The daughter returns
556 Words
The location Viktor sent is exactly what I expected.
An abandoned opera house on the edge of the city.
It used to be beautiful.
Now it looks like a ghost.
Broken windows.
Cracked marble.
Silence.
Two guards escort me inside.
The air smells like dust and old wood.
Every step echoes through the empty hall.
And then I see him.
Viktor Volkov.
Standing alone in the center of the stage.
Like he owns the world.
“Hello, Elena.”
My heart pounds, but my voice stays steady.
“You kidn*pped my friend.”
He smiles slightly.
“You always did skip greetings.”
“Where is Marcus?”
“Safe.”
“Show me.”
Viktor gestures toward the balcony.
Two guards drag Marcus forward.
He’s bruised but alive.
Relief washes through me.
“If you hurt him—”
“Relax,” Viktor interrupts calmly.
“I’m not the monster you imagine.”
I laugh bitterly.
“Yes, you are.”
For a moment something cold flashes across his face.
Then it disappears.
“You’ve grown stronger,” he says.
“Leaving you helped.”
He walks slowly toward me.
The same controlled steps I remember from childhood.
“You shouldn’t have involved yourself in this war.”
“You started the war.”
“No,” Viktor replies softly.
“Adrian did.”
My stomach tightens.
“What do you mean?”
Viktor studies me carefully.
“Did he tell you how this conflict began?”
“Yes.”
“Did he tell you the truth?”
The words make my pulse spike.
“He told me what you did to his father.”
Viktor chuckles.
“Yes. That part is true.”
My anger burns hotter.
“You tortured him.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Viktor tilts his head slightly.
“Because Adrian’s father stole from me.”
I blink.
“That’s a lie.”
“Is it?”
His smile widens.
“Adrian’s father controlled access to my financial network.”
“And?”
“He tried to take it.”
“That doesn’t justify torture.”
“Of course not,” Viktor says calmly.
“But it explains it.”
I feel my certainty begin to c***k.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because you deserve to know the truth.”
“What truth?”
Viktor leans closer.
“The truth about Adrian.”
My heart pounds.
“What about him?”
Viktor’s voice drops to a whisper.
“He knew who you were.”
The words hit me like a physical blow.
“That’s impossible.”
“Is it?”
“He didn’t know I was your daughter.”
Viktor smiles slowly.
“He knew exactly who you were.”
The room feels like it’s spinning.
“No,” I whisper.
“Yes.”
My chest tightens painfully.
“You’re lying.”
“Ask him.”
Viktor steps back.
“Go ahead.”
My hands tremble slightly as I pull out my phone.
Adrian answers instantly.
“Elena? Are you alright?”
I swallow hard.
“Did you know who I was?”
There is silence on the line.
Too long.
My heart sinks.
“Elena—”
“Did you know?” I repeat.
Another pause.
Then Adrian’s voice comes quietly.
“Yes.”
- Writer
