Chapter 10 - THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Julian didn’t move.
“Someone I trust?”
Celeste nodded.
“Yes.”
“Who?”
She looked away.
“I can’t say.”
Mara became frustrated.
“Why does everyone have half the truth?”
Celeste looked at her.
“Because the full truth gets people hurt.”
Julian stepped closer.
“You’ve lied to me for years.”
Celeste’s eyes filled.
“I was trying to survive.”
“No.”
His voice was quiet.
“You were trying to protect yourself.”
The words broke something inside her.
Because they were true.
Later that night, Julian asked Mara to meet him privately.
“I owe you an apology.”
Mara looked at him.
“For what?”
“For believing the easiest story.”
She stayed silent.
Julian continued.
“When I saw the theft report, part of me wanted to believe it.”
“Why?”
“Because it was simpler.”
Mara nodded slowly.
“That’s what powerful people do.”
Julian looked at her.
“What?”
“They believe the story that causes them the least pain.”
He accepted that.
Because he knew she was right.
Suddenly, the lights went out.
The entire mansion went dark.
Mara froze.
Julian immediately moved closer.
“Stay behind me.”
A sound came from the hallway.
Footsteps.
Slow.
Careful.
Someone was inside.
Julian grabbed a flashlight.
“Who’s there?”
No answer.
Then a figure appeared at the end of the hallway.
Holding a folder.
Mara recognized the folder.
The same one containing her mother’s documents.
The person stepped into the light.
And Mara’s blood went cold.
Because she knew that face.
Everyone knew that face.
The man who had spent years being praised by the media.
The man Julian trusted more than anyone.
Julian whispered:
“Impossible.”
The man smiled.
“You finally found out.”
Mara looked at Julian.
“Who is he?”
Julian couldn’t speak.
May you like
Because the person standing in front of them was the last person he ever expected to betray him.
His own uncle.
