Secrets never stay buried
784 Words
Dangerous Addiction
Chapter Four: Secrets Never Stay Buried
The anonymous message stayed on Elena's screen long after the crowd had disappeared into their afternoon lectures.
Ask him what happened to his brother.
She read the words again and again.
The photograph felt heavy in her hands. Damien stood beside another man who looked almost like him—same dark hair, same piercing eyes, but his smile was warmer, less guarded.
Brothers.
If the message was true, why had Damien never mentioned him?
A familiar black sedan was waiting outside the university gates.
The moment Elena stepped onto the sidewalk, Damien's bodyguard opened the rear door.
"Mr. Moreau is waiting."
She climbed in without a word.
Damien glanced up from the documents in his hand.
"You look troubled."
"I received another message."
His expression hardened.
"Show me."
She handed him the photograph and her phone.
As he read the message, something changed in his face. It lasted only a second, but she saw it.
Pain.
Real pain.
"So..." Elena said quietly. "You do have a brother."
Damien stared out the window.
"I did."
The car fell silent.
"What happened to him?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Finally, he spoke.
"His name was Adrian."
"Was?"
"He died three years ago."
Elena looked at the photograph again.
"I'm sorry."
"So am I."
His voice was calm, but she could hear the weight behind it.
"Did someone kill him?"
Damien's jaw tightened.
"I've spent three years trying to answer that question."
---
Back at his estate, Elena found herself standing before towering iron gates that slowly opened to reveal an elegant mansion surrounded by ancient trees.
"This is where you live?"
"For now."
She couldn't help staring.
The house was beautiful, but it didn't feel like a home.
It felt like a fortress.
Security cameras covered every entrance, and guards patrolled the grounds.
"You really think someone is after me?"
"I know they are."
Inside, Damien led her to a quiet study lined with books.
He opened a locked drawer and removed an old leather journal.
"It belonged to Adrian."
He placed it on the desk.
"I've never shown this to anyone."
Elena looked at him.
"Why me?"
"Because someone wants you involved."
She slowly opened the journal.
Most of it contained business notes, travel dates, and observations.
Until she reached the final pages.
One sentence had been underlined several times.
Trust no one inside the organization.
Another page contained only a name.
Victor Kane.
"Who is Victor Kane?" Elena asked.
Damien's expression darkened.
"A man I once considered family."
---
That evening, Elena wandered onto the mansion's balcony, hoping the cool air would clear her thoughts.
Instead, she heard voices below.
She stepped closer without being seen.
Two guards were talking.
"...She doesn't know yet."
"She can't."
"What if he tells her?"
"He won't."
Elena frowned.
Who were they talking about?
Before she could hear more, one of the guards looked up.
She stepped back just in time.
---
The next morning, Damien insisted she remain at the estate.
"I have classes."
"I've already contacted your university."
"You what?"
"They've approved a week's absence."
"You had no right."
"I know."
She glared at him.
"You keep making decisions for me."
"I'm keeping you alive."
"I didn't ask for protection."
"No."
His voice softened.
"But you're getting it anyway."
She hated how frustratingly calm he remained.
---
Hours later, while exploring one of the mansion's long hallways, Elena noticed a door slightly open.
Inside was another office.
Unlike Damien's study, this room looked untouched.
Dust covered the shelves.
On the desk sat a single framed photograph.
Damien.
Adrian.
And a young woman Elena had never seen before.
Written on the frame were the words:
Family isn't chosen by blood. It's chosen by loyalty.
As she picked up the frame, a folded letter slipped onto the floor.
It had never been opened.
Her name wasn't on it.
The envelope simply read:
If anything happens to me, give this to Damien.
Her heart raced.
She knew she shouldn't read it.
She also knew that someone had already broken every rule by dragging her into this dangerous world.
With trembling hands, she unfolded the letter.
The first line made her blood run cold.
«Damien,
If you're reading this, then I was right.
The traitor was closer to us than either of us ever imagined...»
A floorboard creaked behind her.
Elena spun around.
Someone was standing in the doorway.
Not Damien.
Not one of the guards.
A tall man dressed in black smiled as though he'd been expecting this moment.
"You really shouldn't have read that," he said.
"And now..."
He slowly closed the door behind him.
"...I'm afraid you know too much."
- Writer
