Chapter 13: The Enemy We Never Saw
For several seconds, nobody moved.
The storm outside continued to hit the windows.
But inside the old estate, everything felt frozen.
“My wife’s father?””
My father repeated the words like he couldn’t understand them.
Marco lowered his eyes.
“Yes.””
I looked at my father.
“My grandfather?””
He didn’t answer.
Because he knew exactly who Marco meant.
My mother’s father.
A man I barely remembered.
A man everyone said disappeared from our lives after my mother died.
“What was his name?”” I asked.
My father’s expression changed.
“Richard Vale.””
The name felt strange.
Heavy.
Like it had been buried for years.
“Why would he do this?””
Marco looked toward the old family office.
“Because he believed Adrian took his daughter away from him.””
My father’s face hardened.
“That’s not true.””
“No,” Marco said.
“But that’s what he believed.””
I looked at the man who had stood beside my father for years.
“Why do you know all of this?””
Marco was silent.
Then he answered.
“Because I was there.””
My father’s eyes narrowed.
“Where?””
“The night of the accident.””
The room became colder.
“You told me you found them after the crash.””
“I did.””
“Then explain.””
Marco took a breath.
“I was following Richard Vale.””
My father stepped closer.
“You were watching him?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because I suspected someone inside the company was working against you.””
My father’s voice became dangerous.
“And you never told me?””
“I didn’t have proof.””
My father laughed bitterly.
“Three years.””
Marco nodded.
“I was wrong.””
That was the first time I had ever heard Marco admit that.
He was always confident.
Always calm.
But now he looked ashamed.
I looked at my father.
“Did you know my mother’s family hated you?””
My father sat down.
“I knew her father never accepted me.””
“Why?””
He looked at the old photographs on the wall.
“Because he believed I wasn’t good enough for her.””
My father had always been powerful.
Successful.
Fearless.
But there was something he never talked about.
The fact that some people had never accepted him.
“He blamed you for her death,” I said.
My father nodded.
“Yes.””
“But she died before the accident.””
Another silence.
My father looked at me.
“That is the part nobody understands.””
“What?””
“Your mother’s death wasn’t natural.””
My heart stopped.
“What?””
My father looked at Marco.
“You never told her?””
Marco shook his head.
“No.””
I felt dizzy.
“My mother was killed?””
My father’s expression broke.
“I didn’t know for sure.””
“Then why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I spent years trying to find the person responsible.””
His voice became softer.
“And I failed.””
A phone rang.
Everyone turned.
Marco answered.
Then his face changed.
“Boss.””
“What?””
“We found Richard Vale.””
My father stood.
“Where?””
“On his way here.””
My blood ran cold.
“He’s coming here?””
Marco nodded.
“He sent a message.””
“What message?””
Marco looked uncomfortable.
“He said he wants to finish what he started.””
My father’s eyes darkened.
“No.””
He grabbed his coat.
“We leave now.””
But before we could move, the front doors opened.
A man stood there.
Older.
Gray-haired.
Calm.
Too calm.
My father immediately stepped in front of me.
Richard Vale looked past him.
Straight at me.
For a moment, I saw something strange in his eyes.
Not hatred.
Pain.
Then it disappeared.
“Adrian.””
My father stared.
“Richard.””
“You still protect her.””
My father’s voice became cold.
“She’s my daughter.””
Richard smiled sadly.
“Exactly.””
I tightened my grip on my father’s arm.
Richard stepped inside.
“You always chose her.””
My father looked confused.
“What?””
“My daughter.””
His voice cracked.
“You chose your new family over mine.””
I shook my head.
“You’re blaming me?””
Richard looked at me.
“I’m blaming the man who made me lose everything.””
My father’s expression hardened.
“I loved your daughter.””
Richard laughed.
“Then why did she die?””
The words hit the room.
My father went silent.
And I knew.
That question had haunted him for years.
Richard continued.
“You took her away from me.””
“No.””
“You made her choose you.””
“That’s a lie.””
Richard’s face twisted.
“Is it?””
Then he reached into his coat.
My father immediately reacted.
Security moved.
But Richard didn’t pull out a weapon.
He pulled out a photograph.
A photograph of my mother.
He held it out.
“I found the truth.””
My father stared.
“What truth?””
Richard looked at him.
“The accident wasn’t meant for your daughter.””
A pause.
“It was meant for you.””
My father already knew.
But Richard wasn’t finished.
“The person who ordered it wanted you dead.””
Everyone froze.
“Who?”” my father asked.
Richard looked at me.
May you like
Then whispered:
“The person you trusted most.””
