Chapter 10: The Betrayal of the Man I Trusted
The airport was thirty minutes away.
It felt like thirty years.
Every second behind the wheel was another second Daniel had to disappear.
I sat in the passenger seat while Marco drove, his hands tight around the steering wheel.
Neither of us spoke.
There was nothing to say.
Because sometimes betrayal was louder than any confession.
Daniel Russo.
Fifteen years.
Fifteen years of standing beside me.
He was there when my father died.
He was there when I took control of the family.
He was there when Sophia was born.
When my first wife passed away, Daniel was the one who told me I couldn’t let grief destroy me.
I trusted him more than anyone.
And now he was running with my daughter’s private medical records.
“Tell me you’re wrong,” I said quietly.
Marco glanced at me.
“I wish I was.””
I looked out the window.
“Why would he do this?””
Marco didn’t answer immediately.
Because we both knew the answer was never simple.
Money.
Power.
Fear.
People always had reasons.
But reasons didn’t erase betrayal.
My phone buzzed.
A message.
From an unknown number.
I opened it.
One sentence.
*You should have stayed in the wheelchair.*
My blood went cold.
Marco saw my expression.
“What is it?””
I showed him.
His jaw tightened.
“He knows we’re coming.””
“Not just that.””
I stared at the message.
“He knows everything.””
The airport came into view.
We parked near the private terminal.
Marco’s men were already positioned around the exits.
I stepped out of the car.
For the first time in months, I walked openly.
No wheelchair.
No pretending.
No weakness.
The man everyone thought was broken was finally standing again.
Inside the terminal, we found Daniel near the private security gate.
He wasn’t running.
That surprised me.
He stood there calmly with a small suitcase in his hand.
When he saw me, his expression didn’t change.
“Vincent.””
I walked closer.
“Daniel.””
Marco’s men surrounded him.
But Daniel only looked at me.
Not them.
Me.
“You look better than expected.””
My jaw tightened.
“You knew.””
He sighed.
“I suspected.””
“How long?””
Daniel looked away.
“Since the accident.””
The answer hit harder than I expected.
“You knew I could walk?””
“Yes.””
“And you said nothing?””
“No.””
The silence between us became unbearable.
“Why?””
Daniel looked at me.
“Because I was waiting.””
“For what?””
“For you to realize the truth.””
I almost laughed.
“You’re standing in an airport with my daughter’s records.””
“I’m trying to protect her.””
“By taking her away?””
His expression changed.
“Do you know what happens if they find out Sophia has information?””
My eyes narrowed.
“Who?””
Daniel didn’t answer.
That told me enough.
“Who are you working for?””
He looked at me.
“I’m not working for anyone.””
“Then why are you running?””
“Because I know what’s coming.””
A cold feeling moved through me.
“Explain.””
Daniel looked around.
Then lowered his voice.
“Your father wasn’t killed because of the family.””
I stared at him.
“He was killed because of Sophia.””
The world seemed to stop.
“What did you say?””
Daniel opened the suitcase.
Inside were files.
Medical documents.
Photos.
Records.
My daughter’s records.
“What are these?””
“Proof.””
“Of what?””
Daniel looked at me.
“That Sophia is the reason your enemies have been waiting.””
My hand tightened.
“What does my daughter have to do with any of this?””
Daniel hesitated.
Then said:
“Because she’s not just your daughter.””
I stepped closer.
“Choose your next words carefully.””
Daniel looked at me.
“She’s the last living connection to something your father hid.””
Before I could respond, gunfire exploded outside.
Everyone dropped.
Marco pulled me behind cover.
The terminal filled with screams.
Daniel didn’t move.
He just looked at me.
“You still think I’m the enemy?””
I looked toward the chaos outside.
Then back at him.
“Tell me everything.””
Daniel nodded.
But before he could speak, his phone rang.
He answered.
His face changed.
“What?””
A pause.
Then his eyes moved toward me.
“Vincent…”
My heart tightened.
“What?””
May you like
Daniel whispered:
“They have Sophia.””
