Chapter 11: The Truth Between Brothers
I didn’t sleep.
Not because I was afraid.
Because I didn’t know who deserved my trust anymore.
Ethan sat across from me at the kitchen table.
The same table where we used to eat breakfast as kids.
The same table where my father taught us how to play chess.
Now it felt like a courtroom.
Two brothers.
One truth.
And too many lies.
“Claire thinks you betrayed us,” I said.
Ethan’s expression didn’t change.
“She would.””
I narrowed my eyes.
“What does that mean?””
“It means she doesn’t know everything.””
I leaned forward.
“Then tell me.””
Ethan looked exhausted.
“I made mistakes.””
That wasn’t the answer I expected.
“What kind of mistakes?””
He rubbed his face.
“After your accident, I was angry.””
“At me?””
“No.””
“At myself.””
The room became quiet.
“I should have seen what Marcus was doing sooner.””
“You couldn’t have known.””
“I was supposed to protect you.””
I looked at him.
“You’re my brother. Not my bodyguard.””
He smiled sadly.
“That’s what you always said.””
A memory flashed.
Two boys riding bikes.
Ethan falling.
Me helping him stand.
“You’re always trying to save people,” he whispered.
I looked away.
“And you always think you failed when you can’t.””
He didn’t respond.
Because it was true.
Finally, Ethan opened another folder.
“I found this six months ago.””
Inside was a recorded statement.
My father’s voice.
I froze.
“Where did you get that?””
“From a safety deposit box.””
My father’s voice filled the room.
“Daniel, if you’re hearing this, I’m sorry.””
I sat completely still.
“I made choices years ago that put my family in danger.””
My father paused.
“I trusted the wrong person.””
Another pause.
“And I underestimated how far he would go.””
I looked at Ethan.
“Marcus?””
Ethan nodded.
The recording continued.
“But Marcus was not acting alone.””
My heart stopped.
My father continued:
“There is someone inside my family helping him.””
I felt cold.
“The person helping Marcus knows Daniel’s habits. His schedule. His decisions.””
The recording ended.
The silence afterward was unbearable.
Ethan looked at me.
“You understand now.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“I understand someone betrayed us.””
I stood.
“But I don’t understand who.””
Ethan hesitated.
Then said:
“I think I do.””
My eyes moved to him.
“Who?””
He looked uncomfortable.
“The person who knew about your meeting that night.””
Only a few people knew.
Me.
Ethan.
Claire.
My assistant.
And…
I stopped.
“No.””
Ethan watched me.
“Daniel.””
“No.””
Because the thought was impossible.
The person who managed my schedule.
The person who knew every meeting.
The person who handled my private information.
My longtime assistant.
Rachel.
“She wouldn’t.””
Ethan sighed.
“I didn’t say it was her.””
“But you thought it.””
Before he could answer, my phone rang.
Rachel.
The timing was too perfect.
I answered.
“Rachel.””
Her voice sounded nervous.
“Daniel, thank God.””
“What happened?””
“I heard Ethan came back.””
My eyes narrowed.
“How do you know that?””
Silence.
Too long.
“Rachel?””
“I…”
I stood.
“How do you know Ethan is here?””
Her breathing changed.
“Daniel, listen to me. You need to leave.””
“Why?””
“Because you’re in danger.””
I looked at Ethan.
“From who?””
Rachel whispered:
“From the person standing next to you.””
The call ended.
I stared at Ethan.
He stared back.
Neither of us moved.
Then Ethan slowly said:
“She’s lying.””
“How do you know?””
“Because I’m not the person she’s afraid of.””
I looked at my phone.
Another message appeared.
This time from an unknown number.
One photo.
A picture of Rachel.
Standing beside Marcus.
Taken yesterday.
May you like
And underneath it:
*“Ask her why she thought you needed to disappear.””*
