Hidden Past 1

Alex sat behind his large mahogany desk, his expression unreadable as he stared at the folder Victor had just handed him. The air in the office felt thick with tension, but Alex showed none of it, keeping his posture calm and collected. Victor stood in front of him, arms crossed, watching his boss carefully.

"Is this accurate?" Alex finally asked, his voice low and controlled.

Victor nodded. "I double-checked everything. Isabella's father, Rodrigo De Santos, was involved in the betrayal of your family. He had a hand in orchestrating the deal that led to your grandfather's death."

Alex's grip tightened on the folder as he scanned through the damning information. He felt a storm of emotions swirl inside him—betrayal, anger, and confusion. How could this be true? Isabella, the woman who had somehow gotten under his skin, was tied to the very man who had caused his family's greatest tragedy?

"Does Isabella know about this?" Alex asked, still flipping through the documents, even though the answer was likely clear.

"There's no indication she's aware of her father's past dealings," Victor replied. "She was too young to know anything back then. But I would still be cautious. We don't know if her father might be using her without her knowledge."

Alex leaned back in his chair, letting the folder drop to the desk. He had been prepared for many things in his life—violence, betrayal, manipulation—but he had never expected this. The very thought that Isabella might have unknowingly been sent to him for a hidden agenda gnawed at him.

But he wasn't ready to confront her with this—not yet. Not until he had more proof, something undeniable that would give him clarity. He needed to know if she had any part in it. If there was any chance that her love for him was genuine or just a twisted game.

Victor watched Alex carefully, sensing his boss's inner conflict. "What do you want me to do?" he asked after a moment of silence.

"Keep this between us for now," Alex replied, his voice cold. "I'll handle it when the time is right. I don't want her knowing anything until I have proof."

Victor nodded in understanding. "And what about De Santos? Do you want me to dig further?"

"Do it," Alex ordered. "I want every detail about his involvement, every lie he's told, and every move he's made. I want to know everything."

Victor left the office, leaving Alex alone with his thoughts. He stared out of the window, his mind racing. How was he going to keep this from Isabella? They had just started to repair their relationship, and he didn't want to risk breaking her trust. But the truth about her father loomed over him like a dark cloud.

Later that evening, when Alex came home, he tried to act as though everything was normal. Isabella greeted him with a soft smile as she prepared dinner, unaware of the storm raging in his mind. She looked so peaceful, so innocent, and it made Alex's heart ache. He couldn't let his guard down yet, though. He needed to know the truth.

For now, he would play it cool—like nothing had changed. But deep down, he knew this discovery would alter everything between them. And when the time came, he wasn't sure if their fragile bond would survive the truth.