CHAPTER9 — THE SECRET BETWEEN THEM
Chapter 09 - CHAPTER9 — THE SECRET BETWEEN THEM
Jodi slapped him.
The sound echoed through the corridor.
Hector didn't move.
His cheek reddened.
She stared at her own hand.
"I hate you."
"I know."
"You knew."
"I suspected."
"That's worse."
He looked at her.
"I didn't know for certain."
"But you knew enough to keep me close."
"Yes."
Jodi turned away.
She wanted to run.
Instead she asked, "How?"
Hector told her.
Years earlier, before either of them understood what was happening, Victor had arranged a bloodline test. Hector's father had suspected Victor was planning to take control of the organization through Jodi.
The test showed something unexpected.
Jodi was not Victor's biological daughter.
She was Hector's.
Jodi laughed bitterly.
"That's impossible."
"My father had an affair with Elena."
"Elena was married to Victor."
"Yes."
"And my mother?"
"Elena."
Jodi stared.
Her entire life had become a lie built by people who believed they were protecting her.
"Does my mother know?"
"Yes."
"Does Victor know?"
"Victor knows."
"Then why am I alive?"
Hector's voice softened.
"Because Daniel made him believe you were dead."
Jodi closed her eyes.
"And you?"
"I found out six months ago."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because every time someone tried to kill you, I needed you close enough to protect."
She opened her eyes.
"That's not protection. That's control."
"I know."
For once, he didn't defend himself.
That made her angrier.
"You could have told me."
"I should have."
A long silence followed.
Then Jodi asked the question she had been avoiding.
"Do you regret kissing me?"
Hector looked at her.
"You kissed me."
"Do you regret it?"
"No."
Her heart betrayed her with one hard beat.
"Why?"
"Because for three seconds, you weren't afraid of me."
She looked away.
"I was terrified."
"I know."
He smiled faintly.
"That's why I remember it."
The moment almost became something else.
Then a phone rang.
Hector answered.
His expression changed.
"Victor has Elena."
Jodi went cold.
"Where?"
"We don't know."
A message arrived.
Hector opened it.
A photograph appeared.
Elena was tied to a chair.
Under the photograph was a message.
BRING JODI ALONE.
Jodi looked at Hector.
"I'm going."
"No."
"She's my mother."
"They want you."
"Then I'll go."
Hector stepped in front of her.
"I won't let you."
Jodi met his eyes.
"Then you'll have to stop me."
For the first time, Hector looked frightened.
May you like
Not for himself.
For her.
