Chapter 6 - THE BROTHER WHO DIED
Ethan Cross looked exactly like the man Adrian remembered.
Older.
Thinner.
A scar crossed his jaw.
But the eyes were the same.
Cold.
Intelligent.
Patient.
Claire sat across from him in a private hospital room.
Her wrists were tied, but she wasn't afraid anymore.
She had finally realized something.
Ethan needed her alive.
That meant she had power.
"You were supposed to be dead," she said.
Ethan smiled.
"So was your marriage."
Claire stared at him.
"You caused the miscarriage."
His smile disappeared.
"I arranged it."
Claire's stomach turned.
"Why?"
"Because Adrian needed to remain childless."
"Why?"
"Because my family was built on inheritance."
Claire looked at him.
"Your family?"
"Our grandfather created the organization."
"He left it to Adrian."
"He left it to the strongest son."
"Adrian was stronger."
"No."
Ethan leaned closer.
"Adrian was simply more ruthless."
Claire shook her head.
"Then why didn't you kill him?"
"Because killing Adrian would have made him a martyr."
He smiled.
"Destroying him slowly was better."
Claire's eyes filled with anger.
"You destroyed me."
"No."
Ethan shook his head.
"Adrian did that."
The words hurt because Claire had once believed the same thing.
But now she knew.
"You're wrong."
Ethan frowned.
"About what?"
"Adrian is not the man you think he is."
"He abandoned you."
"Yes."
"He ignored your illness."
"Yes."
"He was going to divorce you."
"Yes."
Ethan smiled.
"Then you understand."
"No."
Claire looked directly at him.
"I understand that he was wrong."
Ethan's smile faded.
"And I understand that he is changing."
The door opened.
Daniel Mercer entered.
Claire stared.
Daniel looked nervous.
"You said she'd be alone."
Ethan glanced at him.
"Plans change."
Daniel approached.
"Victor wants the drive."
Claire said nothing.
Daniel looked at her.
"You should have given it up."
Claire laughed.
"You think this ends when you get the drive?"
Daniel lowered his voice.
"You don't understand who you're dealing with."
"I understand perfectly."
She looked at Ethan.
"He'll kill you too."
Ethan's expression hardened.
Daniel looked at him.
"She's right."
Ethan ignored him.
"Where is it?"
Claire smiled.
"You tell me."
Ethan's eyes narrowed.
"You don't have it."
"No."
"Then who does?"
Claire said nothing.
The truth was Adrian had it.
But Ethan didn't know that.
Meanwhile, Adrian stood inside the old Cross family chapel.
Michael placed a laptop on the table.
"We found the original files."
Adrian stared at the screen.
Bank transfers.
Medical records.
Phone logs.
Everything connected back to Victor.
But one file stopped him.
PROJECT LANTERN.
He opened it.
Inside was a photograph of Claire.
Taken fourteen months earlier.
She was walking out of the foundation office.
Another photo showed Adrian.
Then a third.
Claire's medical chart.
Then another.
Their wedding certificate.
Adrian looked at Michael.
"They've been tracking us for years."
Michael nodded.
"And someone inside your organization has been feeding them information."
"Victor."
"Not only Victor."
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"Who else?"
Michael hesitated.
"Marcus."
Adrian looked up.
"What?"
"He was listed in the communications."
Adrian's stomach dropped.
"No."
"I checked twice."
"Marcus has been loyal to me for fifteen years."
"People change."
Adrian refused to believe it.
Then his phone rang.
Marcus.
Adrian answered.
"Where are you?"
"Looking for Claire."
"Where?"
"Mercy General."
Adrian closed his eyes.
"She's not there."
A pause.
"I know."
Adrian's eyes opened.
"What did you say?"
"I know."
The line went silent.
Adrian's voice became cold.
"Marcus."
"I didn't betray you."
"Then explain."
"I was trying to protect Claire."
"From whom?"
"You."
Adrian's face hardened.
"Why?"
"Because Victor told me if I didn't cooperate, he would expose what happened to your father."
Adrian froze.
"My father?"
"Your father didn't die in an accident."
Silence.
"Marcus."
"He was murdered."
Adrian's hand tightened around the phone.
"By whom?"
Marcus whispered,
"Your mother."
Adrian couldn't breathe.
Then the lights in the chapel went out.
A gunshot exploded.
Michael fell.
Adrian drew his weapon.
And from the darkness came a voice.
"Now you finally understand, Adrian."
May you like
Ethan.
"You've been fighting the wrong enemy your entire life."
