Chapter 12 - THE LAST MOVE
Nobody moved.
Emily stared at Victoria’s ring.
The same ring she had worn for years.
A symbol of elegance.
Power.
Control.
But now…
It looked different.
“What did you put inside it?” Michael demanded.
Victoria smiled.
“You always were smarter than people thought.”
Frank raised his weapon.
“Take your hands where we can see them.”
Victoria ignored him.
She looked at Michael.
“You really think this ends with me?”
Michael’s expression changed.
“What does that mean?”
Victoria looked around the hallway.
“At this moment, there are people watching.”
Daniel’s face darkened.
“You have another team.”
Victoria smiled.
“Of course.”
Michael felt the anger building.
“How many?”
She didn’t answer.
“Who?”
Still nothing.
Then every phone in the hallway rang at the same time.
Everyone froze.
Frank answered first.
His face turned pale.
“What?”
Michael watched him.
“What happened?”
Frank slowly lowered the phone.
“The Carter Foundation building.”
“What about it?”
“They found something.”
Michael waited.
“Say it.”
Frank looked at him.
“A hidden room.”
Michael’s eyes narrowed.
“Where?”
Frank looked toward Victoria.
“Under your father’s old office.”
Victoria smiled.
“You finally found it.”
Michael stepped closer.
“What’s inside?”
Victoria looked at Daniel.
Then Emily.
Then Michael.
“The truth.”
The word hung in the air.
Michael hated that word now.
Because every truth he discovered destroyed something else.
A doctor suddenly rushed out.
“Mr. Carter!”
Michael turned.
His heart stopped.
“What happened?”
The doctor looked serious.
“Your son woke up.”
Relief flashed across Michael’s face.
Then the doctor continued.
“But he said something.”
Michael frowned.
“What?”
The doctor hesitated.
“He keeps repeating one name.”
Michael stepped closer.
“Whose?”
The doctor looked at Victoria.
Then said:
“Sarah.”
Nobody spoke.
Michael felt every piece of his world breaking apart.
Noah was six months old.
He couldn’t remember his mother.
He couldn’t speak her name.
It was impossible.
Unless…
Someone had taught him.
Michael slowly turned toward Victoria.
And for the first time…
May you like
his mother looked afraid.
TO BE CONTINUED…
