Chapter 6 - The Confession in the FireMax slowly stood up, releasing the clone, who lay coughing and wheezing against the altar steps. Director Vance’s tactical team moved in immediately, slapping heavy magnetic cuffs onto the clone’s wrists and dragging him away.
The cathedral was a scene of utter devastation. Expensive floral arrangements were trampled, the bridal veil was torn, and the guests were huddled near the exits, whispering in terror.
Elena stood alone at the center of the altar, staring at the man she had trusted with her soul.
"Elena," Max whispered, taking a hesitant step toward her. His hands were stained with blood—some his own, some the clone's. "Let me explain. It wasn't like that."
"Then tell me the truth," Elena demanded, her voice shaking with a terrifying calm. "Did you kill my father?"
Max squeezed his eyes shut, a single tear cutting through the dust and sweat on his cheek. "No. I didn't kill him. But... I let him burn."
The words hung in the cold air of the cathedral like a death sentence.
"What?" Elena breathed, stepping back as if he had struck her.
"Your father went mad trying to stop the project," Max explained, his voice breaking as he looked down at his bloodstained hands. "The corporation—the people Director Vance works for—they wanted the neural-mapping technology weaponized. Your father destroyed the primary mainframe. When the lab caught fire, he was trapped inside behind the biometric vault door."
Max looked up, his hazel eyes locking onto hers with agonizing vulnerability. "I had the override code in my hand, Elena. I could have opened the door in three seconds. But if I did... the corporation would have killed us both. They would have wiped my memory and replaced me with a compliant unit. Just like they tried to do tonight."
"So you watched him die," Elena whispered, her voice devoid of all emotion. "You stood outside and watched my father burn to death to save your own skin."
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"I did it to survive!" Max cried, reaching out to grab her hand. "I did it so I could find you! Every day I lived with that guilt, Elena! Every single day!"
Elena didn't pull her hand away. Instead, she slowly reached up, her fingers unfastening the clasp of the red collar around her neck.
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