Chapter 13 - THE FINAL BETRAYALI met Kyle at an abandoned restaurant.
He sat alone.
No security.
No weapons visible.
“You came.”
“Tell me about Project Eve.”
He sighed.
“I don't know everything.”
“Then start with what you know.”
Kyle opened a folder.
Inside were documents bearing my father's signature.
“We were monitoring you.”
“Since when?”
“Since before our marriage.”
My hands tightened.
“You knew.”
“Not everything.”
“Who paid you?”
“Nobody.”
“That isn't true.”
He looked away.
“Elias contacted me.”
“For what?”
“To marry you.”
The words hit harder than any slap.
I stared at him.
“He arranged our marriage?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To test your DNA response.”
I stood.
“I was an experiment.”
Kyle nodded.
“I didn't know at first.”
“When did you know?”
“After the wedding.”
“And you stayed.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He looked at me.
“Because I fell in love with you.”
I laughed.
“You cheated.”
“Yes.”
“You hit me.”
“I know.”
“You let Thalia humiliate me.”
“Yes.”
“You don't get to say love.”
Kyle lowered his eyes.
“I deserve that.”
I started walking away.
“Wait.”
“What?”
He handed me a drive.
“This is everything.”
I took it.
“What is this?”
“Proof.”
“Proof of what?”
“That your father is not the one running Project Eve.”
I froze.
“Then who?”
Kyle looked at me.
“Elias.”
I turned.
“Your grandfather designed the original system.”
“Then why did my father participate?”
“Because he tried to destroy it.”
I stared.
“And my mother?”
“She helped him.”
“Kyle.”
He took a breath.
“You asked why your mother disappeared.”
I nodded.
“She went into hiding because she realized Elias had another child.”
“Who?”
Kyle said nothing.
“Who?”
He looked frightened.
“Me.”
My stomach dropped.
“What?”
“Nathan isn't my biological father.”
“Then…”
“Kyle is my name.”
He looked at me.
“But my bloodline isn't Whitmore.”
“Who is your father?”
He whispered:
“Elias Calder.”
Silence.
I stepped backward.
“You're lying.”
“I wish I were.”
“So Kyle…”
“He is my son.”
Elias's voice came from the doorway.
I turned.
He stood there.
Kyle looked down.
Elias smiled.
“Family reunion.”
I froze.
“You planned my marriage.”
“Yes.”
“You knew everything.”
“Yes.”
“You used Kyle.”
“Yes.”
“You killed my grandfather?”
Elias laughed.
“I am your grandfather.”
“What do you want?”
“You.”
I clenched my fists.
“You already have everything.”
“Not Project Eve.”
“I don't know the code.”
“You don't need the code.”
He walked closer.
“Your mother was wrong.”
He looked at Kyle.
“You were the key.”
Then my father stepped into the room.
Gun raised.
“Step away from my daughter.”
Elias smiled.
Victor and Elias stared at each other.
“Victor.”
“Elias.”
“You've wasted twenty years.”
“You should have stayed dead.”
Elias laughed.
“I never intended to.”
Suddenly the restaurant doors exploded inward.
Armed men stormed inside.
Shots rang out.
I dropped behind a table.
Kyle dragged me down.
My father exchanged fire.
Elias disappeared.
Then Kyle pushed me toward the back door.
“Go!”
“What about you?”
“I'll slow them down.”
He shoved the drive into my hand.
“Trust nobody.”
A bullet struck the wall beside us.
Kyle turned.
A gunman raised his weapon.
Kyle stepped in front of me.
The shot hit him.
He collapsed.
“Kyle!”
I caught him.
Blood soaked my hands.
He looked up.
“Run.”
“No.”
“Isabella…”
His eyes closed.
I screamed.
Behind us, my father's men pushed into the room.
But Elias was gone.
So was the drive.
Someone had taken it.
I turned toward the broken doorway.
And saw Thalia standing there.
Holding the drive.
She looked at me.
“I never wanted this.”
Then she ran.
I chased her.
But before I reached the street, she disappeared into a black car.
My phone rang.
Elias.
“Your husband is alive.”
I stopped.
“He will stay alive.”
“What do you want?”
“Midnight.”
“Where?”
“Calder Tower.”
“And if I don't come?”
A pause.
“You'll lose Kyle.”
Then his voice softened.
“And your father.”
The call ended.
I looked up at Calder Tower.
Every floor was dark.
Except the top.
May you like
One light burned.
Waiting.
