🔥 CHAPTER 8 — Rebecca's Final Confession
No more," Rebecca whispered.
Nathan turned sharply.
"What did you say?"
"I said no more."
She stepped between the guards and our daughters.
"I won't let you touch them again."
Nathan laughed.
"You've suddenly become a mother?"
Rebecca's hands shook violently.
"I became one the day I realized what we'd created."
Nathan's expression darkened.
"You were part of this."
"I know."
"You signed every document."
"I know."
"You helped recruit families."
Rebecca nodded.
"I know."
Each confession struck me harder than the last.
She looked at me through tears.
"I never wanted this life."
"Then why?"
Nathan answered before she could.
"Because I owned her."
He pulled a small file from his coat and threw it onto the floor.
Hospital records.
Old photographs.
Police reports.
Rebecca's father had owed millions to Nathan's criminal network.
When she was only twenty-one, Nathan offered a deal.
Marry Elias.
Gain access to his inheritance.
Raise children we could control.
Or watch your father disappear.
Rebecca chose her family.
Then lost herself.
She looked at Josephine.
"I thought if I obeyed... eventually he'd let you go."
Josephine whispered,
"He never was going to."
Rebecca nodded.
"I know."
Nathan slowly drew his pistol.
"You've become a liability."
He pointed it directly at Rebecca.
I lunged.
The gunshot echoed through the hallway.
Rebecca collapsed into my arms.
Blood spread across her white blouse.
She smiled weakly.
"Elias..."
"I'm sorry..."
She reached into her pocket and pressed a tiny silver key into my hand.
"Basement..."
"Locker..."
"Everything..."
Her hand fell limp.
Josephine screamed so loudly the entire building seemed to shake.
Nathan smiled.
May you like
"Now..."
"Who's next?"
