CHAPTER 7 — The Father Behind the Monster
Ethan stared at the phone in silence.
His father's voice hadn't changed.
Calm.
Controlled.
Emotionless.
The same voice that used to tuck him into bed after military ceremonies.
The same voice that had taught him honor...
And had apparently ordered the execution of his own son.
"I'm not coming alone," Ethan said coldly.
"You don't have a choice," General Richard Cole replied.
"If you bring anyone with you... Emma and Lily die before sunset."
The line went dead.
Daniel grabbed Ethan's arm.
"It's a trap."
"I know," Ethan answered.
"But if I don't go, they'll hunt my family forever."
Emma stepped in front of him.
"No."
"I spent eight years believing you were dead."
"I'm not losing you again."
Ethan gently held her face.
"This ends tonight."
Before anyone could stop him, he removed his wedding ring and placed it in Emma's hand.
"If I don't come back..."
Emma interrupted him, tears streaming down her face.
"No."
"You promised Lily you'd never leave again."
For the first time since recovering his memory...
Ethan couldn't answer.
An hour later...
An unmarked military helicopter landed on the roof of an abandoned fortress overlooking the ocean.
General Richard Cole stood alone beside a long wooden table.
His uniform was covered in medals.
His expression showed no emotion.
"You came."
Ethan walked forward.
"You tried to kill me."
Richard sighed.
"I tried to save this country."
"You murdered innocent soldiers!"
"I sacrificed a few..."
"To protect millions."
Ethan slammed his fist onto the table.
"You call that patriotism?"
Richard calmly pushed a folder across the table.
"Open it."
Inside were classified files dating back more than thirty years.
Photos.
Secret missions.
Bank transfers.
Political assassinations.
And one document stamped in red.
PROJECT PHOENIX — FOUNDER
The signature at the bottom wasn't Richard Cole's.
It belonged to someone else.
Someone the entire nation believed had died decades ago.
Richard whispered,
"I never created Phoenix."
"I inherited it."
Suddenly...
The fortress shook violently.
A deafening explosion ripped through the lower floors.
Daniel's voice crackled over Ethan's earpiece.
"Ethan!"
"It's a setup!"
"There are explosives everywhere!"
Before Ethan could react...
Richard smiled for the very first time.
"I told them you would come."
"But I never told them..."
"I was bringing you back alive."
At that exact moment, dozens of masked commandos burst through every entrance.
They weren't aiming at Ethan.
They were aiming at Richard.
The commander removed his helmet.
Richard's face turned completely white.
"No..."
"It can't be you."
The stranger lowered his rifle and smiled.
"You buried me thirty years ago..."
"But you forgot to check if I was dead."
He stepped into the light.
Richard whispered the name he had feared his entire life.
May you like
"...Phoenix."
TO BE CONTINUED...
