Chapter 12 - THE RESCUE
We traced the call.
An abandoned warehouse near the harbor.
My father insisted on coming.
Ryan did too.
Alexander tried to stop me.
I refused.
“They're my children.”
We arrived at midnight.
The warehouse was dark.
Too quiet.
Ryan whispered:
“Stay behind me.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
We entered.
Then the lights came on.
Victor stood on a balcony.
Beside him were two men.
And behind them—
Lily.
Her wrists were tied.
I screamed.
“Lily!”
She cried.
“Mommy!”
Victor smiled.
“Welcome.”
“Let her go.”
“Give me the trust.”
I held up the document.
“First, release her.”
“No.”
Ryan stepped forward.
“You want the company?”
Victor looked at him.
“Yes.”
“Then take me instead.”
Victor laughed.
“You think you're valuable?”
Ryan looked at him.
“To you? No.”
He pointed at Lily.
“But I'm her father.”
Victor's smile faded.
“And I'll die before I let you hurt her.”
For a moment, no one moved.
Then my father stepped forward.
“Victor.”
Victor turned.
“You.”
“Yes.”
“I've waited thirty years for this.”
My father lowered his weapon.
“I know.”
“Give me the company.”
“No.”
Victor laughed.
“Then your daughter dies.”
My father looked at me.
“I made mistakes.”
Then he looked at Victor.
“But I won't make another.”
He threw the weapon aside.
“I'll trade myself.”
Victor stared.
“You're serious?”
“Yes.”
My mother appeared behind us.
“Daniel!”
My father looked at her.
“I love you.”
Then everything happened at once.
Alexander's security team stormed the warehouse.
The lights exploded.
Gunfire echoed.
Ryan ran toward Lily.
I ran too.
A man grabbed my arm.
I fought him.
Ryan pulled him away.
I reached Lily.
“Mommy!”
I untied her.
She threw herself into my arms.
Then Ethan and Evan appeared from another room.
Alive.
Terrified.
But safe.
I hugged all three.
Ryan stood beside us, crying.
“Thank God.”
We ran outside.
Police arrived minutes later.
Victor was arrested.
But before they took him away, he looked at me.
“You think this is over?”
I said nothing.
He smiled.
“You still don't know what your mother did.”
My mother froze.
I turned.
“Mom?”
Victor laughed.
“She'll tell you.”
Then he was taken away.
I looked at my mother.
“What did you do?”
She couldn't answer.
Ryan whispered:
“Mariana…”
My mother finally spoke.
May you like
“I killed someone.”
The world stopped.
