CHAPTER 10 — THE RECORDING EXPOSES HER
CHAPTER 10 — THE RECORDING EXPOSES HER
The mansion doors exploded inward.
Victor instinctively moved in front of Ethan's empty doorway, even though the boy was no longer there.
His heart hammered.
"Ethan!"
No answer.
Only the echo of boots moving through the marble hall.
Evelyn stood beside him, weapon raised.
Clara locked the doors to the archive.
"He's not here."
Victor turned sharply.
"Then where is my son?"
"I don't know."
"You said you were protecting him."
"I thought I was."
Victor's eyes burned.
"You thought?"
Evelyn swallowed.
"Victor—"
"Don't."
He pointed his weapon toward the entrance.
"You have ten seconds to tell me where Ethan is."
A voice came from the hall.
"He's safe."
Victor froze.
Edward Hale stepped into view.
He looked older than Victor remembered.
Silver hair.
Dark suit.
A walking cane.
But his eyes were exactly the same.
Cold.
Calculating.
Patient.
Victor stared at him.
"You."
Edward smiled.
"Hello, son."
Victor raised the gun.
"You've been dead for twenty years."
"I've been many things."
"A liar."
"Yes."
"A murderer."
"Perhaps."
"A father."
Edward's smile disappeared.
"That depends on what you mean by father."
Victor's hand tightened around the weapon.
"Where is Ethan?"
Edward looked toward the staircase.
"Not here."
"Where?"
"Somewhere safe."
"You took him."
"No."
Edward's voice remained calm.
"Someone else did."
Victor glanced at Evelyn.
She looked horrified.
Edward smiled.
"You finally understand."
Victor stepped forward.
"Who has my son?"
Edward said nothing.
Then a phone rang.
Victor looked down.
It wasn't his.
It was Edward's.
Edward answered.
"Yes."
He listened.
His expression changed.
"What?"
Silence.
"How long?"
Another pause.
"Understood."
He ended the call.
Victor stared.
"What happened?"
Edward looked at him.
"Serena has disappeared."
Victor's stomach tightened.
"With Ethan?"
"No."
"Then where is Ethan?"
Edward's voice became quiet.
"Someone has taken him."
The mansion went silent.
Victor's mind raced.
"Who?"
Edward looked at Evelyn.
"Ask her."
Victor turned.
Evelyn's face had gone pale.
"What does he mean?"
Edward smiled.
"You've been waiting eighteen years to tell Victor the truth."
"Now tell him everything."
Evelyn shook her head.
"Not here."
Victor stepped toward her.
"Now."
She looked at him.
"Victor..."
"Where is Ethan?"
"I don't know."
"You're lying."
"No."
"You said you were the real Evelyn."
"I am."
"Then why don't you know where my son is?"
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Because I never took him."
Victor stared.
Edward laughed softly.
"She didn't."
"Then who did?"
Edward's eyes moved toward the ceiling.
"The same person who has been moving all of you like pieces on a chessboard."
Victor's expression hardened.
"Adrian."
Edward nodded.
"Yes."
"But you said Adrian was dead."
"I said many things."
Victor turned toward the security room.
"Find him."
Clara shook her head.
"We can't."
"Why?"
"Every camera has been disabled."
Victor looked at Edward.
"Did you do this?"
"No."
"Then who?"
Edward answered:
"Serena."
Victor's face tightened.
"Why would she help Adrian?"
"Because she has no choice."
A television suddenly turned on.
The screen showed Ethan.
He was sitting in a dark room.
Victor's heart stopped.
"Ethan."
His son was crying.
"Daddy?"
Victor rushed toward the screen.
"Ethan!"
The boy looked toward the camera.
"Daddy!"
Victor slammed his hand against the glass.
"I'm here!"
Ethan shook his head.
"No."
A man's hand appeared on his shoulder.
Victor recognized the ring.
The black ring with the silver line.
Adrian.
Victor's voice became cold.
"Let him go."
Adrian stepped into view.
Older.
Calm.
Smiling.
"Hello, Victor."
Victor raised his weapon toward the screen.
"You've taken my son."
"I've borrowed him."
"Where are you?"
"Somewhere you can't reach."
"Try me."
Adrian laughed.
"You still don't understand."
"Understand what?"
"This isn't about Ethan."
Victor stared.
"Then what is it about?"
Adrian leaned toward the camera.
"You."
The screen went black.
Then a recording started.
Evelyn's voice.
"Victor..."
He froze.
"If you're hearing this, Serena has already betrayed you."
Victor looked toward Edward.
Edward didn't react.
Evelyn continued.
"Don't trust her."
"Don't trust Elena."
"Don't trust Clara."
Victor's eyes narrowed.
"And most importantly..."
A pause.
"...don't trust me."
The recording ended.
Victor stared.
"Play it again."
Clara rewound it.
The message repeated.
But this time Victor noticed something.
A faint sound beneath Evelyn's voice.
Three knocks.
Then two.
Then three again.
He frowned.
"Stop."
Clara paused.
Victor listened.
Three.
Two.
Three.
"What is that?"
Evelyn looked at him.
"I don't know."
Victor stared at her.
"You're lying."
"No."
"Then why did you react?"
She looked away.
Edward spoke.
"It's a code."
Victor turned.
"You know it?"
Edward nodded.
"Your grandfather used it."
"What does it mean?"
Edward's face became grim.
"Someone is in danger."
Victor looked toward the screen.
"Who?"
Edward whispered:
"Whoever is making the recording."
Victor returned to the archive.
The second key was still in his hand.
He placed it beside the recording device.
The key clicked.
A hidden compartment opened.
Inside was a small memory card.
Victor inserted it.
A video appeared.
The image was grainy.
A room.
A table.
Serena was sitting in front of the camera.
She looked younger.
Terrified.
Someone stood behind her.
Adrian.
Victor leaned closer.
Serena spoke.
"I did everything you asked."
Adrian's voice came from behind the camera.
"Not everything."
"I brought Victor to the Trust."
"You failed to control him."
"I tried."
"You let him remember."
"I didn't know the key would activate."
Adrian stepped into view.
"Where is Ethan?"
Serena looked frightened.
"With Evelyn."
Victor froze.
The video continued.
Adrian's expression changed.
"Evelyn is dead."
Serena shook her head.
"No."
"She died eighteen years ago."
"That's what everyone believes."
Adrian leaned closer.
"Where is she?"
Serena whispered:
"Alive."
Victor's heart stopped.
Adrian grabbed Serena's wrist.
"Tell me."
"She's in Lisbon."
The recording ended.
Victor stared at the screen.
"Lisbon."
Clara looked at him.
"That was years ago."
"No."
Victor pointed at the file.
"Look at the timestamp."
Clara checked.
Her eyes widened.
"Yesterday."
Victor felt the room spin.
"Evelyn was in Lisbon yesterday."
He turned toward the woman standing behind him.
"The real Evelyn."
She nodded.
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I couldn't."
"Why?"
"Because I was afraid."
"Of Adrian?"
"No."
She looked toward Edward.
"Of him."
Victor turned.
Edward's face was unreadable.
"Why?"
Evelyn whispered:
"Because Edward isn't the person you think he is."
Victor raised his gun again.
Edward sighed.
"Again?"
Evelyn shook her head.
"He's not your enemy."
Victor frowned.
"Then what is he?"
Evelyn answered:
"He's your protector."
Edward looked at her.
"Enough."
"No."
She stepped forward.
"Victor deserves the truth."
Edward's expression hardened.
"You don't know what the truth will do to him."
"I know exactly what it will do."
"What?"
"It will destroy him."
Victor stared at them.
"What truth?"
Neither answered.
Victor shouted:
"What truth?"
Evelyn finally whispered:
"Your father didn't die."
Victor looked at Edward.
"I know."
"No."
She shook her head.
"Your biological father is alive."
Victor's eyes widened.
"Who?"
Evelyn looked at Edward.
Victor followed her gaze.
Edward lowered his head.
Victor stopped breathing.
"No."
Evelyn nodded.
"Yes."
Victor stared at Edward.
"You're my father."
Edward looked at him.
"Yes."
The room went silent.
Victor's face twisted.
"Then why did you let me believe you were dead?"
"Because I had to."
"Why?"
"To protect you."
"From Adrian?"
"From everyone."
Victor shook his head.
"You erased my memories."
"I did."
"You lied about my mother."
"I did."
"You let me believe Evelyn was my wife."
Edward closed his eyes.
"Yes."
Victor's voice broke.
"Why?"
"Because Evelyn was never your wife."
"I know."
"She was your protector."
Victor looked at the woman beside him.
"Then why did I love her?"
Edward's answer was quiet.
"Because she was the only person who never lied to you."
Victor stared at Evelyn.
She began crying.
"I loved you too."
"But not as your wife."
Victor looked away.
His entire life felt like a carefully constructed prison.
Then Ethan's voice came through the speakers.
"Daddy!"
Victor turned.
The screen came alive again.
Ethan was crying.
Adrian stood behind him.
"Time is running out."
Victor shouted:
"Where is my son?"
Adrian smiled.
"Do you remember the Trust?"
"Yes."
"Do you remember Subject Zero?"
"Yes."
"Then remember the final rule."
Victor froze.
"What rule?"
Adrian leaned toward Ethan.
"The guardian must sacrifice himself."
Victor's face went pale.
"Or the heir dies."
The screen went black.
Victor stared at the screen.
Evelyn stepped closer.
"Victor..."
"No."
He raised his hand.
"I'll do it."
Edward looked at him.
"Don't."
"My son is in danger."
"It's a trap."
"I don't care."
Edward grabbed his arm.
"You don't understand what the Trust will do."
Victor pulled away.
"I understand enough."
"No."
Edward's voice became desperate.
"If you enter the Trust chamber, you won't come back."
Victor stared.
"Then I'll go."
Evelyn stepped between them.
"Victor."
He looked at her.
"I can't lose Ethan."
"You won't."
"How do you know?"
"Because I know Adrian."
"What is his weakness?"
She hesitated.
"His pride."
Victor frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"He believes he's always three steps ahead."
"Then we make him think he is."
Victor looked at the second key.
A plan formed.
He turned toward Clara.
"Can you access the mansion's recording system?"
"Yes."
"Can you broadcast one recording to every screen?"
"Probably."
"Do it."
Clara looked confused.
"What recording?"
Victor looked at Serena's confession.
"The one that exposes her."
Minutes later, every television in the mansion turned on.
Every monitor.
Every security screen.
Every speaker.
Serena's recorded voice echoed through the building.
"I did everything you asked."
Adrian's voice followed.
"You failed to control him."
"I tried."
"You let him remember."
"I didn't know the key would activate."
The footage continued.
Serena admitted everything.
The manipulation.
The Trust.
The attempted kidnapping.
Her meetings with Adrian.
Her role in Evelyn's disappearance.
Then came the final sentence.
Serena's voice:
"I brought Ethan to you."
Victor stared at the screen.
"That's the line."
Clara nodded.
The video ended.
Silence.
Then—
the mansion's main doors opened.
Serena walked inside.
Her face was pale.
"You."
Victor stepped forward.
"You lied to me."
She looked at the screens.
"You weren't supposed to see that."
Victor's voice became cold.
"You admitted everything."
Serena shook her head.
"No."
"It's a recording."
"It's edited."
Victor stared.
"By whom?"
Serena looked toward Evelyn.
"Her."
Evelyn's face changed.
"What?"
Serena smiled.
"She recorded me."
Victor frowned.
"You said you were with Adrian."
"I was."
"Then why?"
"Because Adrian wanted me to confess."
Victor's expression hardened.
"Why?"
Serena looked directly at him.
"Because he needed you to believe I betrayed you."
Victor froze.
"What?"
Serena's eyes filled with tears.
"The recording was never meant to expose me."
She pointed toward the screen.
"It was meant to expose you."
Victor frowned.
"Me?"
Serena nodded.
"Listen carefully."
She looked at Evelyn.
"Play the full recording."
Evelyn's face went pale.
"Don't."
Victor turned.
"What did she mean?"
Serena smiled sadly.
"The recording has a second half."
Victor stared.
"Play it."
Evelyn shook her head.
"Victor, please."
"Play it."
She didn't move.
Victor raised his weapon.
"Now."
Evelyn finally pressed the button.
The recording continued.
Serena's voice:
"I brought Ethan to you."
Adrian:
"And Victor?"
Serena:
"He's already where you want him."
Adrian:
"Does he remember?"
Serena:
"No."
Adrian:
"Good."
Then another voice entered the recording.
Victor's voice.
His own voice.
He froze.
The recording said:
"I'll do whatever you ask."
Victor's face went white.
The room fell silent.
Evelyn stared at him.
Clara covered her mouth.
Edward looked away.
Victor whispered:
"That's not me."
The recording continued.
His voice said:
"I don't care what happens to Ethan."
Victor stepped backward.
"No."
Serena looked at him.
"That's why Adrian wanted you to hear it."
Victor shook his head.
"I would never say that."
Evelyn whispered:
"You did."
Victor turned toward her.
"No."
"You were under conditioning."
"No."
"You were hypnotized."
"No!"
The recording continued.
Victor's voice:
"Once the Trust activates, I'll give you the boy."
Victor stared at the screen.
His hands began trembling.
"I didn't..."
The recording ended.
No one spoke.
Then Ethan's voice came through the speakers.
"Daddy?"
Victor looked toward the screen.
Ethan was crying.
Adrian stood behind him.
"Do you remember now?"
Victor stared.
"I remember."
Adrian smiled.
"Good."
Victor whispered:
"I remember everything."
Adrian's smile disappeared.
Victor looked toward the screen.
"You didn't make me forget."
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"No."
"You made me remember the wrong thing."
Silence.
Victor looked at Serena.
Then Evelyn.
Then Edward.
Finally—
at Ethan.
"I know where he is."
Adrian's expression changed.
Victor smiled.
"He isn't with you."
The screen flickered.
Adrian looked confused.
Victor continued:
"That recording was made eighteen years ago."
Adrian's face changed.
"You've been playing an old recording."
"Yes."
"And you never had Ethan."
Victor's voice became cold.
"Because Ethan was never taken."
Everyone froze.
Victor turned.
A door opened behind them.
Ethan walked into the room.
Alive.
Unharmed.
Holding the gold key.
"Daddy!"
Victor rushed toward him.
He dropped to his knees and embraced his son.
Ethan clung to him.
"I'm here."
Victor closed his eyes.
"You're safe."
Then he noticed something.
The gold key was glowing.
Ethan whispered:
"I found it."
Victor looked at him.
"Found what?"
Ethan pointed toward the floor.
A hidden panel had opened.
Beneath it was a staircase.
A single sign waited below.
THE ORIGINAL TRUST CHAMBER.
Victor slowly stood.
Edward stared at the opening.
"No."
Victor looked at him.
"What?"
Edward's face was filled with genuine fear.
"Nobody goes down there."
Victor tightened his grip around Ethan's hand.
"Why?"
Edward whispered:
"Because that's where your grandfather kept the original recording."
Victor stared into the darkness.
"What recording?"
Edward looked at him.
"The one that proves who really murdered Evelyn."
A cold silence filled the mansion.
Then, from somewhere beneath the floor—
a woman's voice whispered:
"Victor..."
He knew that voice.
Evelyn.
"Come downstairs."
Victor looked at Ethan.
Then at the dark staircase.
And finally at Edward.
"Why?"
The voice answered:
"Because the person who killed me..."
A pause.
"...is already waiting for you."
May you like
The hidden door slammed shut behind them.
And the mansion went completely dark.
