Chapter 6 - Gabriel Was Forced to Choose Between His Mother and the Woman He Loved
Victor sent us an address.
An abandoned church.
Inside was Lucía.
Alive.
Victor stood beside her.
“You brought the ledger?”
Gabriel held up the case.
“Yes.”
Victor smiled.
“Good.”
I stayed behind Gabriel.
Victor looked at me.
“You have your father's eyes.”
“I've heard that.”
He laughed.
“You don't know how much damage your father caused.”
“You killed him.”
“He forced my hand.”
Gabriel raised his weapon.
“Let her go.”
Victor shook his head.
“You always were emotional.”
“You're holding my mother.”
“And she's why you came.”
“Yes.”
Victor looked at me.
“She is also why your father died.”
I froze.
“What?”
Gabriel turned.
“What did you say?”
Victor smiled.
“Your father wasn't killed because of the ledger.”
“Then why?”
“He was protecting Lucía.”
The room went silent.
Victor explained.
Lucía had been forced to cooperate with him.
She had stolen information from Gabriel's father.
When Gabriel's father discovered it, Victor ordered the murder.
Lucía tried to save him.
She failed.
My father helped her escape.
Victor killed him too.
Gabriel looked destroyed.
“You're lying.”
“No.”
Victor pulled out a photograph.
Lucía stood beside Gabriel's father.
Another man stood behind them.
My father.
All three looked terrified.
“This was taken minutes before your father's death.”
Gabriel's hands shook.
“My father trusted you.”
Victor smiled.
“He trusted everyone.”
I looked at Lucía.
She was crying.
“Gabriel.”
He looked at her.
“It's true.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I couldn't lose you too.”
I stepped toward him.
“Gabriel.”
He looked at me.
“I don't know who I am anymore.”
I reached for his hand.
“You're still you.”
Victor interrupted.
“How touching.”
He raised his weapon.
“Enough.”
But before he could act, the church doors exploded open.
Federal agents stormed inside.
Victor's men scattered.
Gunfire erupted.
Gabriel pulled me behind a pillar.
Lucía was rescued.
Victor escaped again.
Afterward, Gabriel stood outside in the rain.
His mother approached him.
“I am sorry.”
He turned.
“You should have trusted me.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“Everyone says that.”
He looked at me.
“Everyone thinks they know what's best for me.”
I stepped closer.
“I don't.”
“What do you want?”
“You.”
He closed his eyes.
Then he hugged me.
For the first time, I felt how tired he really was.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
He had spent his entire life carrying secrets.
I held him.
“You don't have to carry everything alone.”
He whispered,
“I've never had anyone say that.”
May you like
I kissed his forehead.
“Then get used to it.”
