Chapter 3 - What Julian Remembered
Victoria entered slowly.
Her expression was calm.
Almost offended.
“What exactly are you doing?”
Gabriel turned the tablet toward her.
The recording continued.
Victoria's voice filled the room.
“Make sure Julian never remembers what happened that night.”
Victoria stared at the screen.
“That isn't me.”
Julian said nothing.
I watched her.
She looked frightened.
Not angry.
Frightened.
“You expect me to believe that?” Gabriel asked.
Victoria's eyes moved toward him.
“You've served this family for fourteen years.”
“I know.”
“Then you know my voice.”
“I do.”
“Then you know that recording is fake.”
Julian spoke.
“Maybe.”
Victoria looked at him.
His face was unreadable.
“What happened to loyalty?”
Julian smiled bitterly.
“You watched me drown.”
Victoria's expression cracked.
“I didn't push you.”
“But you knew someone would.”
She said nothing.
That silence answered more than words.
Julian told Gabriel to leave us alone.
Victoria refused.
“I have something you need to know.”
“What?”
“Your accident wasn't caused by the driver.”
Julian's face changed.
“You said the driver lost control.”
“I lied.”
“Why?”
Victoria looked at me.
“Because your brother was there.”
My heart stopped.
“My brother?”
She nodded.
“Andrew came to the hospital that night.”
I stepped forward.
“You knew him?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“He was investigating Julian.”
Julian closed his eyes.
Victoria continued.
“Andrew believed someone inside the Vescari organization was moving money through shell companies.”
Julian opened his eyes.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because you couldn't remember.”
“And Andrew?”
Victoria looked away.
“He disappeared.”
I felt dizzy.
“My family was told he died.”
“I never said he died.”
The words hit harder than the cold lake.
“Where is he?”
Victoria shook her head.
“I don't know.”
Julian looked at Gabriel.
“Find every file connected to Andrew Bennett.”
Gabriel nodded.
Victoria stepped toward me.
“You should leave.”
“No.”
“You don't understand what you're involved in.”
“I understand enough.”
Victoria lowered her voice.
“If you stay beside Julian, whoever killed your brother will come for you.”
Julian moved his wheelchair between us.
“She stays.”
Victoria looked at him.
“You sound like your father.”
Julian froze.
“What does that mean?”
Victoria didn't answer.
She walked away.
The door closed.
Julian stared at it.
“My father died before my accident.”
“I know.”
“He was supposed to have died.”
I looked at him.
“What are you saying?”
Julian rubbed his temple.
“I have memories.”
“Of the accident?”
“Pieces.”
He closed his eyes.
“I remember rain.”
He inhaled.
“A bridge.”
Another breath.
“Andrew.”
My heart hammered.
“What did he say?”
Julian looked at me.
“He told me not to trust the person sitting beside me.”
“Who was sitting beside you?”
Julian's face tightened.
“I don't know.”
The room fell silent.
Then his phone buzzed.
One message.
No number.
Only an image.
It showed the lake terrace from above.
Julian in the wheelchair.
Claire standing behind him.
And in the corner of the photograph was Andrew.
Alive.
Julian stared at the screen.
I whispered, “That's my brother.”
The message disappeared.
A second message arrived.
You found him once. Don't make the same mistake twice.
Julian looked at me.
May you like
Then the lights went out.
In the darkness, a door clicked open behind us...
