Chapter 12 - The Brother Nobody Remembered
Roman's brother was supposed to be dead.
That was what Roman had been told his entire life.
But the basement proved otherwise.
A man stood beneath a single hanging light.
He had Roman's eyes.
Roman's father's jaw.
And the same scar through his eyebrow.
Nora stared.
“Who are you?”
The man smiled.
“Adrian.”
Roman stepped forward.
“You died.”
“So did Dad.”
“You're lying.”
Adrian laughed.
“You always were the favorite.”
Roman's fists tightened.
“Where have you been?”
“Watching.”
“Watching what?”
“You.”
Adrian looked at Nora.
Then at her stomach.
“I've been watching her.”
Roman stepped between them.
“Don't look at her.”
Adrian smiled.
“There he is.”
Nora felt the tension.
“Why did you change my medical records?”
Adrian's expression softened.
“Because I needed to know which baby carried the marker.”
“What marker?”
“The one our father spent his life hunting.”
Roman's voice was cold.
“And you?”
“I wanted it for myself.”
Nora's stomach tightened.
“You used me.”
Adrian shook his head.
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Because I knew Dad would eventually come for you.”
Roman stared.
“Why help us?”
Adrian looked away.
“Because I was tired of being his weapon.”
A gunshot came from above.
Everyone froze.
Adrian's expression changed.
“He found us.”
Roman pulled Nora behind a pillar.
Men flooded the basement.
Chaos erupted.
Roman's security team returned fire.
Adrian grabbed Nora.
“Move!”
Roman shouted:
“Get away from her!”
Adrian dragged Nora toward a hidden door.
“I know another exit.”
Roman followed.
They reached a tunnel beneath the hotel.
Nora could barely breathe.
“Where does this go?”
“To the old Calder estate.”
Roman stopped.
“What?”
Adrian looked at him.
“That's where Dad keeps Celeste's records.”
Nora stared.
“My mother?”
“She's already there.”
Roman's face changed.
They rushed forward.
Minutes later, they reached a hidden chamber.
Celeste was tied to a chair.
Roman ran to her.
“Mom.”
She looked up.
“Roman.”
He cut the restraints.
Nora hugged her.
Then Celeste whispered:
“There's one thing I never told you.”
Roman froze.
“What?”
Celeste looked at Nora.
“Your father didn't create the experiment.”
“What experiment?”
Celeste swallowed.
“Your grandmother did.”
Nora stared.
“My grandmother died before I was born.”
“Yes.”
Celeste's voice broke.
“She isn't dead.”
The lights went out.
A woman's voice came from the darkness.
“Hello, Nora.”
May you like
Nora froze.
Then a hand touched her shoulder.
