Chapter 5 - THE BETRAYAL INSIDE THE HOUSE
Declan entered the room alone.
He looked at the documents.
Then at Leo.
“You weren't supposed to find those.”
Leo's expression hardened.
“You knew?”
“Yes.”
Tessa stared at him.
“You knew Dominic stole from him?”
Declan closed the door.
“I knew money was disappearing.”
“And you did nothing?”
“I was investigating.”
Leo laughed bitterly.
“For years?”
Declan's jaw tightened.
“I needed proof.”
“You needed an excuse.”
Declan stepped toward him.
“You think running an empire is easy?”
“No.”
Leo's voice cracked.
“But being my father should have been.”
Silence.
Tessa looked between them.
Then Declan said something unexpected.
“Your mother asked me to protect you.”
Leo froze.
“My mother?”
“She knew Dominic was dangerous.”
Declan's expression became painful.
“She believed Dominic had been working with our rivals since before her death.”
Leo stared.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because every person I trusted was dying.”
Declan looked at Tessa.
“Until you appeared.”
Tessa frowned.
“What do I have to do with this?”
Declan's expression hardened again.
“Someone has been watching you.”
Leo stepped forward.
“Who?”
“We don't know.”
Suddenly, the lights went out.
A gunshot shattered the window.
Declan pushed Leo down.
Tessa dropped beside them.
More gunfire erupted outside.
Security alarms screamed.
“Move!” Declan shouted.
They ran through the service corridor.
A bullet struck the wall beside Tessa.
Leo grabbed her hand.
They reached a reinforced room.
The door slammed shut.
For several minutes, they heard gunfire outside.
Then silence.
Leo looked at his father.
“You said someone was watching her.”
Declan nodded.
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
Tessa's phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
A message appeared.
ASK LEO WHAT HAPPENED TO HIS MOTHER.
Tessa showed it to him.
Leo went pale.
“My mother didn't die naturally.”
Declan stared at him.
“Who told you that?”
“Everyone.”
“My mother had cancer.”
Declan said nothing.
Leo stared at him.
“You're lying.”
Declan looked away.
That was enough.
Leo's voice became barely audible.
“How did she die?”
Declan finally answered.
“Poison.”
Tessa's breath caught.
“Who poisoned her?”
“We never proved it.”
Leo's face collapsed.
“Did you know?”
“Yes.”
“And you let me believe she died from cancer?”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“You lied to me.”
“I was trying to keep you alive!”
The words echoed.
Leo stared at his father.
Then he turned away.
Tessa followed him.
Outside the room, Declan remained alone.
For the first time, the powerful crime lord looked old.
May you like
Broken.
And terrified.
