Chapter 11: The Last Game
Darkness has a way of revealing people.
Without lights.
Without screens.
Without the distractions of expensive offices and polished appearances.
People become exactly who they are.
The emergency lights flickered on after a few seconds.
Employees began moving through the halls.
Confused.
Afraid.
Marcus didn’t move.
He stared at the flash drive.
“What did it do?””
Daniel looked nervous.
“I don’t know.””
“You gave me something you didn’t understand?””
Daniel looked at him.
“I thought it was just the files.””
Marcus walked to his desk.
“No.””
He connected the drive to an isolated computer.
The screen remained black.
Then a timer appeared.
00:19:42
I felt my stomach drop.
“What is that?””
Marcus didn’t answer.
Daniel stepped closer.
“A countdown.””
“To what?””
Marcus looked at the screen.
“To a release.””
I frowned.
“Release of what?””
Marcus’ expression darkened.
“My father’s insurance.””
The timer continued.
The numbers decreased.
00:19:20.
I looked at him.
“You knew about this?””
“No.””
“Then why did you call it that?””
Marcus looked at me.
“Because Richard never creates one plan.””
The sentence reminded me of my childhood.
My father always had backup plans.
Backup houses.
Backup accounts.
Backup excuses.
He never trusted anyone.
Not even family.
“He probably knew the files could be stolen,” Marcus continued.
“So he built something that would trigger if they were accessed.””
Daniel looked sick.
“Then we need to stop it.””
Marcus nodded.
“Yes.””
“How?””
“I don’t know yet.””
That was the first time I had ever heard Marcus admit uncertainty.
It scared me.
The elevator suddenly came back online.
A notification appeared on every screen in the building.
Incoming call.
Private number.
Marcus answered.
My father’s face appeared.
Sitting calmly.
Like he was calling for a business meeting.
“Richard.””
Marcus’ voice was ice.
My father smiled.
“Still dramatic, Marcus.””
“You kidnapped Elaine.””
“I prefer the term negotiation.””
I stepped toward the screen.
“You’re insane.””
My father looked at me.
“Vanessa.””
Again.
That word.
That tone.
Like he was speaking to someone he owned.
“You have no idea what you’re involved in.””
“No.””
I looked directly at him.
“I know exactly what I’m involved in.””
His smile faded slightly.
“Do you?””
“Yes.””
I glanced at Marcus.
“I’m involved in fixing the damage you caused.””
My father leaned back.
“You sound like him.””
“Like who?””
“Marcus.””
The way he said the name made his hatred obvious.
“You always were impressed by him.””
I froze.
“What?””
My father smiled.
“You think I didn’t notice?””
The room went silent.
“When you were with him, you looked at him like he was the only person who mattered.””
I swallowed.
“And that bothered you?””
“Yes.””
The honesty shocked me.
“Why?””
“Because he made you independent.””
My father’s voice lowered.
“And I spent your entire life making sure you understood the world needed protection.””
I stared.
“You didn’t protect me.””
“No?””
“You controlled me.””
For the first time, my father looked hurt.
Not angry.
Hurt.
And somehow that was worse.
“You don’t understand what I sacrificed.””
I laughed.
“Your pride?””
His eyes hardened.
“Everything I did was for you.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“You did everything for yourself and used me as the excuse.””
Marcus watched quietly.
My father noticed.
“You see?””
He pointed at Marcus.
“He taught you rebellion.””
“No.””
I looked at Marcus.
“He taught me the truth.””
The timer reached:
00:10:00
My father glanced at it.
“Time is running out.””
Marcus stepped forward.
“What do you want?””
My father smiled.
“The evidence.””
“You already know I won’t give it to you.””
“Actually…”
He looked at me.
“I know exactly what you’ll do.””
My stomach tightened.
“What does that mean?””
The video changed.
My mother appeared.
She was sitting in a chair.
Awake.
Scared.
My father stood behind her.
“If you don’t come here, she loses her chance to explain herself.””
I looked at my mother.
She shook her head.
No.
Not to go.
Marcus saw it.
“She’s warning you.””
“I know.””
My father smiled.
“Smart man.””
Marcus stared.
“What?””
“You always were better at reading people than Vanessa.””
The insult made me angry.
But Marcus ignored it.
My father continued.
“Come alone, Marcus.””
“No.””
“Then Vanessa comes alone.””
I stepped forward.
“I’ll come.””
“Vanessa.””
Marcus’ voice stopped me.
I looked at him.
“No more running.””
He understood.
Because he knew what I meant.
No more hiding.
No more letting people choose for me.
My father smiled.
“Good.””
The video ended.
Marcus looked at me.
“You can’t go alone.””
“I won’t.””
Daniel looked surprised.
“What?””
I looked at both men.
“My father expects us to make the same mistakes.””
I picked up the flash drive.
“He thinks Marcus will sacrifice himself.””
I looked at Daniel.
“He thinks you’ll be too guilty to fight back.””
Then I looked at Marcus.
“And he thinks I’m still the woman who walked away.””
Marcus’ expression softened.
“What are you saying?””
I looked at the countdown.
00:07:12.
“I’m saying we stop playing his game.””
Marcus stared at me.
Then smiled slightly.
The first real smile I had seen in years.
“Now you sound like yourself.””
But before we could move, Daniel’s phone rang.
He answered.
His face changed immediately.
“What?””
He listened.
Then slowly looked at us.
“It’s my sister.””
“What happened?””
Daniel’s voice shook.
“She’s gone.””
The room froze.
“Who took her?””
Daniel looked at Marcus.
Then at me.
May you like
And whispered:
“Your father.””
