Chapter 6: The Girl In The Hidden Room
Theron had spent his entire life believing fear was something other people experienced.
Fear was for people who lacked control.
People who lacked power.
People who couldn't protect themselves.
Then he saw the photograph.
And every belief he had disappeared.
His daughter was somewhere unknown.
With a man he trusted.
A man who had betrayed him.
The world became simple.
Find Eirlys.
Everything else could wait.
Marcus grabbed his arm before he left.
"You cannot go alone.""
Theron looked at him.
"They have my daughter.""
"Exactly.""
"They want me angry.""
Marcus stared at him.
"And are you?""
Theron didn't answer.
Because the truth was obvious.
He was terrified.
Anger was easier.
Fear was something he could barely survive.
They tracked the message location to an abandoned Viremont property outside the city.
A house that had not been used in fifteen years.
Theron remembered it immediately.
His mother's old countryside home.
The place where she had spent her final summer.
The place Lucien had closed after her death.
His hands tightened around the steering wheel.
Why there?
When they arrived, Marcus called the police.
Theron ignored him.
He walked toward the house.
Every step felt heavier.
The front door was unlocked.
Inside, dust covered everything.
Old furniture.
Old photographs.
Old memories.
"Eirlys?""
His voice echoed.
Then he heard it.
"Daddy?""
He ran.
The sound came from downstairs.
A hidden basement.
He opened the door.
And there she was.
Alive.
Crying.
"Eirlys!""
She ran into his arms.
He held her so tightly she almost disappeared against him.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
His eyes filled.
"No. No, sweetheart. You did nothing wrong.""
Behind her stood Adrian.
Older.
Tired.
Broken.
Theron turned.
"What did you do?""
Adrian looked down.
"I protected her.""
Theron almost laughed.
"You kidnapped my daughter.""
"No.""
Adrian shook his head.
"I saved her from them.""
"Who?""
Adrian looked toward Eirlys.
"Your father.""
The words landed heavily.
Theron stepped forward.
"You expect me to believe that?""
"I expect you to listen.""
"No.""
Adrian reached into his coat.
Theron immediately moved in front of Eirlys.
But Adrian didn't pull a weapon.
He pulled out a small notebook.
An old one.
Leather cover.
Theron's face changed.
Because he knew it.
His mother's notebook.
"Where did you get that?""
Adrian's voice became quiet.
"Your mother gave it to me before she died.""
Theron's breath stopped.
"That's impossible.""
"Your father told you she died in an accident.""
Theron stared.
"She didn't?""
Adrian looked at him.
"No.""
The silence was unbearable.
Eirlys held onto Theron's hand.
Adrian opened the notebook.
"Your mother discovered what Lucien was doing.""
Theron's voice was barely audible.
"What was he doing?""
"Moving money. Hiding assets. Creating fake heirs.""
The same pattern.
The same obsession.
Control.
Adrian continued.
"Your mother planned to expose him.""
"And?""
Adrian looked away.
"She never got the chance.""
Theron felt cold.
"Are you saying my father killed her?""
Before Adrian could answer, footsteps echoed above them.
Someone was coming.
Adrian's expression changed.
"They found us.""
Theron turned.
"Who?""
The basement door slowly opened.
A shadow appeared.
Then a familiar voice spoke.
"You always were too curious, son.""
Theron's blood froze.
Lucien.
He stepped into the room.
But he wasn't alone.
Beside him stood Corisande.
Her eyes were red.
Her face pale.
Theron looked between them.
"You're working together.""
Corisande shook her head.
"No.""
Lucien smiled.
"She finally realized who the real enemy was.""
Theron stared.
Then Corisande whispered the words that changed everything.
"Theron...""
She looked at Eirlys.
"Your daughter wasn't the only child your father tried to erase.""
Theron went still.
"What?""
Corisande's lips trembled.
"Your mother had another child.""
Lucien's expression hardened.
"Enough.""
But it was too late.
Theron heard every word.
Another child.
Another secret.
Another lie buried beneath the Viremont name.
And then Eirlys looked up at him and said something that made his entire world collapse.
"Daddy...""
She pointed at Lucien.
"That's the man Mommy was scared of.""
Theron looked at his father.
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And for the first time in his life...
Lucien Viremont looked afraid.
