CHAPTER 7 – The Bullet That Changed Everything
The pistol was steady.
Benjamin's finger rested on the trigger.
The room was so silent that everyone could hear Eleanor's trembling breath.
She didn't run.
She didn't scream.
Instead...
She slowly opened her arms.
"My son..."
Benjamin's eyes narrowed.
"Don't call me that."
Edward stepped back, smiling.
"She'll say anything to manipulate you."
"Finish this."
Daniel took one cautious step forward.
"Benjamin... listen to us."
Benjamin swung the gun toward him.
"I said DON'T MOVE!"
The officers raised their weapons, but the detective whispered,
"Nobody shoots."
"If he panics, someone dies."
Eleanor ignored the danger.
She slowly reached into her coat pocket.
Edward's smile suddenly faded.
"No..."
She pulled out a tiny knitted blue baby shoe.
Old.
Faded.
Barely held together after twenty-five years.
Benjamin frowned.
"What is that?"
Eleanor's voice cracked.
"You lost the other one the day you learned to walk."
"You cried because you thought I would be angry."
"I carried this shoe every single day... hoping I'd see you again."
Benjamin froze.
Edward shouted,
"She's lying!"
But Eleanor continued.
"You had a tiny star-shaped birthmark behind your left ear."
"When you were sick, you refused medicine unless your father pretended it was magic."
"You slept holding my finger every night."
Tears filled Benjamin's eyes.
"Stop..."
"You couldn't possibly know that."
"I know..."
"...because I was there."
Edward suddenly pulled a hidden pistol from inside his jacket.
"If I can't have this family..."
"...no one will."
He fired.
The gunshot echoed through the office.
Benjamin instinctively turned.
Without thinking...
He threw himself in front of Eleanor.
The bullet struck his shoulder.
He collapsed into his mother's arms.
Edward laughed.
"You finally protected your real mother..."
"...how touching."
Before he could fire again...
Another shot rang out.
Edward's weapon flew from his hand.
The detective had hit it with perfect precision.
May you like
Police rushed forward.
Edward ran toward the rooftop exit.
