The Truth
357 Words
The word echoes in my head.
Yes.
He knew.
The phone nearly slips from my hand.
“You knew,” I whisper.
“I was going to tell you.”
“When?”
“Soon.”
My chest feels like it’s being crushed.
“You used me.”
“No.”
“You knew I was Viktor’s daughter and you still—”
“Elena, listen to me.”
But I can’t.
Because everything suddenly makes sense.
The deal.
The interest.
The partnership.
I was never just Elena Rossi.
I was leverage.
Viktor watches me calmly.
Like he knew this moment would happen.
“You see?” he says softly.
“He’s not different from me.”
My vision blurs with anger.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I demand into the phone.
“Because I didn’t want you to think exactly what you’re thinking now.”
“That you manipulated me?”
“I didn’t.”
“You absolutely did!”
“Elena—”
The phone line suddenly goes silent.
The signal dies.
My stomach drops.
Viktor slowly claps.
“Impressive timing.”
“What did you do?”
“Nothing dramatic.”
He gestures to the guards.
“Just ended the conversation.”
Marcus is dragged closer.
“Now,” Viktor says calmly, “we finish our discussion.”
My heart pounds.
“What do you want?”
“Simple.”
He smiles.
“You come home.”
The word feels like poison.
“No.”
“If you refuse, Adrian loses his friend.”
Marcus groans weakly.
“Don’t… listen to him…”
My mind races.
If I go with Viktor, I might never leave again.
If I refuse…
Marcus dies.
And Adrian might never forgive himself.
Viktor watches me patiently.
“Well, Elena?”
The silence stretches painfully.
Then I take a slow breath.
And make a decision.
“Alright,” I say quietly.
“I’ll come with you.”
Marcus’s eyes widen.
Viktor smiles.
But neither of them notice the small blinking light on my jacket.
Adrian’s tracker.
And somewhere across the city, Adrian Vale is already coming for me.
- Writer
