Chapter 9: The Enemy Who Was Already Inside the House
No one spoke after reading the message.
Because the message changed everything.
The threat wasn't from someone watching them.
It was from someone who knew.
Someone who knew about the box.
Someone who knew they had found it.
Daniel looked around the warehouse.
Every instinct told him they were no longer searching for the truth.
The truth was searching for them.
"How did they know?"" Dolores whispered.
Nobody answered.
Marcus stared at Renata.
"You contacted him.""
Her eyes flashed.
"No.""
"You did.""
"I didn't.""
Daniel stepped between them.
"Stop.""
Both went quiet.
He looked at Renata.
"I need answers.""
She looked away.
"I can't.""
The words surprised him.
Not because she refused.
Because she sounded afraid.
"Can't?""
"You don't know what you're dealing with.""
Daniel shook his head.
"You keep saying that.""
"Because it's true.""
"Then tell me.""
Renata looked at Sofia.
Then at the envelope.
Then at Daniel.
For a moment, she seemed ready.
Ready to finally confess.
But then her phone rang again.
This time, she answered.
Nobody could hear the voice on the other end.
But they could hear the fear in her response.
"Please.""
A pause.
"No, I didn't tell them everything.""
Another pause.
Daniel watched her face.
The woman who had controlled every room she entered was now begging someone else.
"I said I would handle it.""
Silence.
Then:
"Don't touch her.""
Everyone froze.
Daniel stepped closer.
"Who are you talking about?""
Renata ended the call immediately.
Too late.
Daniel heard.
"Who is he threatening?""
She said nothing.
"Renata.""
Her eyes filled.
Not with tears.
With panic.
"Your daughter.""
The words destroyed the room.
Sofia grabbed Daniel's hand.
"No.""
Daniel pulled her behind him.
"Who?""
Renata whispered:
"The same person who killed your wife.""
The statement was followed by complete silence.
Even Marcus looked shocked.
Because he knew.
But hearing her say it made it real.
Daniel's voice was barely controlled.
"Who?""
Renata looked toward the darkness outside.
Then she said:
"Your business partner.""
Daniel froze.
"My business partner?""
She nodded.
"Victor.""
The name hit him.
Victor Lang.
His oldest friend.
The man who had stood beside him during the hardest years.
The man who had helped him build his company.
The man who had attended his wife's funeral.
Daniel stepped back.
"No.""
Renata looked at him sadly.
"You trusted him.""
Daniel shook his head.
"No.""
"You trusted me too.""
That hurt because it was true.
She continued:
"And that's why he chose us.""
Marcus spoke quietly.
"Victor knew your wife was getting close to the truth.""
Daniel looked at him.
"What truth?""
Marcus answered:
"That your company wasn't losing money.""
A pause.
"It was being stolen.""
The pieces connected.
The transfers.
The documents.
The fear.
The hidden letter.
Everything.
Daniel felt sick.
"My wife found out.""
"Yes.""
"And Victor...""
Marcus nodded.
"He couldn't let her expose him.""
Sofia began crying.
"Daddy...""
Daniel immediately turned.
"I'm here.""
"But Mommy...""
Her voice broke.
"Did he hurt Mommy?""
Nobody answered.
Because the answer was already there.
Then a sound came from outside.
A car door closing.
Everyone turned.
Marcus moved toward the window.
His face changed.
"We have to leave.""
Daniel looked.
"What?""
Marcus looked back.
"Now.""
"Why?""
Because the warehouse door slowly opened.
A man stepped inside.
Wearing a black coat.
Exactly like Sofia remembered.
The little girl stopped breathing.
"Daddy...""
Daniel looked at the stranger.
Then at Sofia.
And he understood.
This was the man from that night.
The man she had tried to name for two years.
The man who had stood in the room where her mother took her last breath.
The stranger looked at Daniel.
Then smiled.
"Hello, Daniel.""
His voice was calm.
Almost friendly.
"Your wife left you quite a mess.""
Daniel stepped forward.
"Who are you?""
The man smiled wider.
"You already know.""
A pause.
"You just never wanted to believe it.""
May you like
And then Sofia whispered the name she had been too afraid to say.
"Victor.""
