Chapter 9 - The Letter)
Elena opened the envelope.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
Her father's handwriting.
She recognized it immediately.
He wrote about love.
About trust.
About the danger of confusing loyalty with obedience.
Then came the sentence that changed everything.
I knew Thomas would return.
Elena stopped reading.
Her father had known.
He had known Thomas was alive.
He had known Julian's family was involved.
And he had known Elena would eventually be targeted.
The letter explained why Julian had been chosen as her husband.
Not because her father trusted him.
Because he believed Julian was the only Carter who might choose Elena over the family.
Elena looked at Julian.
"Did you?"
Julian's eyes filled with tears.
"Yes."
"Then why did you betray me?"
"I didn't."
Elena shook her head.
"You lied."
"To protect you."
"You slept beside another woman."
"To make Thomas believe I had abandoned you."
"You let me think you hated me."
"Because if Thomas believed we were still together, he would have killed you."
The room fell silent.
Elena stared at him.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because your father made me promise."
"Why?"
Julian looked at the letter.
"Because there was someone inside your family."
Elena slowly turned toward Daniel.
Daniel's face went pale.
Julian continued.
"Your father didn't know who."
Daniel took a step backward.
"Julian."
"You knew about the letter."
Daniel said nothing.
Elena looked between them.
Then the lights went out.
A sound came from outside.
A car door slammed.
May you like
Julian immediately grabbed Elena's hand.
"Run."
