Chapter 8: The Meeting That Changed Everything
Chapter 8: The Meeting That Changed Everything
Alexander agreed to meet the next morning.
Not at the family estate.
Not at the company.
A small coffee shop downtown.
A public place.
Safe.
Or at least that was what he wanted me to believe.
I arrived first.
Old habits.
Always check exits.
Always watch reflections.
Always know who is behind you.
Five minutes later, Alexander walked in.
He looked exhausted.
Older.
Not like the brother I remembered.
Like someone carrying a secret too heavy to hide.
He sat across from me.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then he smiled sadly.
"You look different."
I studied him.
"So do you."
His eyes dropped.
"I heard about Grant."
"Did you?"
He nodded.
"I'm sorry."
I almost laughed.
"Are you?"
His expression tightened.
"Evelyn."
"No."
I placed the folder on the table.
His face changed when he saw it.
Just slightly.
But enough.
"Why?"
The question came out softer than I expected.
"Why would you do this?"
Alexander looked around.
Then whispered:
"I didn't."
I said nothing.
"I swear to you, Evelyn. I didn't leak anything."
"Then why is your name in the file?"
He rubbed his face.
"Because I was investigating someone."
"Who?"
He looked at me.
"Grant."
Silence.
"What?"
Alexander leaned closer.
"I knew something was wrong months ago."
I listened.
"Grant started moving money. Small amounts at first. Then larger transfers."
My heart sank.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I didn't have proof."
He looked down.
"And because I knew you were already risking your life every day."
I softened slightly.
But only slightly.
"Then why were you asking about my missions?"
His expression changed.
"Because I was trying to protect you."
"By knowing classified information?"
"No."
He shook his head.
"Someone was using my company access to search your files."
My eyes narrowed.
"What company access?"
Alexander hesitated.
Then:
"Someone hacked my credentials."
The pieces moved again.
Not Alexander.
Someone using Alexander.
"Who?"
He looked terrified.
"Evelyn..."
"Who?"
He whispered:
"Your husband."
The world became silent.
Again.
Grant.
Not just betrayal.
Not just cheating.
Not just abuse.
A deeper plan.
A bigger conspiracy.
Alexander pulled a small device from his pocket.
"I found this hidden in Grant's office."
I stared at it.
"What is it?"
"A backup drive."
"What's inside?"
He looked at me.
"Everything."
Before I could answer, the coffee shop lights flickered.
Alexander immediately looked toward the window.
"What?"
His face changed.
"We need to leave."
"Why?"
He stood.
"Because whoever was watching us just realized I gave you the evidence."
A car engine roared outside.
Black SUV.
Too familiar.
My instincts activated instantly.
"Move."
We ran.
And for the first time since returning home...
May you like
I wasn't chasing the enemy.
The enemy was chasing me.
