Chapter 11 - THE FATHER'S CONFESSION
Daniel's gun pointed directly at Adrian.
Elena stood between them.
“Dad, put it down.”
Daniel's hands trembled.
“Move.”
“No.”
“Move, Elena.”
Adrian stepped forward.
Daniel aimed at him.
“Don't.”
Adrian stopped.
Elena looked at her father.
“Why are you doing this?”
Daniel's eyes filled with tears.
“Because I have no choice.”
“You always say that!”
“I know.”
“Then make a choice!”
Daniel looked broken.
Adrian watched him carefully.
“Who has your family?”
Daniel's eyes flickered.
Adrian understood.
“Your wife.”
Daniel said nothing.
Elena froze.
“My mother?”
Daniel's voice cracked.
“They have her.”
Elena stared.
“She died.”
“No.”
Daniel lowered the gun slightly.
“She has been alive for six years.”
Elena's world seemed to stop.
“Where is she?”
“I don't know.”
“Dad!”
“I don't know!”
He wiped his face.
“Richard took her.”
“Why?”
“Because she found out the truth.”
“What truth?”
Daniel looked at Adrian.
“Your father didn't die alone.”
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
“Who was with him?”
“Your mother.”
“And?”
“Your mother tried to save him.”
Daniel looked at Elena.
“Your mother helped her.”
Adrian stared.
“What?”
“Both women were trying to stop Richard.”
“Then why did you betray my father?”
Daniel shook his head.
“I didn't.”
“Victoria says you did.”
“Victoria was forced to believe that.”
Adrian's expression changed.
Daniel continued.
“Richard created false evidence. He made it appear that I had sold information to the organization.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
“Then why did you disappear?”
“Because Richard threatened Elena's mother.”
Adrian lowered his weapon.
Daniel looked at him.
“I took the blame so they would let her live.”
Elena whispered:
“Where is my mother?”
Daniel shook his head.
“I don't know.”
Then a voice came from the hospital speakers.
“Daniel.”
Everyone froze.
Richard.
His voice echoed through the building.
“Your daughter is beautiful.”
Elena looked up.
Richard continued.
“Just like her mother.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“Stop.”
“Come to the roof.”
“No.”
“Or your wife dies.”
Elena grabbed her father's arm.
“Don't go.”
Daniel looked at her.
“I have to.”
“No!”
He pulled her into his arms.
Then he whispered:
“I am sorry.”
He pushed her away.
And ran.
Adrian grabbed Elena.
“Stay here.”
“No.”
“Elena—”
“My mother is alive.”
“I know.”
“And my father is going to die.”
Adrian looked at her.
“Then we go together.”
They reached the roof.
Daniel stood near the edge.
Richard was waiting.
Beside him stood a woman.
Older.
Weak.
But alive.
Elena stopped breathing.
“Mom?”
The woman turned.
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Elena.”
Elena ran toward her.
Richard raised his gun.
Adrian stepped between them.
Richard smiled.
“You always were predictable.”
Adrian aimed.
“Let them go.”
Richard laughed.
“You have the ledger.”
Adrian said nothing.
Richard's smile faded.
“Give it to me.”
“No.”
“Then one of them dies.”
Daniel stepped forward.
“Take me.”
Richard looked at him.
“You already sacrificed six years.”
Daniel's face hardened.
“Let them go.”
Richard raised his gun.
Then a shot came from behind.
Richard fell.
Everyone turned.
Caleb stood near the stairwell.
His gun smoking.
But he wasn't looking at Richard.
He was looking at Adrian.
May you like
“Run.”
A second later, the entire roof exploded with gunfire.
