Chapter 9 - The Betrayal
The explosion never came.
Instead, every light in the archive turned red.
Roman's security system had isolated the building.
Antonio stared at him.
“You planned this.”
“No.”
Roman looked at Serena.
“Your mother did.”
Her mother appeared at the doorway.
She was holding another ledger.
Antonio's face collapsed.
“You kept a second copy.”
“I kept the truth.”
She walked inside.
For the first time, Serena saw her parents standing together.
There was no love between them.
Only years of regret.
Antonio lowered the detonator.
“I protected you.”
“You destroyed us.”
His eyes filled.
“I was trying to protect the family.”
“You became the danger.”
Serena watched silently.
Then Sofia approached Antonio.
“You owe me twenty-seven years.”
Antonio looked at his missing daughter.
“I thought you were dead.”
“I thought you wanted me dead.”
He lowered his head.
“I failed both of you.”
A gunshot cracked.
Antonio fell.
Serena screamed.
Roman caught her.
Viktor Hale stepped through the doorway.
He was smiling.
“Finally.”
Roman pushed Serena behind him.
Viktor looked at the ledger.
“Give it to me.”
“No.”
Viktor raised his weapon.
“You have no idea how many people will die if that book becomes public.”
Roman answered:
“Maybe they should answer for what they did.”
Viktor laughed.
“You sound like your father.”
Roman froze.
Serena noticed.
“Your father?”
Viktor smiled.
“Ask him.”
Roman's expression changed.
Viktor fired.
Roman pushed Serena aside.
The bullet struck his chest.
He fell.
“Roman!”
Serena dropped beside him.
Blood spread across his shirt.
His eyes remained open.
“I'm fine.”
“You're bleeding!”
“I know.”
Viktor grabbed the ledger.
Sofia fired.
Viktor escaped through the emergency exit.
Serena pressed her hands against Roman's wound.
“Don't you dare leave me.”
Roman looked at her.
For the first time, there was no control in his eyes.
Only fear.
“Serena.”
“Yes?”
“If I don't—”
“You will.”
“I need you to know…”
He stopped.
His breathing became shallow.
Then the heart monitor began screaming.
A doctor rushed toward them.
May you like
Serena stood frozen.
Because Roman's hand had suddenly gone completely still...
