Chapter 10: The Brother Accused
Adrian’s words stayed in my ear long after the call ended.
*Lucas Kane was the person who killed our parents.*
I lowered the phone slowly.
Lucas watched my face.
He already knew.
“He told you.””
I didn’t answer.
The rain hit the car windows like tiny explosions.
“You killed them?””
Lucas looked away.
For the first time since I met him, he looked tired.
Not dangerous.
Just exhausted.
“I knew this would happen.””
“What does that mean?””
“It means Adrian would believe the story they gave him.””
I gripped the necklace in my hand.
“You expect me to believe you over him?””
Lucas looked at me.
“No.””
That answer surprised me.
“No?””
“No.””
He leaned back against the seat.
“Adrian has spent fifteen years believing I destroyed his life. He has every reason to hate me.””
“Then why should I listen?””
“Because you deserve the truth.””
The words felt familiar.
Everyone kept saying that.
Everyone promised answers.
But every answer created ten more questions.
“Start talking.””
Lucas nodded.
“The night of the fire, I was sixteen.””
I froze.
Sixteen.
Only a child.
“I was adopted by the Kane family because my father was a powerful man. They wanted someone loyal.””
“And you weren’t?””
“I was.””
He looked out at the rain.
“Until I learned what they were doing.””
“What were they doing?””
“Using the Whitmore company to move money. Buying politicians. Destroying anyone who got in their way.””
My stomach tightened.
“Your grandfather?””
Lucas nodded.
“He controlled everything.””
“Then why blame Vincent?””
“Because Vincent was the face people saw.””
I thought about Vincent.
The calm smile.
The confidence.
The way he walked into danger like he owned it.
“So what happened that night?””
Lucas closed his eyes.
“Your father found the evidence.””
“And?””
“He planned to expose them.””
A pause.
“Your mother found out too.””
I touched the necklace.
“What about me?””
Lucas looked at me.
“Your mother knew they would come for you.””
A memory flashed.
A woman crying.
A necklace being placed around my neck.
A voice whispering:
Run.
“Who started the fire?””
Lucas was silent.
Too silent.
“Lucas.””
Finally, he said:
“I did.””
My breath stopped.
The world became quiet.
“You just admitted it.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
His eyes filled with regret.
“Because I was trying to save you.””
I shook my head.
“That makes no sense.””
“The fire wasn’t supposed to happen.””
He looked at me.
“I was supposed to create a distraction.””
“For what?””
“To get you and Adrian out.””
I stared.
“But people died.””
His face broke.
“Yes.””
The word was barely audible.
“I made a mistake.””
I wanted to hate him.
I wanted the answer to be simple.
Good people.
Bad people.
Heroes.
Villains.
But nothing was simple anymore.
“My parents died because of you.””
Lucas nodded.
“I know.””
“And Adrian hates you because of you.””
“I know.””
“Then why come back?””
His voice became quiet.
“Because someone is finishing what started that night.””
Before I could answer, headlights appeared behind us.
Lucas looked in the mirror.
His expression changed.
“We need to leave.””
“Who is that?””
“The people hunting you.””
The car behind us accelerated.
Lucas started the engine.
We sped away from the church.
I looked back.
And for the first time, I wondered if Adrian’s version of the truth was also missing pieces.
When we reached the safe house, Adrian was already there.
Standing outside.
Waiting.
His face was unreadable.
Lucas stepped out first.
Adrian immediately raised his weapon.
“Don’t.””
Lucas stopped.
“Still carrying that anger?””
Adrian’s voice was cold.
“You killed them.””
Lucas looked at him.
“No.””
Adrian laughed.
“You expect me to believe that?””
“I expect you to remember.””
Adrian’s expression changed.
For one second, something passed through his eyes.
A memory.
A doubt.
Then it disappeared.
“You don’t get to talk about memories.””
Lucas looked at him sadly.
“You forgot yours.””
Adrian stepped closer.
“What?””
Lucas pointed at him.
“You don’t remember what happened after the fire.””
Silence.
I looked at Adrian.
“What is he talking about?””
Adrian didn’t answer.
Because he didn’t know.
And that scared me.
Then a gunshot exploded.
The bullet hit the wall beside us.
Everyone dropped.
A voice came from the darkness.
“Family reunions are always emotional.””
Vincent Kane stepped into the street.
But he wasn’t alone.
Beside him stood another person.
A woman.
I recognized her immediately.
From old photographs.
From the memories.
My mother.
May you like
Evelyn Whitmore.
Alive.
