Chapter 9: The Man Behind the Nightmare
Marcus Blackwood walked into the mansion like he owned it.
That was the most terrifying part.
Not the confidence.
Not the arrogance.
The familiarity.
He knew every hallway.
Every room.
Every secret.
Victor stood waiting.
“You look surprised.””
Victor stared at him.
“I thought you would hide.””
Marcus smiled.
“Hide?””
He looked around.
“This house was built by my family.””
“Not yours.””
Marcus laughed.
“Still angry.””
“You used Serena.””
“Yes.””
The honesty was unexpected.
Victor’s expression changed.
“You admit it?””
“Of course.””
Marcus removed his coat.
“Serena was easy.””
“Easy?””
“She wanted revenge.””
Marcus smiled.
“I gave her a target.””
Victor stepped closer.
“My son.””
“Yes.””
The room went silent.
Victor’s anger became something colder.
“You hurt a child.””
Marcus looked almost disappointed.
“You still don’t understand.””
“Explain.””
Marcus walked toward the window.
“Your father ruined everything.””
“He protected Ethan.””
“He betrayed me.””
Victor shook his head.
“You wanted power.””
“I wanted what should have been mine.””
There it was.
The truth.
Not revenge.
Not justice.
Greed.
Marcus had spent years pretending he was wronged because admitting the truth was impossible.
He had lost because he wanted something he didn’t deserve.
“You destroyed lives for money.””
Marcus looked at him.
“No.””
He smiled.
“I destroyed lives because people like you always believe love makes you stronger.””
Victor stared.
“You’re wrong.””
“Am I?””
Marcus looked upstairs.
“Look what happened.””
Victor’s hands tightened.
“You touched my son.””
Marcus smiled.
“And yet you’re still standing here talking.””
Victor stepped forward.
“You made one mistake.””
Marcus frowned.
“What?””
“You thought I was still the man who ignored the signs.””
The mansion doors opened.
Police officers entered.
Marcus froze.
Victor continued.
“Everything you said was recorded.””
Marcus looked furious.
“You planned this.””
“Yes.””
Marcus laughed.
“You think that’s enough?””
He reached into his pocket.
Everyone moved.
But he didn’t pull a weapon.
He pulled a photograph.
Victor recognized it.
The same hospital room.
The same day Ethan was born.
Marcus placed it on the table.
“You want the final secret?””
Victor didn’t answer.
Marcus smiled.
“Ask Elena.””
Victor froze.
“Don’t say her name.””
Marcus looked almost amused.
“Because you still love her.””
Silence.
Then Marcus said:
“She knew.””
Victor felt his stomach drop.
“Knew what?””
Marcus leaned closer.
“That Ethan was in danger.””
Victor stared.
“She protected him.””
“Yes.””
“From you?””
“No.””
Marcus smiled.
“From what you would become if you knew the truth.””
The words made no sense.
Until Victor saw the photograph again.
And noticed something.
A person standing behind Elena.
Someone he recognized.
Someone who had been there the entire time.
The doctor.
The doctor who delivered Ethan.
Victor looked at Amelia.
Her face had gone pale.
“Who was he?””
Amelia whispered:
“The man who changed the records.””
Victor looked back at Marcus.
“Where is he?””
Marcus smiled.
“Too late.””
Then every phone in the room received the same message.
One sentence.
One name.
May you like
And Victor realized Marcus wasn’t the final enemy.
*Dr. Adrian Vale is alive.*
