Chapter 11: The Secret Sofia Was Never Supposed to Hear
Daniel stared at Renata.
He wanted to be angry.
He wanted to demand answers.
But mostly, he felt tired.
Tired of discovering another hidden truth every time he thought he had reached the end.
"What secret?""
Renata looked at Sofia.
Then away.
"I shouldn't be the one telling you.""
Daniel stepped forward.
"But you are.""
She closed her eyes.
"Your wife had evidence.""
"Evidence of Victor.""
"No.""
The answer surprised him.
"Then what?""
Renata looked at him.
"Evidence about you.""
The words cut deeper than anything else.
Daniel stepped back.
"Me?""
Victor watched silently.
Enjoying the confusion.
"Your wife believed you were in danger.""
Daniel frowned.
"Because of Victor?""
Renata shook her head.
"Because she thought someone inside your company was using you.""
Daniel looked at Marcus.
Then Victor.
"What does that mean?""
Renata swallowed.
"She believed someone was making decisions using your name without your knowledge.""
Daniel felt sick.
"Why didn't she tell me?""
"Because she wasn't sure who she could trust.""
The answer hurt.
Because it meant his wife had been afraid.
In her final days, she had been afraid.
And he had not known.
He had been too busy.
Too distracted.
Too certain everything was fine.
"She left the letter.""
Renata nodded.
"And the box.""
"Yes.""
Daniel looked at the blue box.
"Why didn't she give it to me?""
Renata looked away.
"Because she was waiting.""
"For what?""
"For proof.""
A long silence followed.
Victor finally spoke.
"And now you have it.""
Daniel turned.
"What?""
Victor smiled.
"That's why I came.""
Nobody moved.
Victor reached into his coat.
Daniel immediately prepared himself.
But Victor only removed a small flash drive.
"Your wife copied everything.""
Daniel stared.
"What is that?""
"The reason she died.""
The words echoed.
Daniel looked at the flash drive.
Then at Victor.
"You came here to take it.""
Victor smiled.
"Of course.""
Marcus moved.
"Daniel.""
He whispered.
"Don't give it to him.""
Victor laughed.
"Still trying to play hero?""
Marcus looked ashamed.
"I made mistakes.""
Victor shrugged.
"You made a lot.""
Daniel looked at Marcus.
"What did you do?""
Marcus hesitated.
Then answered:
"I followed orders.""
The admission hurt.
"But I changed my mind.""
"Why?""
Marcus looked at Sofia.
"Because your wife showed me what kind of man I was becoming.""
Nobody spoke.
Victor rolled his eyes.
"Pathetic.""
Then his expression changed.
He looked at Sofia.
"She remembers too much.""
Daniel immediately moved.
"Stay away from her.""
Victor smiled.
"You know what your wife did wrong?""
Daniel said nothing.
"She thought love could protect people.""
A pause.
"It can't.""
The sentence made Daniel's blood run cold.
Because he recognized it.
The same belief that had allowed Victor to win.
Fear.
Control.
Silence.
Victor stepped backward.
"Give me the drive.""
"No.""
Daniel's answer surprised everyone.
Victor looked amused.
"No?""
"No.""
Daniel held Sofia's hand.
"For years, I trusted the wrong people.""
His voice became stronger.
"But I'm done.""
Victor stared.
"You think this ends with you refusing?""
"No.""
Daniel looked at the flash drive.
"It ends when everyone knows the truth.""
Victor's face changed.
For the first time, he looked angry.
Really angry.
"You don't understand what you're holding.""
Daniel looked at him.
"Then explain.""
Victor smiled.
"Your wife didn't just find proof of my crimes.""
A pause.
"She found proof of yours.""
Daniel froze.
"What?""
Victor stepped closer.
"Open the drive.""
May you like
He smiled.
"And find out what your wife discovered about you.""
