The Man In The Dark
1024 Words
Sophia's scream echoed through the dark penthouse.
Alexander moved instantly.
He pulled her behind him and reached inside his jacket.
“Stay behind me.”
Sophia's heart hammered against her ribs.
She could barely see anything.
“Alexander…”
“Don't move.”
A faint sound came from the living room.
Footsteps.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Someone was walking toward them.
Alexander's voice turned cold.
“Show yourself.”
No answer.
Another step.
Then another.
Sophia clutched the back of Alexander's shirt.
The emergency lights suddenly flickered on.
For a split second, Sophia saw a man standing near the doorway.
He was dressed completely in black.
Before Alexander could reach him, the man turned and ran.
“Stay here!”
Alexander rushed after him.
Sophia stood frozen.
Then she heard glass shatter.
“Alexander!”
She ran toward the sound.
When she reached the balcony, the doors were wide open.
Alexander stood there, looking down.
The intruder was gone.
“How did he get in?” Sophia asked breathlessly.
Alexander turned toward her.
“I don't know.”
“You were right beside me.”
“I know.”
He walked back inside and examined the balcony door.
“There was no forced entry.”
Sophia's blood ran cold.
“So he had a key?”
Alexander didn't answer.
Instead, he looked around the penthouse.
Then his eyes landed on something beneath the sofa.
A small black device.
He picked it up.
Sophia stared.
“What is that?”
“A tracker.”
Her face went pale.
“They've been tracking us?”
“Probably for longer than we realized.”
Alexander crushed the device in his hand.
Sophia watched him.
“Who are these people?”
“I don't know yet.”
“You said my father's death could be connected to your family.”
Alexander's expression changed.
“I need to tell you something.”
Sophia waited.
“Your father worked for my father.”
Her eyes widened.
“What?”
“They were business partners.”
“My father never mentioned your family.”
“Because their partnership ended badly.”
“How badly?”
Alexander looked away.
“My father accused yours of stealing millions from Kane Holdings.”
Sophia shook her head.
“My father would never do that.”
“I don't believe he did.”
She stared at him.
“Then why did your father accuse him?”
“I don't know.”
“You said you wanted the truth.”
“I do.”
“Then help me find it.”
Alexander looked at her for a long moment.
“I will.”
Suddenly, his phone vibrated.
He looked at the screen.
A message.
MIDNIGHT. OLD KANE WAREHOUSE. COME ALONE.
Below it was another photograph.
Sophia's father.
Standing beside Alexander's father.
And between them was Victoria.
Sophia's breath caught.
“She's connected to both families.”
Alexander nodded.
“And she wants you to go there.”
“No.”
Sophia frowned.
“What?”
“You're not going.”
“Alexander—”
“I said no.”
“But this could finally tell us what happened to my father.”
“It could also be a trap.”
“I don't care.”
“I do.”
His voice softened.
Sophia looked at him.
“Why?”
Alexander stepped closer.
“Because every time you put yourself in danger, I realize how much I have to lose.”
Her heart skipped.
He reached up and gently brushed a tear from her cheek.
“This marriage may have started with a contract…”
He paused.
“But I can't pretend anymore.”
Sophia's lips parted.
“Pretend what?”
His eyes stayed on hers.
“That you're just my wife on paper.”
Neither of them spoke.
Then Sophia whispered,
“Alexander…”
He leaned closer.
For one breathless moment, she thought he was going to kiss her.
His phone rang.
They both stepped apart.
Alexander answered.
“Speak.”
His security chief's voice came through.
“Sir, we've found the person who entered the penthouse.”
Alexander's expression hardened.
“Who?”
There was a long pause.
Then—
“It's one of your employees.”
Alexander's eyes narrowed.
“Name.”
The answer came.
Sophia watched his face change.
“That's impossible.”
“Sir, we have security footage.”
“Send it to me.”
The call ended.
Seconds later, the video arrived.
Alexander opened it.
Sophia leaned closer.
The footage showed the intruder entering the building.
His face was partially visible.
Sophia recognized him immediately.
She covered her mouth.
“I know him.”
Alexander looked at her.
“Who?”
“Daniel.”
Alexander's expression became dangerously cold.
Sophia shook her head.
“No. That can't be.”
The video continued.
Daniel walked into the building carrying the same black envelope they had found earlier.
Then he looked directly at the security camera.
And smiled.
Sophia's heart sank.
“He came here.”
Alexander stared at the screen.
“He wasn't trying to warn you.”
Sophia's voice trembled.
“He was trying to get close to me.”
Alexander closed the video.
“Now we know who to question.”
But before he could make another call, a new message appeared on Sophia's phone.
She opened it.
Her blood ran cold.
YOU TRUSTED THE WRONG MAN.
Then another message arrived.
DANIEL ISN'T THE ENEMY.
Sophia looked at Alexander.
“What does that mean?”
A final message appeared.
ASK ALEXANDER WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO HIS FATHER.
Sophia slowly raised her eyes.
Alexander's face had gone pale.
For the first time since she had met him…
he looked genuinely afraid.
“Alexander?”
He said nothing.
“Tell me.”
His jaw tightened.
Then he whispered,
“My father wasn't killed by your father.”
Sophia's heart stopped.
“Then who killed him?”
Alexander looked toward the window.
“The same person who killed yours.”
The room fell silent.
And somewhere outside the penthouse, a car engine roared to life.
Someone was watching them.
And they already knew the truth.
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