I suppose losing your legs gave you something unexpected.””
I said nothing.
“What?””
“Nothing.””
Victor smiled.
“You stopped being afraid.””
The police sirens suddenly sounded outside.
Victor glanced toward the window.
Then back at me.
“This isn’t over.””
He walked away.
Michael watched him leave.
Then whispered:
“Daniel…”
I looked at him.
“What?””
He hesitated.
“The accident wasn’t random.””
I already knew.
But hearing it made it real.
Michael continued.
“You weren’t the target.””
A chill ran through me.
“Then who was?””
He looked at me.
And before he answered, his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
His face changed.
“What?””
I watched him listen.
Then his hand began shaking.
“Where?””
A pause.
“No, don’t touch anything. I’m coming.””
He ended the call.
“Michael?””
He looked at me.
“The person who can prove everything…”
His voice broke.
“They were found.””
“Who?””
He grabbed his coat.
“Your father’s old business partner.””
I froze.
“My father died ten years ago.””
Michael looked at me.
“That’s why this is impossible.””
He pulled out the folder again.
Inside was a photograph I hadn’t noticed before.
A man standing beside my father.
A man who was supposed to be dead.
Michael whispered:
May you like
“Because the person who caused your accident…”
“…was someone who officially died before you were even born.””
