Chapter 13 - THE MAN WHO KNEW EVERYTHING

Michael stood at the bottom of the basement stairs.

For a moment, nobody moved.

Nathan stared at his brother.

The same man who taught him how to ride a bike.

The same man who stood beside him at Emily’s funeral.

The same man who called himself family.

Now he was standing in the darkness.

Watching them.

“How long have you been there?”

Nathan’s voice was cold.

Michael looked at the metal box on the floor.

“Long enough.”

Claire immediately stepped in front of Nathan.

“Stay away from us.”

Michael gave a sad smile.

“Claire…”

“Don’t say my name.”

Her voice shook.

“You ruined everything.”

Michael looked at her.

“No.”

He shook his head.

“You ruined everything when you decided you cared about him.”

Nathan felt anger rise.

“What does that mean?”

Michael looked at him.

“It means your wife was never supposed to find out.”

Nathan stepped forward.

“My wife?”

Michael laughed quietly.

“You still call her that?”

Nathan’s fists tightened.

“Tell me the truth.”

Michael looked around the basement.

“The truth is complicated.”

“No.”

Nathan pointed at him.

“The truth is simple.”

“You betrayed Emily.”

“You stole from my family.”

“You lied for years.”

Michael’s face changed.

“You think I wanted this?”

Nathan stared.

“What?”

Michael walked closer.

“You think I woke up one day and decided to destroy my own family?”

“Then explain.”

Michael stopped.

“My father built an empire.”

Nathan said nothing.

“Everyone saw success.”

Michael continued.

“They didn’t see what was underneath.”

Debt.

Fear.

Desperation.

“He made mistakes.”

Nathan laughed.

“Mistakes?”

“He almost destroyed everyone.”

Michael nodded.

“Yes.”

“Then why help him?”

Michael looked down.

“Because I was trying to fix it.”

Nathan shook his head.

“You covered it up.”

“Yes.”

“You threatened Emily.”

Michael’s eyes changed.

“I never wanted Emily hurt.”

Nathan froze.

“Then why did she die?”

Silence.

Michael looked away.

“I wasn’t there when it happened.”

Nathan studied him.

“You expect me to believe that?”

“No.”

Michael sighed.

“But I expect you to know one thing.”

“What?”

“Your father wasn’t the mastermind.”

Nathan felt cold.

Again.

Another secret.

“Then who was?”

Michael looked at Claire.

Claire immediately shook her head.

“No.”

Nathan noticed.

“You know.”

Claire looked terrified.

“Claire.”

She closed her eyes.

Then whispered:

“It was Margaret.”

Nathan froze.

His mother.

“No.”

Michael nodded.

“She was the one who created the plan.”

Nathan stepped back.

“That’s impossible.”

“She wanted to protect the family name.”

Michael continued.

“She believed Emily was going to destroy everything.”

Nathan looked at the evidence.

The documents.

The letters.

The secrets.

His entire life had been built on lies.

Then Michael reached into his jacket.

He pulled out a small recorder.

“I kept this because I knew one day you would need it.”

Nathan stared.

“What is that?”

“The last conversation Emily had before she died.”

Nathan’s breathing stopped.

“You had this?”

Michael looked ashamed.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I was afraid.”

Nathan grabbed the recorder.

“Afraid of what?”

Michael looked directly at him.

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