Chapter 15: The Price of the Truth

I barely escaped Dominic’s penthouse before the walls seemed to close in around me. My breath was ragged, and my heart raced uncontrollably. The files in my hands felt like a heavy burden as I stumbled toward the elevator. I had to get away.

“Elena.”

Dominic’s voice sliced through the chaos swirling within me. I turned to see him standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable and his jaw tight, which only fueled the anger boiling inside me.

“You deceived me.” My voice trembled, but I didn’t care. “You kept this from me.” I raised the files as evidence.

His eyes darkened. “It wasn’t the right moment.”

I let out a harsh laugh. “The right moment? My father had my mother murdered, and you’ve known this all along. Do you even grasp what that implies?”

His jaw tightened. “Yes, I understand.”

I shook my head, taking a step back. “I can’t— I need some distance.”

I turned back to the elevator, pressing the button with urgency. 

Suddenly, Dominic was right behind me, his presence exuding a quiet intensity. “Where are you headed?”

“Away from you.”

“Elena—”

I spun around to confront him, fire coursing through my veins. “You don’t have the right to keep me here like I’m just another one of your business deals.”

His eyes flashed with a dangerous glint. “That’s not my intention.”

“Really?” I crossed my arms, injecting strength into my voice. “Because it certainly feels like I’ve been manipulated.”

Dominic stepped closer. “I promised I would tell you—”

“But you didn’t.”

A heavy silence hung between us. 

The elevator doors opened. 

I didn’t hesitate. I stepped inside, clutching the file as if it were my only anchor in this tumultuous world.

“Elena.”

This time, his voice was gentler. 

I met his gaze, and I saw a flicker of uncertainty in his expression. For a brief moment, I thought he might try to stop me. 

But he didn’t. 

As the doors closed between us, I felt a part of me shatter.

****

I drove on autopilot, my hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. My father's estate appeared on the horizon, and with each passing mile, my anger grew stronger. 

I should have exercised caution. I should have thought things through. 

But all I could picture was my mother’s face. 

By the time I arrived at the entrance, I hardly remembered parking the car. 

I burst through the grand entrance, disregarding the surprised looks from the staff. 

“Where is he?” I demanded. 

The butler paused for a moment. “Your father is in his office, Miss Sinclair.” 

Naturally. 

I didn’t bother to knock. I pushed the heavy doors open and entered his immaculate office. 

George Sinclair glanced up from his desk, a hint of surprise crossing his face. 

“Elena.” He set his pen aside. “What brings you here in such a dramatic fashion?” 

I slammed a file down onto his desk. 

His eyes darted to it and then back to me. 

“I assume you’ve been quite busy,” he remarked smoothly. 

My breaths came in quick, furious gasps. “You killed her.” 

His expression remained unchanged, devoid of any hint of remorse. 

“Elena—” 

“Don’t.” My voice trembled. “Don’t lie to me.” 

George sighed and leaned back in his chair. 

“I did what was necessary.” 

The icy tone of his voice sent a chill through me. 

I shook my head. “She was your wife. She loved you.” 

He exhaled slowly, as if I were being unreasonable. “And she became a liability.” 

My stomach twisted in knots. 

“I don’t understand,” I whispered. 

“You don’t need to understand,” he replied coolly. “You need to accept the truth.” 

I clutched the edge of the desk. “Truth?” My voice rose. “The truth is that you had her killed—” 

“She betrayed me first,” he interrupted, his voice sharp. 

I froze. 

“What?” 

George stood up, his movements slow and deliberate. 

“She was collaborating with the Caldwells,” he stated. “With Dominic’s father.” 

The air rushed out of my lungs. 

No. 

That couldn’t possibly be true. 

“You’re lying.” 

George’s expression remained unchanged. “Am I?” 

I took a step back, my mind racing as the walls seemed to close in around me. 

Nothing made sense anymore.

“Elena,” he said softly. “You have a decision to make.”  

I swallowed hard. “What decision?”  

He smiled slightly. “You can either keep following this reckless path… or you can choose to stand with your family.”  

I let out a bitter laugh. “My family? The same family that killed my mother?”  

His demeanor shifted, becoming more serious. “I protected us. Now, I need you to do the same.”  

I shook my head in disbelief. “You want me to lie.”  

“Elena—”  

“I don’t trust you.” My voice trembled with emotion. “I will never trust you.”  

He sighed, his patience wearing thin. “Then you leave me no option.”  

Before I could respond, he pressed a button beneath his desk.  

The doors burst open.  

Armed men surged into the room.  

My heart raced.  

“You’re making a mistake,” I murmured.  

George’s face remained unnervingly calm. “No, Elena.”  

His tone was definitive.  

“You did.”  

I was outnumbered.  

Two guards seized my arms before I could grab my phone.  

Panic surged within me, but I forced myself to remain composed.  

Think. Think.  

“Elena,” George said, observing me with a hint of pity. “You could have had it all.”  

I gritted my teeth. “I don’t want your ‘all.’”  

His lips pressed into a thin line. “That’s too bad.”  

Time was slipping away.  

Then—I heard it.  

Gunfire.  

Chaos erupted around us as shouts echoed through the estate.  

The guards holding me faltered just long enough.  

I broke free, pushing one aside.  

George yelled something, but I didn’t look back.  

I ran.  

Bullets ricocheted off the marble walls as I dashed through the corridors.  

I had no idea who was attacking the estate, but I wasn’t going to waste this chance.  

I reached the entrance just as a familiar car screeched to a halt outside.  

Dominic.  

His gaze locked onto mine, his expression unreadable.  

“Get in.”  

I didn’t think twice.  

I jumped into the passenger seat.  

Before I could even catch my breath, Dominic slammed on the gas, and we sped into the night.  

****

For a long moment, neither of us spoke.

I could still feel the ghost of my father’s grip on my arms. The cold weight of his betrayal.

Finally, I exhaled. “How did you know?”

Dominic kept his eyes on the road. “I didn’t trust him.” His voice was flat. “I followed you.”

I swallowed. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.”

Dominic’s grip tightened on the wheel. “Believe this.” His voice was quiet but firm.

“I’m not going to let him have you.”

I turned to look at him.

And for the first time in a long time, I didn’t know if I was running from my father…

Or straight into something even more dangerous.