Chapter 8: The Man Who Knew Too Much
I didn’t speak after the call ended.
Neither did Ethan.
The silence between us was heavier than any argument.
Finally, I picked up the USB drive.
“Start talking.””
Ethan looked at me.
“Daniel…”
“Now.””
He nodded slowly.
“I didn’t tell you everything because I was afraid you would hate me.””
I laughed quietly.
“Ethan, we’re already past that.””
He looked down.
“I wasn’t just investigating Marcus.””
“What do you mean?””
“I was working with him.””
The words made my body go still.
“What?””
“Not willingly.””
“Explain.””
Ethan took a deep breath.
“Before the accident, I was in trouble.””
I stared at him.
“What kind of trouble?””
“Debt.””
I frowned.
“You?””
He nodded.
“I made bad investments. Lost money. A lot of money.””
I shook my head.
“That doesn’t explain anything.””
“Marcus knew.””
The room felt colder.
“He found out and used it against me.””
“How?””
“He told me I could either help him or he would expose everything.””
I stared at him.
“So you helped him?””
“For a while.””
The honesty made my anger return.
“What did you do?””
Ethan looked away.
“I gave him information.””
My stomach turned.
“What information?””
“Your schedule.””
I stood frozen.
“My schedule?””
He nodded.
“When you left work. When you traveled. When you were alone.””
The realization hit me.
“You helped him find the right time.””
“No.””
His voice cracked.
“No, Daniel. I never knew he was going to hurt you.””
“But you made it easier.””
He closed his eyes.
“Yes.””
I looked away.
The man who had been my brother in everything except blood had helped create the situation that almost killed me.
“Why should I believe anything you say now?””
“You shouldn’t.””
That answer surprised me.
Ethan looked at me.
“I know I don’t deserve your trust.””
“Then why are you here?””
“Because I want to stop them.””
I looked at the USB drive.
“What’s on this?””
“Proof.””
“Proof of what?””
“Everything.””
He opened his laptop.
Inside were folders.
Hundreds of files.
Messages.
Photos.
Audio recordings.
Financial documents.
The first file was a recording.
Ethan clicked it.
Claire’s voice filled the coffee shop.
“I don’t want him dead.””
I froze.
Marcus answered.
“Then what do you want?””
“I want him unable to fight back.””
The recording continued.
“If Daniel can’t work, can’t make decisions, and can’t control his company, we get everything.””
Marcus laughed.
“And if he doesn’t survive?””
A pause.
Then Claire said:
“Then we don’t have a problem.””
I closed my eyes.
Even though I expected it…
hearing her voice still hurt.
Ethan stopped the recording.
“I’m sorry.””
I stared at the table.
“Did she ever love me?””
Ethan didn’t answer.
Because there was no answer.
Maybe she did once.
Maybe she didn’t.
Maybe some people could love you and still destroy you.
My phone buzzed.
A message from Claire.
*“We need to talk. Alone.””*
I showed Ethan.
He frowned.
“She knows.””
“How?””
“Maybe she saw you leave.””
I looked out the window.
“She wants to meet.””
Ethan shook his head.
“Don’t go.””
“Why?””
“Because it’s a trap.””
I looked at him.
“Everything is a trap now.””
He had no response.
An hour later, I sat across from Claire in a quiet restaurant.
She looked nervous.
Not guilty.
Nervous.
That difference mattered.
“Daniel,” she said softly.
I didn’t respond.
She looked at my wheelchair.
And for a second, I saw something familiar.
The woman who used to care.
Then it disappeared.
“I know you’re angry.””
“Angry?””
I smiled.
“That’s what you call this?””
She looked down.
“I made mistakes.””
“Mistakes?””
I leaned forward.
“You planned my life without me.””
She looked up.
“I never wanted you hurt.””
I stared at her.
“Really?””
“Yes.””
“Then why did you write that if I didn’t recover, everything would be easier?””
Her face went pale.
She knew.
She knew I had seen it.
“I…”
She stopped.
I waited.
But instead of explaining, she changed direction.
“You don’t understand what happened.””
“Then explain.””
She looked around.
Then whispered:
“Marcus forced me.””
I almost laughed.
“Of course.””
“It’s true.””
“Claire, you chose him.””
“No.””
She grabbed my hand.
I pulled away.
“I was trying to protect you.””
The words were unbelievable.
“Protect me?””
“Yes.””
“From what?””
She looked terrified.
Then she whispered:
“From the person who started all of this.””
I stared at her.
“Who?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
And for the first time since I came home…
she looked genuinely afraid.
“Your father.””
I froze.
“My father is dead.””
“I know.””
“Then what are you talking about?””
She looked toward the door.
Like she was afraid someone was watching.
“Daniel…”
Her voice dropped.
“Your father didn’t die naturally.””
May you like
The restaurant suddenly felt silent.
“He was murdered.””