Chapter 7: The Betrayal Nobody Expected
Nobody spoke.
The only sound in the apartment was the rain hitting the windows.
Thomas stood near the door, breathing heavily.
The same man who had handled my company’s legal matters for years.
The same man who had defended me.
The same man I trusted.
My mother moved closer to me.
“Daniel, don’t trust anyone right now.””
Thomas flinched.
“I understand why you’d say that.””
I looked at him.
“Do you?””
His eyes dropped.
Because he knew.
He knew exactly why I didn’t trust him.
“You knew.””
Thomas looked up.
“Knew what?””
“The contract.””
His face changed.
Not surprise.
Guilt.
“You knew about the fake agreement.””
Silence.
That was enough.
I felt something break inside me.
“Thomas.””
He closed his eyes.
“I found out recently.””
“Recently?””
My voice rose.
“You were my lawyer.””
“I was trying to investigate.””
“Without telling me?””
“I was trying to protect you.””
I laughed.
The same phrase.
Always the same phrase.
“Everyone loves protecting me.””
Thomas looked hurt.
“You don’t understand.””
“No.””
I moved closer.
“I understand perfectly.””
Michael stepped between us.
“Then explain.””
Thomas looked at the three of us.
Finally, he sat down.
“Your father knew Adrian wasn’t working alone.””
My mother froze.
“What?””
Thomas nodded.
“He believed someone inside the family was helping him.””
Nobody moved.
I looked at Michael.
Then my mother.
Then Thomas.
“Who?””
Thomas reached into his coat.
He pulled out an old envelope.
“This was found in your father’s private files.””
I opened it.
Inside was a letter.
Not from my father.
From Adrian.
The message was short.
*The deal is done. The boy will inherit everything after the accident.*
My blood turned cold.
“The boy?””
Thomas nodded.
“Someone was supposed to inherit your father’s company after you disappeared.””
I looked at him.
“Who?””
Thomas hesitated.
Then said:
“Michael.””
The room went silent.
My brother stepped back.
“What?””
I stared at him.
Michael looked horrified.
“That’s impossible.””
Thomas looked at him.
“Is it?””
Michael’s face changed.
“Daniel, listen to me.””
I couldn’t.
Every memory started replaying.
Michael at the hospital.
Michael managing my company.
Michael telling me what decisions to make.
Michael always being there.
My mother whispered:
“No…”
Thomas continued.
“Your brother wasn’t supposed to hurt you.””
Michael looked at him.
“Then why are you saying this?””
“Because someone used your name.””
Thomas opened another file.
“The original plan was for Michael to take control temporarily.””
Michael shook his head.
“I never agreed.””
Thomas nodded.
“I believe you.””
I looked at Thomas.
“Then why show me this?””
His expression became serious.
“Because Victor manipulated everyone.””
He looked at Michael.
“He convinced your brother that the accident was meant to protect the family.””
Michael looked sick.
“I thought…”
He stopped.
I stared.
“You thought what?””
Michael’s eyes filled.
“I thought your accident was an attempt to scare Dad’s enemies.””
The room froze.
“You knew about the accident before it happened?””
Michael covered his face.
“No.””
Then quietly:
“I knew someone was planning something.””
My heart sank.
“And you said nothing.””
“I didn’t know they would hurt you.””
That sentence destroyed me.
Not because he admitted it.
Because he sounded like he truly believed it.
I turned away.
Thomas stepped closer.
“Daniel, there’s more.””
I looked at him.
“What?””
He handed me another document.
A transfer record.
A payment.
The sender wasn’t Victor.
Wasn’t Claire’s father.
It was a company connected to someone else.
Someone unexpected.
My eyes widened.
“No.””
Thomas nodded.
“Yes.””
The name on the document belonged to:
Claire Whitmore.
I stared at it.
“She paid Victor?””
Thomas nodded.
“But that’s not the worst part.””
I looked up.
“What could possibly be worse?””
Thomas swallowed.
“She didn’t hire him to hurt you.””
A cold feeling spread through me.
“Then why?””
Thomas looked at the document.
“She hired him because she knew exactly what happened to you.””
I couldn’t breathe.
My mother whispered:
“Daniel…”
Thomas continued.
“Claire wasn’t a victim.””
May you like
The rain grew louder.
“She was there the night of your accident.””
