Chapter 11 - THE HOUSE WHERE THE TRUTH DIED
The old apartment looked smaller than Maya remembered.
That was the first thing she noticed.
The second was the feeling.
Pain lived there.
Even after eight years.
The walls.
The floor.
The broken window near the kitchen.
Everything carried memories.
Julian stood beside her.
"You don't have to go inside."
Maya looked at him.
"I do."
"Why?"
"Because I spent years running from this place."
She took a breath.
"I'm tired of running."
The words surprised him.
Because they sounded exactly like something he had told her.
I cannot help you until you stop running.
The door was already unlocked.
That alone made Julian suspicious.
"Derek."
Derek nodded.
His men searched the building.
Nothing.
Too quiet.
Julian hated quiet.
Quiet usually meant someone was waiting.
Maya entered the apartment slowly.
Her eyes moved around.
The old kitchen.
The broken table.
The corner where her mother used to sit.
She touched the wall.
"I was twenty-one."
Julian stayed silent.
"My mother couldn't breathe."
Her voice shook.
"Adrian promised he was coming back with money."
She laughed sadly.
"He never came."
Julian looked at her.
"Maya..."
"I waited all night."
A tear rolled down.
"She died holding my hand."
The room became silent.
Julian had seen death.
He had caused it.
He had witnessed it.
But seeing Maya standing in that room...
Broken by a memory she carried alone...
Affected him more than anything.
Then—
A sound.
Footsteps.
Julian instantly moved.
"Stay behind me."
Maya turned.
A man stepped from the hallway.
Older.
Tired.
Broken.
Maya stopped breathing.
"Adrian."
Her brother looked at her.
And for a moment, neither moved.
Then Maya slapped him.
The sound echoed.
Julian and Derek froze.
"You left me."
Adrian looked down.
"I know."
"You left Mom."
"I know."
"You let me believe you were dead."
His eyes filled.
"I was trying to protect you."
Maya laughed bitterly.
"Protect me?"
"You don't understand."
"Then explain!"
Adrian looked at Julian.
Then back at Maya.
"Because of me..."
A pause.
"Your mother didn't die from her illness."
Maya froze.
"What?"
Adrian swallowed.
"Someone made sure she never got better."
The room went cold.
Julian stepped forward.
"Who?"
Adrian looked terrified.
"The Croft family."
Nobody spoke.
Maya stared at Julian.
"No."
Adrian continued.
"Your mother discovered something."
"What?"
"Something about Julian's father."
Julian's expression changed.
"My father?"
Adrian nodded.
"Years ago, he was involved in something illegal."
Derek looked at Julian.
"Impossible."
Adrian shook his head.
"It is true."
Maya looked between them.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Adrian looked at her.
"Because the people responsible are still alive."
A sudden crash came from outside.
Everyone turned.
Glass shattered.
Derek pulled his weapon.
"DOWN!"
A gunshot exploded.
Maya screamed.
Julian grabbed her and pulled her behind the wall.
Another shot.
Then silence.
When they looked outside...
Adrian was gone.
But one thing remained.
May you like
A message written on the apartment wall.
YOU ARE LOOKING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.
