Chapter 6 - The Billionaire's EnemyDeclan finally told her what his family had done.
They moved into a secure penthouse before sunset.
Isa hated it.
The windows were bulletproof.
The doors required biometric access.
There were cameras everywhere.
Two security officers sat in the hall.
She felt imprisoned.
Declan found her standing by the window.
"I know."
She didn't turn.
"You don't know anything."
"I know what this feels like."
"No, you don't."
He came closer.
"You're right."
She finally looked at him.
"You've had a lifetime to prepare for people like this."
"So have you."
"I grew up believing my father died in an accident."
"Because your mother wanted you to have a normal life."
"She lied."
"To keep you alive."
Isa laughed bitterly.
"That worked brilliantly."
Declan stood beside her.
"My family isn't innocent."
"I know."
"No. You don't."
He looked out at the city.
"My grandfather built Harrison Strategic before it became what it is."
He paused.
"He stole client lists."
Isa turned.
"He ruined competitors."
Another pause.
"He paid people to disappear."
She stared.
"Your grandfather?"
"Yes."
"And your father?"
"My father tried to expose him."
"What happened?"
"He died."
Isa went silent.
"How?"
"Car accident."
Her stomach dropped.
"Like mine?"
Declan looked at her.
"Exactly."
Neither spoke.
He continued.
"My grandfather convinced everyone the accident was unrelated."
"Was it?"
"I don't know."
"Then why are you running the company?"
"Because I spent years trying to destroy what my family built from inside."
Isa stared.
"You became the billionaire you hate."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because power is easier to dismantle when you control it."
That answer landed differently.
She looked at the man she had kissed.
The man who made terrible jokes.
The man who had admitted he was afraid of butterflies.
The man whose family history was stained with blood.
"I don't know whether I can trust you."
"I know."
"You're not angry?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I don't trust myself either."
She stepped closer.
"Then why are you still here?"
He looked at her.
"Because the first night I met you, you didn't know my name."
She frowned.
"And?"
"For the first time in my life, someone looked at me without wanting something."
His voice cracked slightly.
"I don't want to lose that."
Isa touched his cheek.
Then kissed him.
Not gently.
Not carefully.
It was a kiss filled with fear, anger, and the desperate need to believe that something good could survive inside a terrible story.
When they pulled apart, her forehead rested against his.
"Don't lie to me again."
"I won't."
"Promise."
"I promise."
His phone rang.
He answered.
"Yes?"
The call lasted less than ten seconds.
He hung up.
"What happened?"
"My security team found your mother's location."
"Where?"
Declan stared at her.
"An old Vale property in Connecticut."
They arrived at midnight.
The mansion stood behind iron gates.
No lights.
No guards.
Nothing.
"Too quiet," Declan said.
They entered.
The air smelled like dust.
Then Isa heard something.
A faint tapping.
From upstairs.
They ran.
Her mother sat in a chair.
Alive.
Untied.
Waiting.
Isa rushed toward her.
"Mom."
Her mother grabbed her.
"They let me go."
"Why?"
She looked over Isa's shoulder.
At Declan.
Then whispered:
"Because they already got what they wanted."
Declan's face hardened.
"What?"
Her mother reached into her coat.
She held out an old envelope.
"Your grandfather's letter."
Declan opened it.
He read.
Then read it again.
His expression changed.
"What does it say?"
He handed it to Isa.
Her eyes moved across the page.
To my grandson, Declan.
If the girl ever returns, you must marry her.
Isa stopped breathing.
She looked up.
"What?"
Declan stared at her.
His grandfather's letter continued:
May you like
Only then will the inheritance transfer.
:::
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